world Rugby Seals Video Archive Extension
World Rugby has renewed an agreement with IMG, which will see the agency continue to manage and license the video archive of governing body’s flagship competitions until 2024.
The agreement between the global governing body for rugby union and the sports, events and talent management company will include all archive footage from both past and upcoming tournaments.
This includes the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, Rugby World Cup Sevens and the men’s World Rugby U20’s Championship.
World Rugby content will become available on IMG’s digital archive platform, IMGReplay.com.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 is currently taking place in New Zealand, with the Rugby World Cup 2023 to follow in France next year.
Matches from both tournaments will be accessible in fully digitised archive via IMG Replay, alongside some of international rugby’s most iconic moments through history.
World Rugby Head of Media Rights Chris Synott, said, “IMG is a proven leader in this field with an intimate knowledge and understanding of World Rugby events. We are delighted to be extending our partnership with them and furthering the reach, accessibility and attractiveness of the sport on a global basis in line with our strategic vision of a global sport for all.
“IMG Replay is a world-leading platform used by sports and entertainment organisations the world over and it perfectly supports our strategic storytelling ambitions long after the final whistle has blown.”
IMG has represented the World Rugby archive for over 20 years. The company also manages the global licensing and merchandising rights for the Rugby World Cup, Women’s Rugby World Cup, World Rugby U20 Championship and the World Rugby brand, as well as sponsorship operations for the Rugby World Cup, to help drive the sport’s commercial growth worldwide.
Tom Barnes, Vice President of IMG Replay, commented, “World Rugby is home to some of the most thrilling and unpredictable moments in sporting history. We’re delighted to continue our global partnership for the next three years, giving storytellers unbeatable access to the moments that matter via IMG Replay.”
IMG Replay also holds representation deals with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), World Rugby, The Wimbledon Championships, the R&A (The Open), ATP Media, DP World Tour, UFC, and Bundesliga.
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