By Paul Nicholson
December 12 – The five-year deal between Scotland’s SPFL and sports betting content hub IMG Arena will see a big step forward for sports broadcast technology company Pixellot in the European football market.
December 10 – With the threat of broadcast disruption from the broadcast streaming giants and sports ambitious social networks looming over the traditional broadcast industry, and pay tv networks in particular, a distribution deal between Canal+ Group and beIN Sports in France could indicate a trend towards a new pathway for established rights holders.
December 10 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has acquired the rights to the Women’s Euro 2021 for more than 50 European territories.
December 9 – Manchester City has built on its partnership with its official betting partner Marathonbet making the online bookmaker the club’s first training kit partner in what is reportedly an eight-figure deal.
December 9 – UEFA is set to launch a new tender for official match ball and equipment supplier status for its club competitions. The period covered is the commercial cycle 2021 to 2024.
December 6 – Manchester United have unveiled a partnership with Alibaba Group that will see club content on Alibaba’s digital platforms for the first time in China.
By Osasu Obayiuwana
December 5 – The consequences of the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to terminate its $1 billion, 12-year marketing contract with Lagardere Sports (LS) continue to reverberate at the French company, with staff of its Africa Division uncertain of their future.
December 5 – Spanish TV group Mediapro are taking UEFA to court for allegedly altering submission bids for the Champions League for 2021-2024 in favour of France’s Canal Plus and Middle East broadcasting giant beIN Sports.
December 4 – Qatari telecoms company Ooredoo has become a local sponsor of the Club World Cup which kicks off on December 11 in Doha, Qatar.
December 4 – Juventus fans are being given the opportunity to vote on the new goal celebration song that will be played when their team score at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
December 2 – Real Madrid has signed online bookmaker Marathonbest as its first club partner in Russia.
November 28 – Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain have launched the sale of the naming rights of their famous Parc des Princes. The French club has created a digital platform to test the waters, seeking a deal worth $22 million a year.
November 28 – Qatar-owned broadcaster beIN Sports has bought the TV rights for the next two editions of the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar.
November 27 – Serie A’s decision to take its Super Cup to Saudi Arabia could cost the Italian league $500 million in TV rights if beIN Sport follows through on its threat to drop the league from its schedules when the broadcast rights agreement comes up for renewal for the 2021-2024 cycle next year.
November 27 – Borussia Dortmund and Puma have extended their contract until 2028, believed to be worth a €250 million.