Katie McIntyre

FTA sport's economic benefit "An independent report commissioned by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) from Oxford Economics estimates that the economic impact of public service media (PSM) sports broadcasting contributed €4.9 billion to Europe’s GDP and supported over 60,000 jobs in 2022. The findings include direct contributions from content production and broadcasting and significant indirect and induced impacts due to supply chain spending and employees’ consumer expenditure. The study also explores wider impacts, such as the way in which PSM coverage attracts sponsorship income for sport." It's a really interesting finding. Conventional wisdom is that sports is so popular that people will pay for it, and take adverts, and so there is big incentive to keep behind a paywall. It's what still is the lynchpin for #paytv and keeps it going. That's why in the UK the Premier League is on Sky on pay-TV. In Spain La Liga is on Movistar, DAZN and Orange, Germany, DAZN Sky Deutschland etc etc. And yet, when you have big events like the World Cup both mens and womens football, the European Cup, Rugby, Cricket etc. these are on FTA, and drive much greater viewing than paytv, and even with the appeal of sports, the reach on FTA is so much greater, and it will people who wouldn't normally get involved in national events, suddenly tune in. "The report also reveals the many benefits of FTA sports broadcasting on culture and society, reinforcing the pivotal and unifying role of PSM organisations in this space. “Our analysis unveils a symbiotic relationship between free-to-air sports broadcasting and economic vitality, illustrating the far-reaching ripple effects of this dynamic industry right across the continent,” commented Doug Godden, Lead Economist at Oxford Economics and author of the report. “What’s more, providing sporting action to audiences for free has great value to the public of the countries in which EBU Members operate.”....As well as providing broader economic advantages such as leveraging additional income streams for sports through sponsorship, advertising revenue and event hosting fees (and often stimulating local tourism from visiting sports fans), FTA media exposure can also help grow and expand the fan base of ‘emerging’ sports, leading to increased gate receipts and merchandising." With the move towards #FTA #streaming i.e. #FASTchannels will we see more of a move to FTA television in the #traditionaltv sphere. Will pay-TV eventually converge with SVOD? Maintaining a paywall like this? #television #sports #livesports #football #livefootball #livetv #tvindustry #mediaindustry https://lnkd.in/eQqkibjK

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Looking forward to meeting the founders of the fascinating businesses on show and listening to the great keynote speakers - Finbarr (Fin) Kirwan, Ali Donnelly & Patrick Lucey Please do pop over and say hello! #sporttechsummit #sport #sportstech

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As a leader you should always be looking to help develop the readiness, capacity and skills of your team. Here’s an example of how Mikel Arteta is building a culture of continuous development at Arsenal. #leadership #coaching #culture #work #managers https://lnkd.in/gQ2_Fyik

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GolfNewsRI TV Episode 1 - Ed Kirby #golfnewsri #golfnewsritv

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TEAMcard and Silverstone Circuit agree new expanded venue-wide partnership Silverstone Circuit, the home of British motorsport and host venue to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix has renewed with TEAMcard in an expanded agreement that will cover access control, accreditation, visitor management and verification services for the entire 155-acre site. Silverstone partnered with TEAMcard for venue access control in 2021, setting the foundations for a successful partnership that saw two record-breaking summers for racing fans entering the circuit. Matthew Evans, Business Systems Manager at Silverstone, said: "Working with TEAMcard has been a real game-changer for us. We have a whole host of different events that take place across the year attracting all sizes of crowds, from domestic race meetings to major events like Silverstone Festival, MotoGP and Formula 1. Regardless of the event size, the TEAMcard access control solution works seamlessly every time – we know we can really trust it." Now moving towards a third year in partnership, Silverstone have expanded their relationship with TEAMcard by activating the use of additional modules in the TEAMcard product stack – Accreditation, Visitor Management and Verification. These new modules will allow Silverstone to organise, manage and record the movements of every person arriving at the circuit, 365 days a year from a single system. Mike McEachern, Head of IT at Silverstone, said: "Working closely with everyone at TEAMcard has allowed us to better understand the wider product stack, and how their other solutions could work alongside access control to benefit our whole business. Stacking other modules like accreditation, visitor management and verification is allowing us to streamline more processes, collect better data and create better customer experiences across the board." For the full story, go to: https://lnkd.in/ervmHCmi #accesscontrol #accreditation #eventindustry #eventsindustry #eventmanagement #formula1 #f1 #sportbiz #sportsbiz #sportsindustry #Silverstone Daniel Huson Lee Howkins James Holifield Stephane Bazire Ben Phillips Robert Byrne Victor Leitch Josh Whittaker-Vyse Jean-Francoys Brousseau #sportsvenuebusiness #sportsvenuebiz #svblive Sports Venue Business SVB LIVE Cassandra Calleja

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⚽️💡EFL Innovation Lab 💡⚽️ 🗣️ “It’s easy to talk about innovation, but the real challenge is making it happen.” 🥅 Searching for solutions that will deliver tangible value to the EFL and its 72 member Clubs. Areas of focus: ➢ Next Generation of Fans ➢ Delivering Process Excellence ➢ Unlocking Data Insights ➢ Wildcard The EFL is now on the search for innovative suppliers, start-ups, and scale-ups. 10-week immersive programme. Selected suppliers receive expert mentorship and insights. Pilot solutions with EFL Clubs. Read more, including how to apply, in the link below. EFL (English Football League) | EFL in the Community | L Marks

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There was an interesting session on #sportforclimateaction at COP29 Azerbaijan where impact on athletes performances , future of sports, investments and best practices were discussed. World Climate Athletes has been working for a long time now to create “access to capital for grassroots clubs” an innovative concept much liked and validated at COP29 Azerbaijan with global banks, sports bodies and institutions, large corporations and fund managers as well as the United Nations. Most probably pilot will be with #Cricket. Marylebone Cricket Club has always been at the forefront of making cricket a more sustainable sport through #efficientenergy consumption, #wastemanagemet and #groundwaterharvesting amongst other things. World Climate Athletes UNDSMA United Nations Department of Sport Music The Arts #UNSportsForClimateActionFramework

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Can Irish swimming pools survive? International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) Seminar at the @AvivaStadium on October 3rd when the challenges facing Irish swimming pool provision, in the face of decarbonisation requirements, rising energy costs and aging facilities, will be addressed by leading experts. https://lnkd.in/esnE4byC #swimming #swimmingpools #sustainability #sports #localauthority Swim Ireland

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The Club Safety & Compliance Survey 2024 will be arriving to the inboxes of Clubs in the coming days (if it hasn't already) and we urge all clubs to fill it in. This will help provide vital data to the market on how clubs are handling Safety & Compliance and where the struggles and uncertainties around this sector are. If you get the chance take a moment and make your voice heard! Obbi Golf Catherine Rooney

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BTCC CONFIRMS FURTHER RULE TWEAKS FOR 2025 … Series organiser TOCA has announced some further changes to its latest regulations. These amendments were ratified during the annual meeting between TOCA and all competing teams, a number of these rules will carry significance to both the competitiveness of the racing and costs to the teams… Engine Specification : As from 1 April 2025, a two-year engine freeze will come into effect, so that no further developments can be made to the homologated engines for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. This decision ensures that the highest-level of competitiveness of each engine will remain but will also significantly save costs to the teams over the next two years. Goodyear Tyre Options : For 2025, it will be mandatory for the three overall podium finishers in Race 1 to run the hardest Goodyear tyre compound available in Race 2 – as opposed to the previous top ten finishers. With the usual exception of Thruxton – due its high-speed nature and abrasive track surface ­– all other events will carry a standard and option tyre compound, with the latter being available to use in one of the three BTCC races. Safety Car Procedure : A new safety car procedure will be introduced to ensure a smoother, closer and safer restart to all sessions. When the Safety Car lights are turned off – indicating it will accelerate away from the pack and return to the pit-lane – all cars must cease weaving, braking and/or accelerating and stay no more than two car lengths from the car ahead of them. The race leader is required to maintain approximately the same speed the safety car was using when it extinguished its lights, until the leader has passed the new ‘Restart Point’ – designated at each circuit by TOCA and to be positioned between the final corner and the start/finish control line – after which the leader can then accelerate up to racing speed. All cars must maintain their positions, with no overtaking or overlapping until they pass the green flag at the control line. Jack Sears Trophy : The eligibility rules for competitors in the Jack Sears Trophy have also been tweaked. Drivers that have previously won the Jack Sears Trophy and/or have scored more than one outright podium in the BTCC will not be eligible for the JST. Qualifying Format : Grid positions for cars that do not progress from both groups in the first Part of the Qualifying session will be changed for 2025. Those from Group 1 who do not progress into Part 2 will line up on the even numbered side of the grid and those from Group 2 on the other side – thus preventing a change in track or weather conditions having an adverse effect on those groups and their subsequent grid positions. #btcc #regulations #motorsport #toca #closeracing #costsaving #innovation

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iGolf; much ado about nothing. For those of us working in the industry, the timing of Golf Ireland's recent launch of the new iGolf plan was a no-brainer. A slow news week sandwiched between the President’s Cup and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in early Autumn is as good a time as any to unveil a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Offering a golfer the opportunity to attain an official handicap index without joining an affiliated golf club is something straight out of the Comedy of Errors. One would be concerned initially at the genesis of the thinking that began the process of introducing a new product to the marketplace that would compete head-on against one of the main revenue streams of all your members. More specifically, the proportion of your member clubs that depend on solid revenue from their Open Competitions and their chance to capture a few nomad golfers each year. If the new product is successful, it could threaten their very  existence, the development of golf in rural areas, and increase the volitivity of many golfers who are still aggrieved with the recent introduction of a new handicap system. Although its actions during Covid came across as an all-powerful governing body whose proclamations had to be always obeyed, it would be more fitting if Golf Ireland understood its relationship with its affiliated clubs. Each club is a unique business entity that must only answer to its members in how it conducts its golfing affairs. Clubs did not have to be told how to carry themselves during the pandemic and whether they accept these new handicapped players into their Open Competitions or even offer them the traditional “Golf Ireland” green fee reduction is a conversation that still must be had. I do not doubt that this debate will take place at the majority of club A.G.Ms. over the coming weeks where members will surely voice their concern at the prospect of competing against golfers who have not committed to the sport in the usual setting which is the raison detre many clubs were formed for in the first place. Golf Ireland should stick to what they are good at, primarily event management, keeping a watchful eye on the traditions of the game, and ensuring where possible that structures are in place that will develop the game to the standing it should have in Ireland – the home of five Major champions in recent years. With no sign of a comment from Golf Ireland about the possibility of sanctioning clubs that don’t recognise this new handicap index, which affiliated clubs will be perfectly entitled to do if directed to by their membership, I feel the noise created by last week’s launch will turn to silence very quickly. Open competitions are on very thin ice at the moment and this new concept is a massive danger to their future. Golf Ireland has a duty of care to the game and its membership; perhaps it should realise this sooner rather than later.

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Transform Your Sporting Venue: Innovative Ways to Attract Different Types of Events In this article from iVvy find out how your sporting venue can become the destination of choice for events of all shapes and sizes. Attention all sporting venue managers: Your venue space is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, offering more than just the thrill for sports fans. It has the potential to host exhilarating matches while being the preferred setting for unforgettable events, ranging from corporate conferences to intimate gatherings. But how can you unlock this potential and turn your venue into the ultimate choice for a variety of events? Let’s delve into some tailored strategies to transform your sporting venue into a compelling option for event planners. Emphasise What Makes Your Venue Unique Every venue has its story – what’s yours? Maybe it’s the echo of historic victories, the architectural design, impressive technologies, or perhaps an unbeatable location. Identifying these unique selling points for your sporting venue is your first step. Share these stories in your marketing efforts; let potential clients see not just a venue, but a place where their event can become part of a larger narrative. For the full story, go to: https://lnkd.in/e6nbWmJs Bryan Knapp Lauren Hall Brittany George Brad Wood Justin Miller #eventindustry #eventsindustry #eventprofs #eventhosting #sportsbiz #sportsindustry #stadia #stadiums #stadiumbusiness #sportsvenuebusiness #sportsvenuebiz #svblive Sports Venue Business SVB LIVE Cassandra Calleja The Sports Networker

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5 REASONS TO PICK CLUBROOM... 1. One meeting for all sport 2.Saves time, energy and money 3.Get the best deal with somebody to negotiate on your behalf. 4.An overall sport input with focusing on a broader range of aspects. 5. No more packages just a tailor made approach to suit your Business needs. This can include a range of Sport locations, Clubs , individuals and options. Clubroom provides speed , quick response and a good level of knowledge, experience and skill to get your business the best value for money

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The Deck’s EFL Ownership Survey – Take Part – How Confident Are You in Your Club’s Owners?

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This is an iconic deal in the landscape of English cricket and possibly world cricket. GMR Group and Hampshire County Cricket Club and its assets, currently owned by Rod Bransgrove, have agreed to an aquistion! Rod has been such a huge contributor to the game in the UK. I personally think this deal will be the catalyst to opening the gates to further Indian investment into English cricket (not new news) which points towards a bigger holistic future of players being centrally contracted by franchises (not countries). There will be mixed views on this deal and the the future of state of world cricket. https://lnkd.in/gFKvGPsN

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Following the Festival in March, a significant amount of feedback was received from racegoers that highlighted their growing concerns over the cost of accommodation locally in Cheltenham. The issue was so extreme it created newspaper headlines both sides of the Irish channel. We were left with little doubt that hotel prices had now developed into a major deterrent for people contemplating multi-day attendance at our event. Furthermore, those responsible for promoting Cheltenham and the Borough in general, were concerned about the perception the elevated hotel costs were having on the towns image as a whole. Together, we staged a number of meetings with local accomodation providers, as well members of the hospitality trade. Those who run restaurants and pubs in town were claiming they were seeing business decline as a result of raceday patrons opting to stay out of town, where overnight accomodation could be sourced much cheaper. The Festival wasn’t as good for business as it had been in the past. There was some fascinating and thought provoking debate, and I think discussing the situation so robustly and openly has led to many hotels taking a seemingly more customer centric view in regards to their prices for Festival 2025. The best outcome from all the discussion for me though was the creation of Room To Race, in partnership with Venatour Sports Travel. Room To Race is a “one stop shop” for racegoers wanting to secure accomodation, transport to and from the races, as well as other experience enhancing benefits. It’s a first in British racing, as far as I know. It is pleasing that many of the hotels who were prepared to meet with Cheltenham Racecourse post Festival have signed up to be part of the concept and I am sure those racegoers who opt to book their accommodation through Room To Race in its initial year will reap the reward. The service will only go from strength to strength as we learn what our customers want and need. Room To Race is not the final answer to tackling high accomodation costs, but it does go some way to providing a good solution for our visiting racegoers —- and along with initiatives such as the multi-day ticket offer, groups of six incentive, should bring down the cost of attendance at the Festival for many. https://lnkd.in/eJ8TZ6Rk

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📣New Today By Bruce Callis📣 The End, the Beginning, and the Future of FFS by Bruce Callis - Click the link to read - https://lnkd.in/dfACVzF3

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This white paper highlights issues and solutions to a looming problem for our sport. So whilst many say that golf is in a sunny place and they all backslap each other for a job well done, lets be real and address what the data really tells us. So to those who think its all roses and sunshine...the best time to fix the roof is when the sun is out!! Follow the link below and download our white paper.... ⛳

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Very interesting article here regarding the free-to-air sports broadcasting landscape across Europe. Some key takeaways: - Free-to-Air (FTA) broadcast contributed €4.9bn to the European economy. - Direct impact showed Public Service Media and broadcasting of sports content contributed approximately €900m and employed over 5,000 workers. - FTA sports broadcasting supported more than 60,000 jobs in 2022 across Europe. #sportsbroadcasting #europeansport

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