Legendary soccer commentator looks ahead to 2026 World Cup
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The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
LA28 to break longstanding tradition with corporate venue names at Games
For the first time in Olympic and Paralympic history, competition venues will carry corporate names during the Games, breaking from the long-standing 'clean venue' tradition. That policy, also enforced at other major events like the Fifa World Cup, requires stadiums and arenas to strip or cover all non-official sponsor branding, including naming rights signage. The aim is to protect the exclusivity of global partners who pay millions for official status. In past events, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium became 'Arsenal Stadium' for Uefa matches, and New Jersey's MetLife Stadium will be known as 'New York New Jersey Stadium' during the 2026 World Cup. The shift follows years of debate inside the IOC. Former president Thomas Bach had signaled a move towards a 'clean field of play' rather than a blanket 'clean venue' policy, opening the door for more sponsor visibility around the Games. LA28 chair Casey Wasserman said naming rights are 'truly embedded' in the US sporting culture and that many venues are already commonly known by their sponsor names. LA28 announced Thursday that Comcast and Honda will be the first naming rights partners under an IOC-approved pilot program designed to generate additional revenue for the privately funded Los Angeles Games. Comcast Squash Center at Universal Studios will stage squash's Olympic debut. Honda Center in Anaheim, home to the NHL's Ducks, will host indoor volleyball while keeping its corporate name. Other permanent venues with existing naming deals, including SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome, Arena, BMO Stadium, Peacock Theater and Devon Park in Oklahoma City, could retain their titles if their sponsors purchase the rights. 'From the moment we submitted our bid, LA28 committed to reimagining what's possible for the Games,' Wasserman said. 'These groundbreaking partnerships with Comcast and Honda, along with additional partners to come, will not only generate critical revenue for LA28 but will introduce a new commercial model to benefit the entire Movement. We're grateful to the IOC for making this transformation possible.' Under the program, up to 19 temporary venues will also have naming rights available to worldwide and LA28 partners, with the first opportunities going to members of the Olympic Partner (TOP) program. TOP sponsors will have first choice on temporary venues, followed by LA28's highest-tier domestic sponsors. Any company outside that group would need to sign on as a founding partner to gain rights. Wasserman has estimated the total value could reach nine figures, depending on the venue and location. Historically, the 'clean venue' policies have meant significant losses for venue sponsors. Marketing analysts estimate that losing naming rights exposure at a World Cup can cost between $5m and $9m for early matches, rising to $80m for the final. For 2026, Fifa has told host cities to hand over full control of their stadiums for more than a month, with all non-sponsor logos removed or covered, even on equipment and roof signage. An IOC statement described the LA28 plan as a 'pilot' that will be 'assessed for relevancy for future hosts'. It said the approach 'takes into account market realities of venue naming and generates critical revenue to stage the Games' while maintaining the principles of clean venues on the field of play. The move underscores the growing commercialization of the Games as organizers seek new funding models. LA28 will be the first US Summer Olympics in more than 30 years and aims to rely entirely on private financing to meet its estimated $7.1bn budget. Outside the new naming rights program, standard clean venue rules will still apply. The Games run from 14 to 30 July, followed by the Paralympics from 15 to 27 August.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
Comcast debuts soccer-focused video package ahead of World Cup
Aug 13 (Reuters) - Internet and media giant Comcast (CMCSA.O), opens new tab launched a soccer-focused video package exclusively for its Xfinity customers on Wednesday, as it looks to attract sports fans ahead of major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Comcast has priced the offering, called "World Soccer Ticket", at $85 a month. The bundle includes nearly 60 broadcast, cable news, and sports channels, along with a premium subscription of NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service. As cord cutting continues to hit traditional TV revenue, live sports content has emerged as one of the few formats that still draw millions of eyeballs and boost advertising demand. The package comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Every match of the quadrennial tournament will be available in English on Fox and in Spanish across Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock, Comcast said on Wednesday. The plan will also offer live coverage of major international leagues and competitions, including Premier League, UEFA Champions League, LaLiga, Liga MX and CONCACAF Champions Cup. Besides, the package will include live coverage of other major sports and leagues like the NFL and NBA on the package's networks and Peacock. Customers can access the package through X1 set-top box and Xfinity Stream TV app on supported platforms like Apple TV and Fire TV. Comcast's new offering is expected to drive demand for its networks like NBC and boost subscriber growth for its flagship streaming platform, Peacock, which had 41 million paid subscribers at the end of June, far fewer than rival platforms. Media companies are aggressively pursuing major sports deals to strengthen their streaming platforms. The newly merged Paramount secured exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to the Ultimate Fighting Championship for seven years in a $7.7 billion deal on Monday.
STV News
07-08-2025
- STV News
St Mirren 'delighted' to complete deal for return of Keanu Baccus
St Mirren have announced the return of Australian international Keanu Baccus, with the player saying he aims to recapture his best form at his 'home away from home'. Baccus left the Paisley club last summer for Mansfield after his St Mirren contract expired but has now returned, signing a two-year contract, with the option for a further year. The midfielder thrived at St Mirren first time around, making 72 appearances and scoring four goals, with his performances helping to establish him in the Australia side. He became the first St Mirren player to feature at a FIFA World Cup, representing the Socceroos at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a season at Mansfield where he played 43 times for the League One side, he said he was delighted to have returned to a place where he felt he had been at his best. 'I'm buzzing to be back,' he told the club's official website. 'They were some of the best times of my life, on and off the pitch, especially on the pitch. 'It was a year away but it felt like longer. Knowing the staff and everyone else makes it a little bit easier to settle in. It was definitely a no-brainer and I can't wait to get started. 'I probably call this a home away from home and it's nice to be wanted. I just want to find my form again, continue to grow and learn and help the club as best I can.' St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson said: 'We all know what Keanu brings. 'He's been part of our success in the early years and we're absolutely delighted to have a quality player of that stature back again. It really gives us strength in the middle of the pitch. 'He's a great boy, full of enthusiasm and he's a very good signing for us. 'Keanu has worked with us before so he knows what we want from him and he knows the level required. 'He brings a wealth of experience and loads of energy.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
