SPORT1 acquires media rights for men’s and women’s top competition in European volleyball

Zug, Switzerland/Ismaning, Germany, 11 January 2011 – Infront Sports & Media and the German broadcaster SPORT1 have signed an exclusive rights agreement for the coverage of the Men’s and Women’s CEV European Volleyball Championships. This is the first time that the tournament will be covered to such an extent live on German television. The agreement includes television rights (terrestrial, cable, satellite and broadband), internet and mobile rights (mobile wireless technology) on a FREE and/or PAY basis.

As partner of the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV), Infront handles the media rights for the biannual CEV European Volleyball Championships. The agreement covers the 2011 Men’s tournament from 10 to 18 September 2011 in the Czech Republic (Prague, Carlsbad) and Austria (Vienna, Innsbruck), as well as the Women’s tournament from 22 September to 2 October 2011 in Italy (Monza, Busto Arsizio) and Serbia (Belgrade, Zrenjanin).

 

Extending a successful partnership

Just recently, SPORT1 and Infront signed a long-term agreement in respect of the IIHF World Championship in ice hockey and the EHF EURO in handball; top international events where Infront also sells the worldwide media rights.

 

“With this media rights agreement, we have widened our portfolio, whilst at the same time cementing our already strong relationship with Infront”, says Zeljko Karajica, CEO of SPORT1. “We are responding to the great popularity of volleyball and strengthening its presence on German television.”

 

Stephan Herth, Infront’s Executive Director Summer Sport, says: “Having more volleyball on German television will encourage the attention of new audience groups and build even greater enthusiasm for volleyball in Germany. This is particularly important with regard to 2013, when Germany co-hosts the Women’s CEV European Championship.”

 

About Infront Sports & Media

Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years to become one of the leading international sports marketing groups in the world. Infront employs more than 500 people across 24 offices in 10 countries. It has long-lasting partnerships with around 130 rights holders and hundreds of commercial partners. Annually, it helps to deliver more than 1800 event days of top class sport and produces and distributes many thousands of hours of quality coverage.

 

Infront’s Summer Sports Division handles Infront’s substantial football portfolio, which includes distribution of the Asian broadcast rights for the 2010/2014 FIFA World Cup™ (in a joint venture with Dentsu). It works with the German Football Federation (DFB) and with many other European football associations and clubs. It is exclusive media rights advisor to Italy’s Lega Calcio for Serie A and B and the TIM Cup. The summer sports portfolio also includes partnerships with the European Handball Federation (EHF) and the Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV). Infront handled the marketing rights for the 2010 FIVB Men’s World Championship in Italy. It is also involved in motor sports through Infront Motor Sports, promoter of the FIM Superbike World Championship.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Jörg Polzer

Associate Director, Corporate Communications

Infront Sports & Media AG

Tel. +41-41-723 15 15

Fax +41-41-723 15 16

press infrontsports.com

www.infrontsports.com

 

Thomas Deterding

SPORT1 Kommunikation

SPORT1 GmbH

Tel. +49-89-96 066 12 33

Fax. +49-89-96 066 12 09

Thomas.deterding sport1.de

www.sport1.de