Football Partnerships

By Alex Kotler

To Stay or Togo

A bus carrying Togo’s national football team was ambushed last Friday by Flec-Position Militaire, a rebel group opposed to Angola’s occupation of Cabinda, on its return from training camp in the Democratic People’s Republic of Congo. Three people were killed, including the Angolan bus driver and two Togolese officials. The attack also left several players wounded, and has marred the start of the African Cup of Nations tournament. The Togolese team has pulled out of the competition, amidst safety concerns.

More, the incident has brought the matter of security in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup back to the forefront. Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, and Danny Jordaan, CEO of the LOC for the 2010 World Cup, have each responded to refute such claims and to assuage fears about South Africa’s preparedness.

Eloquently put by Togo’s captain and striker for English Premier League club Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor, clearly shaken up by the attack: “Africa has to change its image if we want to be respected.” For the moment, the problem sadly requires more than a public relations campaign.

The latest from the BBC

Ready, Setanta, Go!

Reports surfaced that News Corp., parent of Fox Soccer Channel, will take over some or all of the broadcasting rights previously held by Setanta USA, once linked to its now-defunct UK counterpart. After the network’s publicized dispute with Time Warner Cable, the Setanta USA went dark, failing to show the weekend’s Arsenal v. Everton fixture - which featured the much-anticipated debut of American star Landon Donovan.

The collapse, while unfortunate, is not unexpected. However, it leaves subscribers disenchanted and pubs infuriated - many of which paid upwards of $1,000 to DirecTV and DISH to show matches on Setanta. The opportunity meant fans of America’s top player missed seeing him notch his first Premier League points.

First Touch isn’t sorry tosee Setanta go

It pays to be good looking (and decent at football, too)

According to Tariq Panja of Bloomberg, Beckham Brand Ltd., the company created to exploit the image rights of soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria, posted a 60 percent increase in profit following his first season in Major League Soccer.

The business is jointly controlled by Beckham, his wife and Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment, and earns income from the footballer’s revenue share agreement with the LA Galaxy and arrangements with Coty Inc., the fragrance company. Following the year ending Decemeber 31, 2008, Beckham Brand’s net income $6.4 million. It rose to $15.4 million in 2009. The tally does not include deals with Adidas AG, Motorola Inc. and Newell Rubbermaid Inc.’s Sharpie pen company.

But keep your boots on Beckham: Elvis Presley Enterprises made $55 million in 2009. We’ll see what you’re really worth when you’re All Shook Up!

Tap into the Tariq technique

A bank earns its stripes

Argentina’s top flight club Racing has unveiled its new kit, produced by Brazilian brand Olympikus and sponsored by Banco Hipotecario. Refreshingly unique to the jersey is that the bank, which reportedly paid $1 million for a one-year deal, will not have its identity printed on the shirt.

The decision is a strategic - and symbolic - marketing gesture, designed to demonstrate to fans that the club, effective, is their own. The inherent risk is that this value is lost if the story is not told. Meanwhile, the choice is a gift for Olympikus which, presumably, will enjoy greater exposure and possibly be considered as both manufacturer and sponsor.

Check out the new kits

NASL reveals visual identity

Following the news that the United States would have a professional second division competing in 2010, comprised of both the United Soccer Leagues (USL) teams and those representing the North American Soccer League (NASL), the NASL released its new logo.

Have a look-see at the new logo

By the gaffer

Fox Soccer Channel and the Premier League today announced that Fox Sports International has won the bidding for the rights to show the Premier League on US television for the 2010-2013 seasons. Fox has also won the similar rights for Central and South America to its associated company, Fox Sports Latin America.

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By Nicholas Deleon

Once again, the Internet has saved the day. As some of you may know, Setanta, a sports broadcaster, recently went out of business in the UK. The unfortunate thing is that Setanta held the rights to England away matches. England play the Ukraine, in Kiev, next week, in a World Cup qualifier, so that leaves English fans without a way to watch the game. (England have already qualified, so it’s not really a huge deal.) What do do?!

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The demise of Setanta may have left English Arsenal TV in the dust, as the club begins to explore the endurance of the channel in the broadcaster’s absence.

With Arsenal TV offered to fans as part of the Setanta package, the future of the channel could change, as noted by The Telegraph. Even though Arsenal TV is currently being transmitted by Sky and Virgin Media, Setanta’s move into administration will likely have some bearing on the channel’s availability.

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By Gideon Spanier

ESPN may not be a household name in Britain but the sports giant is iconic in its native land. The pay-TV firm, which last week spent an estimated £90 million to buy the British live TV rights to 46 English Premiership football games next season, is a huge and trusted brand in America.

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