Shorts: ECB, Saracens, Alexander-arnold
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a new partnership with Swiss luxury watch brand Rado.
The multi-year deal sees Rado become the official timing partner of the ECB across all international fixtures for England men’s and women’s cricket.
The partnership will see Rado’s branding appear on LED boards around our international cricket venues, on the big screens and on umpire and team review graphics.
Russell James, Sales & Marketing Director at the ECB, said, “We are so proud to partner with Rado and welcome them to cricket as the ECB’s first Official Timing Partner. Rado are starting their journey in the sport at a hugely exciting time.
“This year millions of people will be glued to the action as we eagerly anticipate a joint men’s and women’s Ashes followed by an action-packed summer of International cricket, before the men’s 50-over team head off to ICC Cricket World Cup in India. We look forward to working with Rado to help continue the success England teams have seen at international level over recent years.”
Gallagher Premiership rugby union club Saracens has extended its partnerships with Destination Sport Travel and Sportsbreaks.com.
As part of the long-term extension, Destination Sport Travel, the UK’s leading travel solution for sports clubs and governing bodies, will continue to manage travel on behalf of Saracens’ men’s and women’s rugby sides, in addition to Saracens Mavericks netball.
Meanwhile sister business Sportsbreaks.com will offer Saracens fans exclusive ticket packages as part of the agreement.
Saracens Commercial Director Lucy Englander commented, “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Destination Sport Travel and Sportsbreaks.com across our men’s, women’s and Mavericks teams.
“Throughout our long-term partnership, Destination Sport Travel and Sportsbreaks.com have continued to deliver outstanding travel services for our teams and fans alike and we very much look forward to developing our relationship further with the team there.”
Liverpool FC defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has unveiled The After Academy, an initiative that will provide career opportunities for former academy players who wish to forge a new career path outside of professional football.
The PFA will also join The After Academy as a supporting partner.
Founder of The After Academy, Trent Alexander Arnold said, “I loved my time at the Liverpool Academy, it gave me everything I have today and I’m so grateful to be in the position I’m in. That feeling of lifting trophies for your childhood club is magical and I wouldn’t swap it for anything in the world, but if things didn’t work out the way they did I could have been one of those being told the dream is over. I’m fortunate to not know what that conversation is like but I know from my friends and other former players how hard it hits and how tough it can be.
“I’m proud of this programme as it looks to give another chance to those who didn’t make it, and I hope it is just a first step towards a brighter future for these young players.”
Executive recruitment company Grace Blue is expanding its sports, media and entertainment practice into North America, alongside their existing agency and consumer brand offering, and has appointed former Ryder Cup Commercial Director, Tim Shaw, to its Advisory Board.
Shaw has been a senior executive in sports marketing for over 30 years, both on the agency side and for rights holders. He is the former Commercial Director of the Ryder Cup and PGA European Tour and brings expertise across companies including the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby and IMG.
He will work closely with Managing Partner, Tim Palmer to support sports and entertainment agencies and rights holders on their leadership hires in the growing direct to consumer landscape.
Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA of America have announced bourbon whisky brand Elijah Craig as a worldwide supplier of the Ryder Cup in 2023 and 2025.
The Ryder Cup 2023 will take place at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome from 29th September to 1st October, while the 2025 edition of the biennial international golf competition will take place in Farmingdale, New York.
Max Stefka, Group Product Director Elijah Craig Bourbon, said, “It’s an honour to pair Elijah Craig’s quality craftsmanship with the unparalleled history of the Ryder Cup. Few events across the world inspire such passion and pride, and we look forward to celebrating every moment over a glass of Elijah Craig.”
Elijah Craig holds several existing partnerships in golf, as the official bourbon and whiskey supplier of the PGA of America, PGA Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and an official partner of the PGA National Club Championship.
Rangers FC has announced that Managing Director, Stewart Robertston, will leave the club in the summer, and that the board has appointed James Bisgrove as the Scottish Premiership team’s new CEO.
On Bisgrove’s appointment, Rangers Chairman, John Bennett, said, “Having transformed the club’s commercial operations, James has demonstrated outstanding credentials in the key areas of commercial delivery, talent development and leadership.
“He is ideally positioned to drive the step change in energy and restructuring that is now underway.”
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has released a trailer for ‘Countdown To Ibiza’, a preview show that will premiere on Eurosport 1 ahead of the inaugural PTO European Open in Ibiza.
The 30-minute show, which was filmed and produced by the PTO’s in-house content team, focuses on Jan Frodeno as he attempts to return to the top of the podium following a long injury lay-off and Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf, who is widely considered one of the sport’s greatest athletes.
The 2023 PTO Tour starts in Ibiza on 6th May with the first-ever PTO European Open, before going to Milwaukee on 4th and 5th August for the PTO US Open and then to Singapore for the inaugural PTO Asian Open on 19th and 20th August.
