Soccer News & Notes, October 28, 2010

The FIFA Exec Committee will meet today to discuss a new format for the vote on the ’18 and ’22 World Cup host countries. The ballot reportedly "could be split to nullify the allegation that two bidding nations colluded to swap votes." By delaying the ’22 vote from Dec. 2 until early next year, FIFA "could avoid having to discipline any bids." But some committee members argued that would be "unfair on the many people who have worked hard on a bidding campaign" (LONDON TIMES, 10/28).

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is "expected to appear at a news conference" tomorrow after the two-day meeting ends (AP, 10/28).

Source: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com

English Premier League tops shirt sponsorship in Europe
Thursday, October 28, 2010

The English Premier League is this season’s leader in shirt sponsorship revenue amongst the top six European leagues. The EPL’s 128 million euros revenue leapfrogged the German Bundesliga with a 45 million euros increase.

According to the 12th edition of the European Jersey Report by global sports marketing consultancy SPORT+MARKT, the combined value of shirt deals across the top six leagues in the continent was up by 18 per cent on last season, reaching an all-time high of 470.7 million euros. English clubs Manchester United and Liverpool boast the highest deals – their new agreements with AON and Standard Chartered respectively are each worth 23.6 million euros.

Germany and France, second and fourth placed with 118.5 million euros and 58.8 million euros respectively, showed impressive increases. France benefited from the liberalisation of its betting market to overtake Spain (57.5 million euros), and Germany could be the next market to be boosted by changes in the gambling legislation.

Revenue stalled in Netherlands, which is placed sixth with 42 million euros, while the Italian Serie A was the only league to post a drop, with shirt sponsorship revenue now standing at 65.9 million euros. Two of Serie A’s two major clubs – Lazio and Fiorentina – are currently sponsorless however the league remained in the third position.

Source: SoccerEx Business Daily

MLS Sees Game Viewership Decline On ESPN2; FSC Audience Flat
By Austin Karp, Assistant Managing Editor

ESPN2 averaged 249,000 viewers for its 25 MLS game telecasts this season, down 12.3% from the net’s 284,000 average viewers for 24 telecasts last season. It is also down 1.6% from 253,000 viewers for 25 telecasts in ’08. The majority of this season’s telecasts were slotted for Thursday night in primetime, compared to the ’09 season, during which MLS games aired on various days and only had seven Thursday telecasts. The ’08 season also featured a primarily Thursday night schedule of games. The league’s most-viewed ESPN2 telecast this season was the July 4 Sounders FC-Galaxy match — a Sunday night telecast that was added after the World Cup to capitalize on Galaxy F Landon Donovan’s first game back in the league. Meanwhile, Fox Soccer Channel — whose MLS telecasts aired primarily on Saturday nights — saw its slate of 34 matches average 53,000 viewers this season, flat with last season. The net’s Galaxy-Red Bulls match on August 14, which marked the first game for Red Bulls MF Rafael Marquez, was FSC’s most-viewed game telecast this season with 144,000 viewers. Viewership figures for games on ESPN Deportes and Univision were unavailable at presstime.

MLS REGULAR-SEASON VIEWERSHIP ON ESPN2 YEAR TELECASTS VIEWERS (000)

’10 25 249
’09 24 284
’08 25 253

MLS REGULAR-SEASON VIEWERSHIP ON FSC YEAR TELECASTS VIEWERS (000)

’10 34 53
’09 31 53

NOTE: Figures include intra-MLS matches only. All friendlies excluded.

Source: www.sportsbusinessdaily.com

BMO – the Bank of Soccer in Canada – named First Founding Partner of Vancouver Whitecaps FC

. Four-year partnership extends and enhances BMO’s support of Vancouver Whitecaps FC
. Partnership has a youth focus with Kickin’ with the ‘Caps program
. BMO "Power of Blue" program continues at all Whitecaps FC MLS home games

VANCOUVER, BC – BMO – the Bank of Soccer in Canada – and Vancouver Whitecaps FC today announced a new four-year sponsorship agreement, which will see BMO become Whitecaps FC’s first Founding Partner. BMO’s new partnership with the club builds on its current five-year relationship and will focus on the bank’s continued support for youth soccer.

As Whitecaps FC’s first corporate partner in the Founding Partner tier, BMO will be the presenting sponsor of the Kickin’ with the ‘Caps community program. Kickin’ with the ‘Caps connects youth soccer clubs throughout the province of BC and integrates them into each Whitecaps FC MLS home match, providing them with a unique "field experience" and opportunities to fundraise for their club. Approximately 115 youth will participate in the program at each match.

"We’re thrilled to join Whitecaps FC as a Founding Partner as they enter into their inaugural season in MLS," said Rob Serraglio, Senior Vice President, BMO Bank of Montreal, BC & Yukon Division. "BMO is pleased to be adding its brand to the beautiful and globally popular game of soccer through this Whitecaps FC partnership agreement. The expanded sponsorship with the Whitecaps youth programs fits in very nicely with our current grassroots support of girls’ and boys’ teams across Canada."

BMO Financial Group supports soccer in Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities, to the professional level. BMO’s deep commitment to soccer is evident with their grassroots support of close to 500 youth teams nationally.

BMO will also buddy-up with youth players in Vancouver through BMO Club Nights and Whitecaps FC training sessions featuring "chalk talks" from Whitecaps FC staff and autograph sessions with the Whitecaps FC players.

"BMO has been a tremendous partner throughout the years and we are very excited to have them with us as we enter into a new era with our club," added Paul Barber, Chief Executive Officer, Whitecaps FC. "This partnership demonstrates our mutual commitment to growing the sport of soccer in BC and Canada, and as our second major partner announcement, continues to build on the excitement for Major League Soccer."

In addition to presenting the "Kickin’ with the ‘Caps" program, BMO customers will continue to enjoy BMO’s Power of Blue program at all Whitecaps FC MLS home matchers. The program delivers unique perks and privileges to customers attending BMO sponsored events across the country.

At every Whitecaps FC MLS match, BMO customers will have:

. The opportunity to get seat upgrades and VIP treatment with the BMO Move of the Match
. Unique experiences through other BMO Power of Blue elements