Shorts: Southampton Fc, New York Jets, Ospreys

Premier League football club Southampton FC has announced Somerset-based cider maker Thatcher’s as its official cider partner in a new three-year partnership.

As part of the agreement, flagship cider brand Thatcher’s Gold will be available in all bars throughout the club’s 32-000-capacity St Mary’s Stadium.

Philip McTeer, Head of Marketing at Thatchers, said, “As a proud independent, British cider maker, we’re really excited to have the chance to showcase our cider to Southampton fans and can’t wait to be part of the match day experience.”

Sarah Batters, Director of Marketing & Partnerships at Southampton FC, added “Thatchers shares our commitment to community, sustainability and building long-term success and we look forward to creating a thriving partnership over the coming years.”

English Football League (EFL) One football club Oxford United has completed it protracted change of ownership, the club has announced.

Indonesian investors Anindya Bakrie and Erick Thohir have finalised the deal that sees them take a controlling 51% stake in the U’s.

It ends Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth’s four-and-a-half-year term as owner and chairman, although the Thai businessman remains a minority shareholder.

Bakrie commented, “This is a new chapter for the club and now it is up to us, together, what we create from here.”

National Football League (NFL) franchise the New York Jets has entered into a partnership with British sports broadcaster Sky Sports for the 2022 NFL season.

The new deal provides fans with Jets shoulder programming, and exclusive team content throughout the season. Sky Sports will provide viewers with exclusive content that highlights the New York Jets.

New York Jets President Hymie Elhai, said, “We could not be more thrilled to connect with new fans in the United Kingdom through Sky Sports. The UK has become the second home of the New York Jets. This partnership allows us to provide our UK fans with Jets content throughout the season and assist with the growth of our brand and this game internationally.”

The deal was supported by SPORTFIVE. The Jets partnered with the sports and entertainment marketing agency earlier this year to expand its presence in the UK.

Welsh rugby union club Ospreys has announced Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) wearables provider Hytro as a new partner for the 2022-23 season.  

Players across the men’s first team will use Hytro wearables for matches this season with the product designed to ‘significantly accelerate recovery and improve muscle development and endurance.’

Simon Church, Head of Physical Performance at Ospreys, said, “We are pleased to welcome Hytro to the Ospreys performance departments. We will be implementing the range into our recovery menu for all players to utilise post game and throughout our return to play programme.”

UK-based marketing agency M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment has announced two new appointments.

Former Pablo & Rankin creative director, Ronaldo Tavares, has joined as Executive Creative Director, alongside Kim Walker, formerly at Brooklyn Brothers and Harbour, who now joins as Head of Strategy.

Jamie Wynne-Morgan, UK CEO at M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, said, “Our work is more varied today, and our client base stronger, than it has ever been. As a discipline neutral, passion marketing agency our strategic & creative offering must be able to pivot seamlessly between 360-degree marketing campaigns to live events to national ATL and much more.

“The formidable pairing of Kim and Ronaldo will help us do just that; their combined skillsets, along with their wealth of brand experience, will ensure we keep pushing our creative ambitions and continue to be the leading passion marketing agency in our market”