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RL Commercial Extends Sponsorship with Betfred Until 2026
Rugby League Commercial and Betfred announced a record-breaking three-year extension which means the most significant and wide-ranging commercial partnership in the sport’s history will celebrate its 10th season in 2026.
Since first linking up with Rugby League as title sponsors of the men’s Super League in 2017, Betfred have widened their support to include the men’s, women’s and wheelchair Challenge Cup competitions – including the first women’s Final at Wembley earlier this year – and the Women’s and Wheelchair Super Leagues, as well as shirt sponsorship for the England Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair national teams.
The new partnership, which represents a 25% increase on the previous record-breaking deal, includes a unique new full-size pitch covering for Wheelchair Rugby League – a transformational development for the Wheelchair game, which will be used for the first time in this Sunday’s Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final in Manchester, and again for England’s World Cup Final rematch against France at the first direct Arena in Leeds next month.
As a key part of the partnership, Betfred, RL Commercial and the Rugby Football League will continue to emphasise the importance of safer gambling, with the RFL having worked closely with other sports, the Gambling Commission and Government in recent months over the proposal of a Sports Sponsorship Code. The renewal takes into account the principles of the draft Code to ensure all parties meet their obligations.
Rhodri Jones, Managing Director of RL Commercial, said: “Rugby League’s partnership with Betfred has been hugely significant for the sport in the seven years since they first became title sponsors of the men’s Super League.
“As we look forward to Old Trafford and the seventh Betfred Super League Grand Final this weekend, we are thrilled that the relationship will continue to develop and thrive for at least another three years.
“As a company founded in Salford and still based in the north where they are significant employers, they have so much in common with Rugby League, which is a key reason why the partnership has proved so fruitful.
“Rugby League could have had no more loyal and valuable partners through the unique challenges presented by Covid-19 since 2020, and it is through those years that Betfred’s relationship with the sport has grown to include Women’s and Wheelchair Rugby League, our three Challenge Cups now with two Finals at Wembley, and our three England teams.
“There has been a feeling through the 2023 season of fully re-emerging from the long shadow of the pandemic with significant increases in attendances and viewing figures – but the increase in revenue from this deal will be vital in allowing us to deliver greater financial sustainability for our clubs, allowing them to maintain and increase the unique role they play in their communities.
“This deal is surely unique in including a bespoke pitch-covering which provides such exciting opportunities for Wheelchair Rugby League to continue its growth since last year’s World Cup triumph. It is another tangible example of Betfred’s support of all levels of Rugby League.”
Betfred boss Fred Done said: “Rugby League has undoubtedly proven to be one of our most enjoyable as well as successful sponsorships and the sport has, at all levels, made myself, my family and the entire Betfred team feel most welcome.
“The sport has been working tirelessly to become one of the most inclusive in the world and it is important that this includes the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair versions of the game so I am delighted to be able to provide the new pitch covering for Wheelchair Rugby League to help with this.
“I look forward to a weekend of fantastic finals and to at least another three years’ Betfred involvement in Rugby League.”
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Sharp Alpha Closes Fund II With Over $25 Million To Back Sports, Gaming, Entertainment Startups
Sharp Alpha Advisors announced the closing of Sharp Alpha Fund II, an oversubscribed $25 million venture capital fund investing in early-stage sports, gaming, and entertainment businesses.
Existing investments in Fund II include C15 Studio, which recently emerged from stealth mode as the operator and distributor of Formula 1’s new streaming channel. Previous investments include Almost Friday Media, Jackpot.com, and Betcha (acquired by Vivid Seats).
The fund targets seed investments ranging from $1 – 2 million. Sharp Alpha also operates a co-investment vehicle that provides limited partners the ability to invest additional capital in select deals alongside the fund.
Managing Partner Lloyd Danzig was recently named to Business Insider’s Top Venture Capitalists in Sports and ELG’s 40 Under 40. He is frequently featured by CNBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.
The fund is backed by public companies, US fnancial institutions, pro sports team owners, family offces, top venture capitalists, and funds of funds, among others.
According to Danzig, there is a signifcant opportunity at the intersection of sports, gaming, media, and technology. “The competitive entertainment category is experiencing exponential growth but at the same time is desperate for innovation that early-stage companies are best positioned to supply.”
The fund has exceeded its $25 million capital raise target and expanded the size of its deal team.
Commenting on current market conditions, Danzig explained, “we are entering the most favorable period in the last 15 years to bet on great founders.”
Sharp Alpha’s advisory board includes Keith Horn, founder of Loring Capital Advisors and former COO of Elliott Management and Global Head of Leveraged Finance at Merrill Lynch; Emanuel Pearlman, the former Chairman of Empire Resorts and board member at several public companies; Daniel Bernard, Founder and Chairman of Redwood International Sports; Roy Behren, the President and Chief Investment Offcer of a $5.2 billion asset manager; and Don Kornstein, the Vice Chairman of Caesars Entertainment and former executive at numerous successful gaming companies.
In addition to investment capital, the frm provides portfolio companies with a suite of resources and opportunities spanning fundraising, revenue generation, brand awareness, commercial strategy, fnancial planning, and product development.
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A 39-year-old man wins 40,620 EUR jackpot among 5200 participants in Starship Quest at RocketPlay
In April, RocketPlay Casino successfully concluded its Starship Quest, with a Grand prize winner taking home 40,620 EUR and a total of 163,000 EUR in bonuses distributed among participants.
The Starship Quest, an interactive journey spanning 15 levels, engaged 5200 participants from around the world. As players progressed through the quest, they collected virtual hex keys that unlocked various rewards. By the end of the event, RocketPlay had issued 15,563 bonuses totaling 163,000 EUR, with an impressive activation rate of 91%.
The Grand prize winner, a 39-year-old man, previously claimed victory in RocketPlay’s Golden Glory tournament. His latest win as part of Starship Quest in the Sun of Egypt 3 slot game by Booongo further cements his reputation for skill and perseverance in the gaming community.
“We are delighted to announce our Starship Quest winner and congratulate him on his 40,620 EUR jackpot,” said David Peterson, a representative of RocketPlay’s Customer Care team. “At RocketPlay, our priority is to offer a safe and enjoyable gaming environment. Events like the Starship Quest are designed to bring excitement and rewards to our players while ensuring their safety. We’re committed to delivering more engaging experiences for our community.”
Looking ahead, RocketPlay will host a new quest slated for early summer and special activities in conjunction with Euro 2024, featuring sports-themed jackpots and prediction contests for football fans.
RocketPlay Casino continues to prioritize player satisfaction and safety while creating innovative gaming experiences. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures and announcements in the coming months.
The post A 39-year-old man wins 40,620 EUR jackpot among 5200 participants in Starship Quest at RocketPlay appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) has signed a new five-year deal with FeedConstruct to become the league’s exclusive Betting Data & Streaming Partner until the 2028/2029 season.
FeedConstruct and NIFL have enjoyed a successful long-term partnership since the 2019/2020 campaign, solidifying their roles as the league’s data and streaming partners. This agreement will provide a considerable seven-figure investment into the leagues over the contract term.
Under this partnership, exclusive betting data will be provided globally for over 800 matches across the Sports Direct Premiership and Women’s Premiership, the Playr-Fit Championship, Premier Intermediate League, the BetMcLean Cup, Women’s League Cup, and the European Playoff matches from the summer of 2024 onwards.
FeedConstruct is a leading provider of real-time and historical sports data, as well as digital content. The company delivers innovative and cutting-edge data-feed solutions that cover pre-match, live, and post-match data to over 300 partners. Dedicated to continuously developing advanced sports products and tools, FeedConstruct provides quick and accurate data to its partners.
With its main mission to bridge the gap between sports and entertainment businesses by offering cutting-edge solutions, FeedConstruct helps its partners get the most profitable experience.
Since the formation of the NI Football League in 2013, professional football in Northern Ireland has flourished both on and off the field. This announcement is the latest in a series of positive developments from one of the fastest-growing professional leagues in Europe, which has seen an 83% increase in attendance over the past ten years, as well as record commercial deals and improved performances both domestically and in UEFA Club competitions.
Ian Forrester, NI Football League Chief Commercial Officer said, “This is another huge deal for the NI Football League, we’re delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with FeedConstruct. These are exciting times to be part of our league and there is still so much potential and opportunities for us to explore.”
“This continuation of the commercial partnership with FeedConstruct will allow us even more new opportunities to work and grow together, and we look forward to what the future holds over the next five years!” Forrester added.
Narek Harutyunyan, the Head of the Rights and Content Department, said, “We are excited to extend our partnership with Northern Ireland Football League for another five years and are committed to providing our technology and expertise to support the reach of NIFL competitions to a global audience. The extended agreement enhances our presence in the UK football rights market and demonstrates our commitment to enriching our portfolio with high-level sports content.”
This renewed five-year agreement between the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) and FeedConstruct reaffirms their successful partnership, extending their collaboration into a decade. This partnership is set to enhance the football experience by providing comprehensive and exclusive betting data for fans globally.
The post NIFL Strikes Exclusive Data & Streaming Deal With FeedConstruct appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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