Sports Business
TLA with TLC for Trey
NEW YORK, MAY 20 -- DigitalSportsDesk.com has learned that "The Legacy Agency," an athlete representation firm based in New York has signed the consensus collegiate player of the year, Trey Burke, for sports marketing and branding representation. TLA will manage "off-court" endeavors for Burke, including all aspects of sports and mainstream media marketing, product endorsements and appearances. Burke’s father, Benji Burke, of Infinite Sports Concepts will handle Burke’s NBA team contract.
It is the agency's first major deal with an NBA player as Burke, a highly projected NBA prospect from Michigan is expected to be selected as high as the fifth overall pick in next month’s NBA Draft.
Burke will be represented by Brandon Swibel in TLA’s Talent Marketing division. The agency represents a gaggle of current and former sports stars and broadcasters, including the NFL's Reggie Bush, MLB and New York Yankees star pitcher CC Sabathia, former Dallas Cowboys QB and current Fox Sports broadcaster Troy Aikman and other professional athletes, broadcasters and coaches.
Trey Burke recently completed his sophomore season at the University of Michigan as the consensus National Player of the Year for the 2012-2013 season. He will enter the NBA as one of the most marketable young stars after taking home the prestigeous John Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, AP National Player of the Year Award, the US Basketball Writers' Oscar Robertson Award, along with the National Association of Basketball Coaches award as Player of the Year Award. Burke also won the Sports Illustrated National Player of the Year Award and the Bob Cousy Award given to the nation’s top point guard by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Burke was a consensus first team All-American and was named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year in 2013.
Burke will be among the top 10-15 rookies invited to the NBA Draft by the league which will stage the event at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 27th. The NBA Draft is televised by ESPN.
And1 and IMG Match-Up for Hoops
(From Official News Release)
NEW YORK, May 2013 -- The AND1 apparel and sneaker brand recently announced a partnership with IMG, one of the world’s largest and most respected sports and entertainment agencies, to create a new signature basketball tournament in the summer of 2013, featuring all the elements that have become legendary in basketball, music and pop culture circles. AND1 has been an integral brand in the growth and development of street basketball for 20 years. Its events have featured some of the playground’s greatest legends, many of whom have gone on to play professionally in the NBA and around the world. Their events have been seen by hundreds of thousands of fans in arenas on five continents, have sold more than 20 million DVDs and aired on ESPN for years where it was seen by millions and inspired aspiring ballers worldwide.
"We are very proud to partner with IMG to create this signature event,” said Maurice Levy, Marketing Director for AND1. "In addition to our iconic apparel and footwear collections, AND1 is all about our events which highlight the finesse and mastery of the game of basketball. We’re looking forward to using this new concept as a signature element in the next step of our exciting story.”
AND1 basketball events combine a love of music with some of the greatest individual freelance basketball talent from around the world, playing together with creativity and style, to build legendary reputations for its stars in the worlds of both urban contemporary and hoops culture. The basketball apparel line and the events now form the cohesive AND1 branding and marketing platform upon which the brand was originally launched and where it enjoyed its biggest success.
“AND1 has always been known for its credibility and its creativity, and we are excited to help expand what is the engine behind much of that creativity – signature AND1 Streetball events,” said Jay Ogden, Senior Vice President of IMG. “We are looking forward to a long-term and truly global relationship with our new partner.”
Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Launched in 1993 in Philadelphia, and now re-organized and headquartered in New York, AND1 has been a shoe and apparel brand that has celebrated and championed grassroots basketball culture. The mission remains the same as it always has been, to focus on those who are passionate about basketball and use the game as a metaphor success in everything they set out to do in life. The celebration of hard work, freedom of expression and dedication to excellence is reflected in the unique and iconic product that the brand has and will continue to create for both the dedicated player and the casual competitor. For more details on the brand vision and programs visit http://www.and1.com and follow AND1 on Twitter @And1basketball
IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at www.imgworld.com Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/IMG_Worldwide and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IMG-
Records be brokin' and the Streak be endin'
Special to DigitalSportsDesk from Staff and Official Press Release accounts)
BOSTON, April 10, 2013 -- Get your tickets. Get your Red Sox tickets. Get them now.
Hours before the 7:00pm start of the Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox game on a damp, cold, grey night in the Fens, the Boston Red Sox offically announced their Major League Baseball club record of 794 regular season games of full or over capacity sell-outs games at Fenway Park, spanning nearly 10 years, was ending tonight during the second home game of the 2013 season. Minutes before gametime, that club prediction was imminently true, as very few fans were at the turnstiles with rows of empty seats visible in the three decks of the historic pillbox stadium.
Said the club;s release; "The streak, which started May 15, 2003 and continued through April 8, 2013, spanned 794 regular-season games and 820 games at Fenway Park, including postseason games. It is the longest record of its kind in major professional sports for the regular-season, and for the regular season combined with postseason play. The club has averaged 36,605 tickets sold per game during this period. (Fenway Park’s seating capacity was only 34,807 in 2003, when the streak began.) The previous record in Major League Baseball was 455, set by the Cleveland Indians between 1995 and 2001, when they won six consecutive Division Titles and two American League Championships. Red Sox fans surpassed that total on September 8, 2008. The longest professional streak in all major league sports, including postseason play, was formerly held by the Portland Trailblazers at 814 games.
During the Fenway streak, the club reached the postseason six times, made major renovations to preserve, expand, and improve Fenway Park, and overhauled the fan experience.
“The streak is a reflection of a phenomenal period of baseball in Boston and of America's greatest ballpark,” said Red Sox Principal Owner John W. Henry. “But more than that, it is a testament to the baseball passion of New England fans. As we close the book on this incredible era, we look forward to another with a renewed certainty that the next couple of generations of Red Sox fans will also be enjoying baseball at the ever magical Fenway Park.”
“We have all experienced a wonderful combination of compelling baseball, a revitalized ballpark, and an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality,” said Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner. “I’d like to thank publicly our players, coaches, managers, our architects, our designers and construction workers, and our front office and day of game ballpark staff. Their work, together, connected with Red Sox Nation—passionate fans who helped take this team and this park to these heights. It is these fans to whom we are most grateful.”
“We are proud of this historic achievement,” said Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino. “Over the past ten years, more than 30 million, many among the most sophisticated baseball fans in America, have purchased tickets to see games at Fenway Park. Never in that period was there a crowd less than 32,000. No other club in Major League Baseball can make that statement. That speaks volumes about the constancy and dedication of New England baseball fans.”
On May 15, 2003, the day the streak began, Pedro Martinez pitched six scoreless innings in a 12-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. The game featured a pair of doubles by Johnny Damon, a pair of triples, by Bill Mueller and Nomar Garciaparra, and three hits by David Ortiz in his first year with the club. After the game, the Red Sox, at 26-14, trailed the first-place New York Yankees (27-13) by one game.
During the nearly 10 seasons of the streak, the Red Sox won two American League pennants and two World Series Championships. They were the American League Wild Card entry five times and won the 2007 American League East Division title.
Also in that span, the club saved and renovated Fenway Park, providing more seats, amenities, and spaces. The ballpark experience was improved with new menu options, reduced concession lines, and new elements reflecting the history of the 100-year-old ballpark. The Red Sox ownership group invested approximately $285 million in the 10 years of major improvements – the largest investment in the ballpark’s history.
The club also improved the fan experience to be more hospitable to families and children, and expanded the number of standing room tickets made available to the general public.
Stats for the Nats
(Staff Report and Official Press Release)
WASH DC - April 5, 2013 -- The reigning National League Eastern Division Champion Washington Nationals and Bloomberg Sports, the world’s leaders in sports analytic technology, today announced a new partnership to design a state of the art player evaluation system for the club's Baseball Operations Department. This new partnership is the latest step in analytic technology for Bloomberg Sports, which has been a leader in creating solutions for MLB teams, players and fans for the past four years.
The Nationals new system will combine a number of diverse data sources on all professional players with customized and enhanced technology to assist the evaluation process. The platform is being created with both laptop and mobile capability, and the two parties will begin implementation and development of the new system immediately.
“We have a need in our business today to manage data quickly and efficiently to make sure we are maximizing the performance of all our assets on and off the field. No one can help us manage all that data more effectively than Bloomberg Sports,” said Mike Rizzo, Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager. “We have a need to make sure everyone in our baseball operations department has access to the best tools to properly evaluate our players, from prospects to the players on our Major League roster. This partnership will make the evaluation process more robust for individuals at all levels of our organization, and will help give us the best chance to be successful not just today, but well into the future.”
“We are delighted to partner with the Nats to bring our unparalleled technology and support to their goal of providing their organization with the best possible tools,” said Bill Squadron, President, Bloomberg Sports. “They had a great season last year and we are very pleased to provide a system for Mike and his team that can help give them the best opportunity to continue to be highly successful.”
WNBA turns a Sweet 17
(From Official Press Release)
BRISTOL, CT - March 28, 2013 -- The Women’s National Basketball Association and ESPN have extended their partnership for another six years, paving the way for WNBA games to be televised on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 through 2022. The announcement was made today by John Skipper, President of ESPN, Inc. and Co-Chairman of the Disney Media Networks, and Laurel J. Richie, WNBA President.
The new agreement, which extends the WNBA’s television relationship with ESPN to 26 years, coincides with the first-ever primetime telecast of the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm on Monday, April 15 at 8 p.m. ET. Up to 30 live games will be televised on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 each season, including exclusive telecasts of the WNBA Finals presented by Boost Mobile.
“Our enhanced television agreement reflects ESPN’s extraordinary commitment to women’s sports and to the WNBA,” said Richie. “The extension has been a catalyst for the WNBA and ESPN to bring forward fresh thinking ideas to better showcase our players, our game and our league.”
“We are thrilled to extend our agreement with the WNBA, a dynamic relationship that will extend over two decades,” said Skipper. “This strengthens ESPN’s commitment to the league and helps solidify us as the home of women’s sports content.”
Under the expanded agreement, ESPN and the WNBA are exploring a host of enhancements, all designed to give fans greater access and new perspectives on the game:
· Referee Cam – special mini-cameras worn by referees during select games give fans an official take on the action;
· Look Ins – new level of access to practices, shoot arounds and locker rooms pregame and during half time provide close up look game day preparation;
· Current and former NBA Player Commentators – a player’s perspective of the women’s game.
This increased access comes during what will undoubtedly be a breakout year for the WNBA as the league welcomes a highly touted draft class. ESPN’s WNBA schedule tips off on Monday, May 27 featuring a doubleheader and an in-depth look at the 2013 “3 to See’s” transition from college to the WNBA.
New WNBA Identity Unveiled
Along with the extended ESPN agreement, the WNBA is also introducing a new brand identity. The refreshed identity reflects how far the level of play has come in 16 years as stronger, more agile players have made the game more competitive. The cornerstone of the new WNBA visual identity is a more modern “Logowoman” -- the player silhouette within the logo -- that better embodies the athleticism and diversity of today’s WNBA players while leveraging the distinctive orange-and-oatmeal color scheme of the league’s iconic game ball.
Debuting on Monday, April 1 in support of the upcoming 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, the new identity will be seen across all WNBA assets, including team uniforms, broadcast, digital, signage and print materials. WNBA teams will adapt the new WNBA logo to their colors to communicate their affiliation with the league.
In addition, the league will launch a viral media effort under the “I Am Logowoman” theme. Powered by players, the campaign is designed to engage fans in celebrating WNBA athletes – past and present – who have propelled the game forward. Players and fans will be encouraged to post shots and photos of themselves going to the basket using the “#iamlogowoman” hashtag.
“As a WNBA player, the logowoman represents so many things to me,” said Chicago Sky forward Swin Cash. “It is a symbol of strength, growth and leadership. The new version not only celebrates the trailblazing work of the WNBA, but also past, present and future players. Like our players, she's sleek, smooth and ready to ball. The biggest question is who is logowoman? She does seem to have my physique."
New adidas WNBA Uniforms for 2014
In recognition of this new generation of female athletes and as a part of its long-term commitment to the WNBA, adidas and the WNBA are announcing plans to introduce new uniforms for the 2014 season. Currently in development, the uniforms incorporate performance and style elements specifically engineered and designed to meet the diverse needs of today's high performing women's basketball players.
About the WNBA
The WNBA – which features 12 teams and is the most successful women’s professional team sports league in the world – is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity. The league, which counts Boost Mobile as its leaguewide marquee partner, will tip off its 17th season in the spring of 2013.
AND1 Gives $5,000, and Gear to St. Francis deSales Camp
-- Basketball Apparel and Shoe Company Helps Parish Rebuild Courts in Post-Hurricane Sandy Fund-Raiser --
NEW YORK, March 12, 2013 - The AND1 recently announced that it will provide youth basketball apparel and donate seed money to help rebuild the legendary St. Francis de Sales summer basketball program in Belle Harbor, New York. The Rockaway peninsula parish’s outdoor basketball courts, which serve over 1,000 participating youngsters from the entire New York area, were destroyed during Super Storm Sandy last October 29th. The AND1 apparel and a $5,000 donation to help restore the flood-ravaged outdoor courts will give the legendary basketball summer program a much needed-boost as the warmer weather approaches and basketball campers prepare for their annual ritual of playing at basketball camp in The Rockaways. AND 1, an iconic fixture in the global basketball culture, recently began its own re-launch in celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary.
"There are few communities anywhere in the country where basketball is so tightly woven into its fabric than the Rockaways, and there are even fewer legendary summer programs than those at St. Francis de Sales,” said Maurice Levy, Marketing Director for AND1. "This donation of apparel and seed money will be a good step towards helping heal a community on the rebound, where basketball is so important. AND 1 has always been about using the game as a metaphor to never give up in life, and we believe that mantra mirrors the values of the hoops culture of The Rockaways. By working together, we can help some very deserving basketball campers and their hard-working families.”
"St. Francis is the backbone of the community in the Rockaways, but it is also the summer basketball home for everyone from Dick McGuire and Julius Erving to Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson and thousands of young people who play on these courts from morning until night every day," said Terence Mullin, camp director and coach for St. Francis de Sales. "This assist by AND 1, a brand that has always understood the power of a basketball culture, will give us a much needed boost as our kids return to the courts and the youth programs this summer. They understand the value of keeping kids active through a sport like basketball, and now we will again have the ability to do that.”
The $5,000 will jumpstart a brand new campaign with a goal to raise $100,000 to fully restore the damaged grounds and basketball courts. AND1 will provide uniforms for the participants in the summer league program which tip-off in June. The St. Francis de Sales Summer League annually plays host to over 1,000 young players, ages five to 18, know as one of New York’s most vibrant Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) programs. Many of the sport’s rising high school and collegiate stars play summer basketball in Rockaway, the summertime home to organized basketball for over 70 years.
Launched in 1993 in Philadelphia, and now re-organized and headquartered in New York, AND1 has been a shoe and apparel brand that has celebrated and championed the grassroots basketball culture. The AND1 mission remains the same as it’s always has been -- to focus on those who are passionate about basketball and use the game as a springboard to success in everything they set out to do in life. The celebration of hard work, freedom of expression and dedication to excellence is reflected in the unique and iconic product that the brand established 20 years ago and will continue to create for both the dedicated player and the casual competitor. For more details on AND1’s new offerings, restored vision and its programs visit: http://and1.com
ABOUT St. Francis de Sales:
More information on the parish’s summer basketball programs and its fund raising, visit: Http://www.stfranciddesales.kintera.org
