Sport and Technology - February 2008  

Sport and Technology - February 2008  

*************************************************************
Welcome to the final issue of Sport and Technology, the monthly ezine published by SportBusiness and ArkSports, delivering insight on the impact of technology on sport to over 8,000 sports executives every month.

Sport and Technology will no longer be sent out after this issue, but occasional articles will be added to the website.

Subscribe to SportBusiness International to receive the new quarterly Sport Media Technology Supplement which is replacing this ezine. See www.sportbusiness.com for further details.

******************************************************************

Features

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/

View From the Editor: And now the end is here - February 2008  
 
S&T says goodbye and looks back over an enjoyable few years of sports-technology-related japery. "After nearly five years and a mammoth consecutive 58 missives without so much as a golden handshake nor a month off for good behaviour, S&T is hanging up our wizened keyboard and retiring to a villa in Switzerland!" Or are we?!

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0568.html

**********************Events*************************

Sport and Technology: The Conference 2008, in association with BT Media and Broadcast,
returns to BT Centre on London, Friday 13 June 2008

Now in its fourth year, this high-acclaimed event will bring together an array of sports properties and technology/digital solutions providers to discuss what’s hot and what’s not in the fast-paced world of technology and sport.

Find out how to register for this event which is expected to sell out quickly by clicking visiting www.sportandtechnologyconference.com.

For details of how to become a commercial partner, contact Adam Barker at SportBusiness on +44 (0) 20 7954 3481 or e-mail adam.barker@sportbusiness.com

************************************************************

Comment: Looking back, part 1 - February 2008  

Representatives from a selection of sports properties were asked to cast their minds back to when S&T was just a baby and answer the question: ‘Which technology has had the most impact on sport in the last five years?’
 
http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0569.html

Comment: Looking back, part 2 - February 2008

Representatives from a selection of industry service providers answer the same question: ‘Which technology has had the most impact on sport in the last five years?’
 
http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0570.html

Case Study: No seven-year tennis itch for Gearhouse Broadcast - February 2008

International broadcast facilities company Gearhouse Broadcast has recently been awarded the Technical Facilities Contract for the ATP Masters Series for the next three years by ATP Media. S&T looks at what the deal involves.
 
http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0571.html

**********************Sponsor*************************

Getty Images - Sponsor of Digital Photography for Sport and Technology

Getty Images is the world's leading Imagery Company. With customers in more than 100 countries, and with content ranging from news, sports and entertainment photography to contemporary imagery and specialist assignments, Getty Images' products are found each day in advertising, newspapers, magazines, brochures, films, television, books and websites around the world. In a sports capacity, Getty Images is a specialist in serving the sports imagery needs of the world's rights-holders, sponsors, press and related businesses. Our business is enabled by the world's best sports photographers, and we maintain long-standing relationships with sport governing bodies and leagues, such as the International Olympic Committee, NBA, Manchester United, Cricket Australia, AFL, UEFA, IRB, the European Tour, NHL and many more. Getty Images is expert at maximising the visual impact of our clients'brands.
To find out more, please visit www.gettyimages.com, or contact:Americas: Carmin Romanelli +1 646 613 4109 Asia Pacific: Arran Birchenough +649 929 1894 EMEA: Marc Webbon +44 20 7428 5294

***********************************************************

Feature: Why Bingo is getting a facelift - February 2008

Tom Lippiett, a solicitor in the betting and gaming group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, looks at why bingo is becoming an online gaming sensation.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0572.html

Announcement: Sport and Technology: The Conference returns to BT Centre - February 2008  

The highly acclaimed Sport and Technology: The Conference is returning to BT's state-of-the art facilities at BT Centre in London, UK, on Friday 13 June 2008.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0573.html
 
Feature: What's next for the beautiful game? – February 2008  

A unique study published in February 2008 by Orange and Football Fans Census reveals that robotic linesmen, microchip communication and soccer pitches packed with technology could become a reality much sooner than we think.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0574.html

**********************Sponsor*************************

Infostrada Sports - Sponsor of Sport and Technology's Databox

"Sport and Technology gives us the opportunity to present ourselves directly to the decision makers and influencers of our industry, increasing our brand awareness and communicating our services in a most effective way." Infostrada Sports is a worldwide provider of comprehensive sports information products and services. We are the ultimate source for statistics, historical results, biographies, news, reports and infographics ranking from football and formula 1 to fencing. Operating from five countries, we are dedicated to giving you access to the best sports information available anywhere. We answer any specific research question you have, offer full services for Internet, mobile platforms, on site and offline projects. We supply information digitally or in print to newspapers, magazines, radio & TV stations, web sites, SMS and WAP providers, event organisers, federations and sponsors.
Anything is possible as long as sports are part of the game!
For more information about Infostrada Sports, take a look at www.infostradasports.com or contact Philip.hennemann@infostradasports.com

***********************************************************

Show Preview: SportAccord 2008 looks at the future of sport - February 2008 

A preview of the event that will be held in Athens in June 2008.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0575.html

Infostrada Sports' Databox - February 2008

Final data from the archives at Infostrada Sports.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/features/0576.html

**********************Sponsor**************************

ICG - Desk-top Applications Sponsor of Sport and Technology

Digital communications company Interactive Communication Group (ICG) has developed i-comm, a patented online communication platform delivering permission-based, targeted rich media messages. i-comm can deliver high quality interactive messages such as full-screen video, music, newspapers, games, customer surveys and high quality images to the targeted consumer's computer desk-top and beyond. It incorporates the best aspects of the traditional marketing mix, providing the rich and dynamic impact of advertising, the targeting capabilities of direct mail and the measurability, interaction and timeliness of the internet. Creating an i-comm community can open up an entirely new level of dialogue with consumers in a 2-way relationship. Visit www.icginternational.com for more info about ICG or http://icomm.icginternational.com/icomm/generic/ for a free demo of i-comm, or contact Marc Hempel at marc@icginternational.com.

************************************************************

News

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/

Competition for S&T readers  - February 2008
 
S&T has a free copy of a major new report, Brands in Football Europe, to give away to one of you lucky readers.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#01

ESPN gets digital in Europe  - February 2008

Global sports media company ESPN has created a new Digital Media department for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#02

**********************Events*************************

SPORTELAsia 2008, 3-5 March 2008, Shanghai

SPORTELAsia will be the year's largest and most important gathering of international sports television and content executives prior to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Like its sister-markets, SPORTELMonaco and SPORTELAmerica, SPORTELAsia 2008 will be a focal point for those involved with any aspect of sports programming and sports content across all distribution platforms.
Whether you are selling, buying, developing, producing or delivering sports content on a global basis SPORTELAsia 2008 will be your best opportunity to network, exchange ideas, meet clients, conduct business and make new contacts from around the world.

For further information please contact: Liliane or William Vitale, Vital Communications, e-mail: sportelsales@sportelsales.com or visit www.sportelmonaco.com

***********************************************************

Face off for CBSSports.com - February 2008  

CBSSports.com has developed and will host an official NCAA March Madness Brackets application that will be offered and promoted to Facebook users.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#03

NBCOlympics.com’s speedy coverage - February 2008  

NBCOlympics.com, in conjunction with the World Championship Sports Network, provided live coverage of the recent Samsung ISU World Cup Short Track event.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#04

Chicago Cubs in high definition - February 2008  

For the first time, all 162 Cubs games will be available in high-definition in the Chicago area when the new season starts at the end of March.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#05

**********************Events**************************

Soccerex London Forum, 9 April 2008, Wembley Stadium, London

"The networking opportunities are phenomenal. It is a very intensive day, but a very exciting day." (Johan Jervøe, corporate vice president, global marketing, McDonalds)

Within its short three-year history, the Soccerex London Forum has imbedded itself into the soccer business calendar as THE one-day event for the soccer industry. An intensive day of high level networking and incisive debate, the Soccerex London Forum brings together the biggest international 'players' to learn, network and do business. 

For more information, please contact enquiry@soccerex.com /+44 (0) 208 742 7100/ www.soccerex.com/london

*****************************************************

Canal Plus and Orange win French Ligue 1 rights - February 2008  

The Ligue de Football Professionnel in France has agreed deals worth a total €668m a year over four years with French pay-broadcaster Canal Plus and mobile operator Orange for its audiovisual rights.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#06

Scrum.com drives a new deal - February 2008  

Scrum.com, the global rugby portal owned and operated by ESPN, has reached agreement with luxury car maker, Land Rover, for the brand to sponsor the website's Six Nations Fantasy League game.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#07

US confusion over DTV - February 2008  

Seventy four percent of US citizens who are aware of the upcoming transition to digital television have serious misconceptions over its impact according to a new survey.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#08

Skateboarders ramp up in virtual park - February 2008  

Makena Technologies, creator of the social virtual world There.com, and MTV Networks have unveiled a new Virtual Skatepark inside MTV Networks' virtual worlds.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#9

Online sports video on the up - February 2008  

Research company Screen Digest forecasts that US revenues from domestic online sports video consumption will increase from $762m in 2007 to $2.3bn in 2012.

http://www.sportandtechnology.com/news/0577.html#10

********************Events*******************

SportAccord, 2-6 June 2008, Athens, Greece

Online Registration is now open for the 6th edition of SportAccord to be held in Athens, Greece, between 2-6 June 2008. On our return to Europe, we can look forward to the exciting backdrop of Athens - host to both the first and the most recent Summer Olympic Games. Our confirmed venue is the Hilton Hotel in the heart of the city.
If your organisation would like to increase your presence by exploring the opportunities to sponsor or exhibit, please contact Fiona Lunnon or Polly Hammond in London on +44 (0)207 963 7890.
Exhibition and sponsorship packages are going fast so please do get in touch as soon as possible.

Visit www.sportaccord.com  for further details.

**********************New Report*************************************

The Global Business of Poker - Second Edition - £795

Written by Rachael Church-Sanders, this report provides an invaluable market overview of the fast-moving multi-billion dollar poker industry. The growth in the poker industry has been fuelled by many factors including increased television exposure, celebrity participation, high net-worth prizes and ease of online access through broadband penetration. Despite draconian anti-online gaming regulation in the US, the continuing relaxation of previously strict rules in the UK and moves in the European Union against monopolistic gaming laws offer Poker companies new opportunities.
This invaluable report provides case studies of the major poker companies in the world and analyses them to determine their business models and revenue streams as well as who the winners and losers will be. It also includes the results of a major industry survey asking sports professionals their opinions on the poker industry and where it is headed.
The Global Business of Poker – Second Edition is aimed at professionals within the sports industry such as technology companies, bookmakers, games producers, broadcasters, telecoms companies, lawyers, consultants and investors, as well as at sports properties that might be considering sponsorship from a poker company.

For further details contact Ian Larcombe (ian@igamingbusiness.com); Tel: +44 (0) 20 7954 3412 or visit www.sportbusiness.com

********************Company Profile*******************

Sport and Technology (www.sportandtechnology.com) is published by SportBusiness Group (www.sportbusiness.com).

For further information contact Rachael Church-Sanders (Editor) at rchurch@sportandtechnology.com.

Contact adam.colthorpe@sportbusiness.com regarding commercial opportunities.

The views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of SportBusiness unless stated, but we welcome your comments on all areas of the newsletter in the feedback section at: http://www.sportandtechnology.com

This article was seen first by people who receive the monthly newsletter, join them.