Ministry of Sport

Callaway Golf Extends Australian Golf Governing Body Partnerships Through 2029

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

Global golf equipment manufacturer Callaway Golf has announced a three-year extension of its unified commercial partnership with Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia, and the WPGA Tour of Australasia.

The multi-body renewal secures Callaway’s commitment across all tiers of the Australian golf ecosystem through to 2029, spanning elite professional events, community participation, workforce education, and grassroots facility development.

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Callaway will maintain its equipment and commercial support across all major domestic men’s and women’s professional tournaments.

Beyond competition, the partnership broadens Callaway’s footprint into GA Club—Golf Australia’s dedicated facility and club support initiative—to drive player retention, expand all-abilities participation, and strengthen operational resources for golf clubs nationwide.

Highlighing the value of long-term commercial alignment across all national golf bodies, Golf Australia and PGA of Australia chief commercial officer, Ben Sellenger, said: “Callaway has been a valued partner of Australian golf for many years, and we’re delighted to be continuing that relationship through to 2029.”

“The strength of this partnership is the breadth of its support, from our major events across the men’s and women’s games to membership, education and our work with clubs through GA Club.

“Growing golf is a collective effort, and having partners like Callaway who share our ambition to get more Australians playing and enjoying the game is incredibly important,” Sellenger said.

Underscoring the brand’s commitment to supporting sustainable growth across the region, Callaway Golf South Pacific managing director, Matt Meredith, added: “We are incredibly proud to renew our partnership with Australian golf for another three years.”

“Growing the game and helping people enjoy golf is at the heart of everything we do at Callaway.

“This partnership enables us to support participation across all levels of the game, from juniors and women to competitive golfers and all-abilities participants.

“We share a belief that golf should be accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Golf Australia, PGA of Australia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia and helping the game thrive for years to come,” Meredith said.

Commercial Scope and Grassroots Integration

The unified agreement embeds Callaway across the national sports delivery framework:

Professional & Elite Tournaments: Comprehensive equipment and activation support for major professional events aligned with the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia.
Golf Australia Magazine
GA Club & Facility Support: Direct involvement with GA Club initiatives designed to assist affiliated venues, club administrators, and PGA professionals in growing local participation.
Inclusive Participation Pathways: Targeted investment into junior, female, and all-abilities golf programs to expand accessibility across metropolitan and regional facilities.

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Sky Sports Secures Exclusive UK and Ireland Broadcast Rights for Inaugural Women’s TGL (WTGL)

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports has secured exclusive live broadcast rights across the UK and Ireland for WTGL, the new tech-focused women’s team golf league launched in partnership with the LPGA Tour and TMRW Sports.

The two-year agreement covers the 2026 and 2027 seasons, expanding Sky Sports’ golf broadcast portfolio alongside a two-year rights extension for the men’s TGL presented by SoFi.

The inaugural WTGL presented by SoFi season launches on 8 November 2026 at the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Every regular-season fixture and the post-season play-offs—scheduled for 20 to 23 December—will broadcast live across Sky Sports platforms. The competition mirror’s the men’s tech-driven format, incorporating mic’d-up players, real-time risk-reward shot decisions, and varied match-play structures within an arena setting.

Inaugural WTGL Rosters and League Structure

The league features five founding franchises, each featuring a five-player roster of elite LPGA Tour athletes. Across the 25 total players, the rosters combine for 15 major championship titles and 48 Solheim Cup appearances:

Atlanta Drive: Charley Hull, Minjee Lee, Yuka Saso, Andrea Lee, Nataliya Guseva
Boston Common Golf: Céline Boutier, Megan Khang, Chizzy Iwai, Lottie Woad, Ina Yoon
Los Angeles Golf Club: Michelle Wie West, Alison Lee, Gaby Lopez, Aki Iwai, Kiara Romero
Motor City Golf Club: Jeeno Thitikul, Brooke M. Henderson, Lexi Thompson, Ruoning Yin, Albane Valenzuela
New York Golf Club: Lydia Ko, Rose Zhang, Danielle Kang, Linn Grant, Yana Wilson

Men’s TGL Season Three Expansion

Sky Sports has also confirmed extended rights for the men’s TGL, which expands to seven teams for its third season launching on 27 December 2026 at the SoFi Center. Season three introduces at least 12 new PGA Tour players to the circuit.

Opening night double-header fixtures feature Rory McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf—featuring off-season signing Shane Lowry, facing expansion franchise Motor City Golf Club, led by Brooks Koepka and rising star Jackson Koivun.

The second fixture sees a rematch of last season’s SoFi Cup Finals, with Tiger Woods’ Jupiter Links Golf Club competing against defending champions Los Angeles Golf Club, headlined by Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.

LeBron James’ Representatives Issue Cease-and-Desist to ‘Bron AI’ Sports Betting App Over Unauthorized Likeness

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

Legal representatives for NBA superstar LeBron James have served a formal cease-and-desist letter to PlayVision Inc., the developer behind the sports betting app ‘Bron AI,’ demanding an immediate halt to the unauthorized commercial exploitation of James’ name, image, and likeness.

The action follows a promotional advertisement for Bron AI depicting a figure resembling James wearing a No. 23 jersey featuring “Bron” across the back. The app markets itself as an artificial intelligence aggregator that compiles sports betting picks and data analytics from sportsbooks and prediction markets.

James’ legal counsel, attorney Lawrence Shire, emphasized that the promotional campaign creates a false association between the athlete and the betting platform while falsely implying James’ participation in basketball gambling—a direct violation of NBA rules and regulations.

Executive Commentary and Industry Impact

Spokespersons and media advisers for James confirmed that legal proceedings will proceed if the platform fails to comply fully with the demand.

“LeBron is in no way affiliated with this unauthorised use of his likeness,” a spokesperson for James said.

Longtime media adviser to LeBron James, Adam Mendelsohn, shared the calculated promotional nature of the unauthorized campaign.

“I’m sure the intent here was for us to send a cease and desist in order to make it a story.”

“You would prefer not to respond but you don’t have a choice in a situation like this. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last.

“For what it’s worth, these gimmicks never work because people see through it,” Mendelsohn said.

Legal Demands and Rights Protection

The formal notice establishes strict compliance mandates and legal warnings for PlayVision Inc.:

Mandatory Likeness Removal: Demands the immediate and permanent removal of all promotional materials featuring James’ “Client ID” across digital, social, and print media.
Rule Compliance & Integrity: Addresses the potential regulatory conflict, clarifying that James holds no affiliation with sports betting platforms that violate league governance policies.
Commercial Exclusivity: Safeguards James’ active commercial partnerships, which include a marketing deal with prediction market platform Polymarket and a previous brand partnership with DraftKings.

Australian Federal Government Funding and Sports Gold Coast Infrastructure Boost Support for Para Athletes Ahead of Brisbane 2032

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

The Australian Federal Government has announced a $427,000 investment delivered through the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Para Athlete Barrier Fund to directly support 144 Paralympians and emerging Para athletes across 22 sports.

The funding distribution provides targeted grants of up to $4,000 per athlete to alleviate significant out-of-pocket costs associated with elite-level competition, including international travel, specialized adaptive equipment, sport technology, and personal support requirements.

The funding allocation builds on the $361,000 awarded to 122 athletes in 2025, expanding high-performance sports support as Australia prepares for major international competition windows, including the LA28 Games and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Financial Challenges and Grassroots Pathways

The funding injection addresses systemic financial pressures experienced across national high-performance sports programs:

Cost of Competition Barriers: Elite athletes and their support networks face substantial personal expenditure for flights, accommodation, competition entry fees, coaching, and specialized equipment.
Personal & Family Sacrifices: High operational expenses frequently force emerging athletes to navigate severe financial distress, housing insecurity, and nutrition management challenges to maintain elite training schedules.
Local Pathway Integration: Regional organisations like Sports Gold Coast are deploying private and community-funded initiatives, such as the Grow for Gold program, to provide selected emerging athletes with $10,000 in annual funding over multi-year cycles to bridge high-performance cost gaps.

Regional Impact & Athlete Roster Integration

The Grow for Gold program currently supports prominent regional Para athletes, including Para triathlete Ashley Bryden and wheelchair basketball player Maddie Kelton, alongside a broader cohort of young athletes targeting international selection for the Brisbane 2032 Games.

The combined state, federal, and regional funding mechanisms underscore an ongoing strategic push to establish sustainable financial foundations for Australian Para athletes long before domestic competition commences at Brisbane 2032.

Western Australian Institute of Sport Elevates Lacrosse to Full Sport Program Ahead of LA28

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

The Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) has officially transitioned lacrosse from an Individual Athlete Program into a fully supported WAIS Sport Program.

The elevation reinforces the institute’s high-performance commitment to developing elite Western Australian talent following the International Olympic Committee’s inclusion of lacrosse sixes for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The expanded sport program awards high-performance scholarships to 13 Western Australian athletes, comprising seven men and six women.

To drive performance metrics, WAIS has appointed Glenn Morley as head coach to manage daily training environments, sport science integration, and technical preparation. The structural investment coincides with strong international form from national squads, highlighted by the Australian men’s team securing gold and the women’s team capturing silver at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships.

Emphasising the significance of elevating lacrosse ahead of the 2028 Olympic cycle, Western Australian Institute of Sport CEO, Matt Fulton, said: “The inclusion of lacrosse at LA28 presents a significant opportunity for our athletes, and this transition demonstrates WAIS’ commitment to helping Western Australian talent perform on the world stage.”

High-Performance Framework and LA28 Pathway

The program transition establishes a dedicated daily training environment to prepare athletes for upcoming Olympic qualification milestones:

Targeted Athlete Roster: Full WAIS scholarship access for 13 foundational athletes, delivering strength and conditioning, sports medicine, and performance analysis.
Coaching Leadership: Experienced international coach Glenn Morley will oversee technical development and align state training pathways directly with Lacrosse Australia’s national program.
Olympic Qualification Timeline: Enhanced training structures aim to maximize Western Australian representation on national rosters ahead of global Olympic qualification events scheduled for 2027.

LIV Golf to Liquidate After Financing Collapse and High-Profile Player Departures

Posted on November 6, 2026November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

LIV Golf has officially announced it will liquidate and commence an orderly wind-down of operations following a failed restructuring effort.

The decision follows a New Jersey bankruptcy court proceeding where the league confirmed it was abandoning plans for a “LIV 2.0” season after losing critical financial backing and key star players.

The liquidation marks the end of a turbulent four-year period that saw Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) inject over USD5 billion (AUD5.2 billion) into the league before withdrawing financial support following the 2026 season.

Gene Davis and Jon Zinman of the LIV Golf board special committee confirmed the operational decision in an official release.

“In light of the current circumstances, we believe shifting toward an orderly wind-down is the most responsible path forward for the League at this time,” they said.

BC Partners released a statement outlining the breakdown of the proposed 2027 capital injection.

“BC Partners Credit supported a transaction that aligned the interests of players and investors, offering a credible path toward building a sustainable future for LIV Golf,”

“While there was great support for the league, we are disappointed that mutually acceptable terms could not be reached among the various stakeholders,” a BC Partners spokesperson said.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, reflected on the league’s overall impact on the professional golf landscape since its 2022 launch.

“Building a global platform designed to bring new, younger, and more diverse fans to the sport of golf has been the round of a lifetime for all of us.”

“LIV Golf was fun, demanding, inspiring, at times challenging — but always rewarding,” O’Neil said.

PGA Tour Policy Board player director Peter Malnati, commented on the financial sustainability of the league following its wind-down announcement.

“I’m not an economics major, I’m not even business savvy … but it didn’t take too much to see that that wasn’t a viable economic model.”

“If their goal was truly to be additive to the golf space, they went about it in a strange way. If their goal was to be disruptive, they did a heck of a job,” Malnati said.

Liquidation & Financing Collapse

The final collapse of the breakaway tour was accelerated by a breakdown in private equity restructuring:

Scrapped BC Partners Deal: Private equity firm BC Partners withdrew a proposed $300 million financing package intended to fund the 2027 season after key players refused to commit to long-term league contracts.
Chapter 11 Transition: After filing for bankruptcy protection in September, LIV Golf’s board special committee, led by Gene Davis and Jon Zinman, confirmed the league will shift from restructuring to Chapter 11 liquidation to maximize asset distribution for creditors.
PIF Capital Withdrawal: Saudi Arabia’s PIF officially pulled funding in April after determining the league no longer aligned with its long-term investment strategy, following the PGA Tour’s rejection of a USD1.5 billion (AUD2.1 billion) unified commercial proposal.

Player Defections and Tour Impact

The wind-down has triggered significant movement across global golf tours:

Roster Departures: High-profile marquee players, led by former world number one Jon Rahm, departed the circuit as bankruptcy proceedings mounted. Rahm has confirmed plans to return to the DP World Tour for the 2027 season.
PGA Tour Re-entry Sanctions: The US-based PGA Tour maintains a mandatory one-year competition ban on defecting LIV golfers from the date of their final appearance on the rebel circuit.

Hoops Capital and Sydney Kings Announce Partnership with Omoda Jaecoo

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

National Basketball League (NBL) ownership entity Hoops Capital and the Sydney Kings have announced a commercial partnership with automotive brand Omoda Jaecoo (Jaecoo).

Under the terms of the agreement, Jaecoo becomes a Major Partner for the Sydney Kings during the 2026/27 NBL season, securing prominent branding placement on the back of the team’s playing jerseys.

Jaecoo will serve as the Official Membership Partner for the Sydney Kings, delivering exclusive member events, VIP experiences, and ticket promotions.

Additionally, the car manufacturer has been named the presenting partner of Hoops Capital’s Basketball-2-Business (B2B) program, an executive networking initiative connecting commercial partners, corporate leaders, and sports executives across Greater Sydney.

The partnership follows Jaecoo’s rapid Australian expansion, having surpassed 20,000 national vehicle sales driven by its J5 small SUV platform.

Commenting on the partnership, Hoops Capital CEO, Mark Thompson, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with Jaecoo, globally respected for their craftsmanship and innovation.”

“As the reigning champions of the NBL, the Sydney Kings are pushing the boundary on Australian basketball from a performance, fan and engagement perspective.

“Joining forces with a partner that shares our same drive and ambition is crucial as we continue to build momentum as a code and as a club.

“Jaecoo is one of the fastest growing brand across Asia and Europe and basketball is one of the fastest growing participation sports in Australia.

“This partnership will further drive growth of our sport and unlock the amazing entertainment and sporting product which is championship basketball at Afterpay Arena with the Sydney Kings,” Thompson said.

Emphasising the brand’s commitment to engaging with sports audiences and expanding its footprint within the Australian market, Omoda Jaecoo Australia chief commercial officer, Roy Munoz, added: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with the Sydney Kings, a club that shares our ambition, competitive spirit and commitment to achieving great things.”

“Basketball has an incredible ability to bring people together, inspire communities and create lasting memories.

“The Sydney Kings have built a passionate following, and we’re looking forward to being part of that journey,” Munoz said.

Commercial Scope and Corporate Networking Strategy

The agreement integrates automotive sponsorship assets across Hoops Capital’s high-performance and business networks:

Jersey & Matchday Assets: Jaecoo branding will feature on the lower back of the Sydney Kings’ official 2026/27 home and away jerseys during regular-season and finals fixtures at Afterpay Arena.
B2B Program Integration: As presenting partner of the Basketball-2-Business initiative, Jaecoo will headline corporate breakfasts, inner-sanctum panel sessions, and cross-code sports business luncheons.
Member & Consumer Activation: The partnership incorporates digital activations, VIP gameday hospitality access, and targeted vehicle promotion packages tailored to the club’s active membership base.

WTA and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty Partner for First Official Merchandise Collaboration

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty have announced their inaugural official merchandise collaboration, uniting professional women’s tennis with the global pop culture brand.

The joint commercial venture will debut on-site at the 2026 FAGE WTA Finals in Indian Wells, scheduled to run from 8 to 15 November, marking a strategic expansion into official licensed lifestyle products for the WTA.

The initial product line features custom tennis-themed Hello Kitty graphics across apparel and collectibles, manufactured by product licensing partners Forever Collectibles, Wild Collective, and HOMAGE.

The debut collection includes branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, and a limited-edition plush toy. The merchandise will be sold physically within the Fan Village at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden during the season-ending tournament and globally online via Sanrio.com.

Highlighting the alignment between both legacy brands in connecting sports with broader pop culture, WTA ventures chief brand officer, Sarah Swanson, said: “Sport can be serious, but it should also be really fun, and there’s something joyful about bringing the WTA and Hello Kitty together.”

“Born just months apart in the 1970s, they’re essentially generational sisters with a shared history of breaking boundaries.

“We’re excited to bring those worlds together in Indian Wells, and this is just the start, from future collections to new ways for fans to experience the WTA,” Swanson said.

Emphasising Hello Kitty’s ongoing role in sports-themed fashion partnerships, Sanrio, Inc. chief brand officer, Jill Koch, added: “Hello Kitty has a long history of connecting with fans through sports, bringing her unique place in fashion and pop culture to teams and leagues across the country.”

“We’re excited to build on that connection with the WTA through a collection that celebrates women’s tennis and gives fans a fun new way to express their love for the sport and Hello Kitty,” Koch said.

Commercial Expansion and E-Commerce Roadmap

The partnership anchors a broader commercial merchandising initiative by WTA Ventures to expand the Tour’s retail footprint:

Digital Retail Infrastructure: The collection precedes the planned launch of the WTA’s first dedicated direct-to-consumer e-commerce fan shop in Spring 2027.
Year-Round Distribution: The upcoming e-commerce platform will house permanent WTA lifestyle collections, including future Hello Kitty product iterations.
Fan Engagement Strategy: The partnership targets younger fan demographics by integrating lifestyle and pop-culture elements into traditional sports retail channels.

World Netball Records 55 Million Global Audience Reach Across Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Posted on November 6, 2026 by russellorenzo

World Netball has announced that the netball competition at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games generated a record-breaking reach of over 55 million viewers across global broadcast and digital platforms.

The announcement follows official attendance figures from Glasgow 2026 confirming that netball was the highest-ticketed sport of the Games, issuing 122,972 tickets at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.

An independent post-event audience report commissioned by World Netball and delivered by media analytics firm GSIQ revealed that the nine-day tournament generated 8,207 total hours of linear broadcast coverage across 35 international markets and 45 television channels, representing more than four times the broadcast footprint recorded at Birmingham 2022.

Linear broadcast viewership reached 40.5 million people, led by a free-to-air (FTA) audience of 10 million in Australia on Network Seven. Significant regional growth was achieved across Asia, with broadcast audiences surging by 107 per cent in India and 83 per cent across the broader Indian subcontinent.

World Netball president, Dame Liz Nicholl DBE, highlighted the value of the Commonwealth Games in expanding the sport’s global commercial footprint ahead of the Netball World Cup Sydney 2027.

“The Commonwealth Games is a key part of the World Netball international event calendar as it helps us showcase our world class sport to new global audiences.”

“It is fantastic to see we have once again achieved our goal of reaching more people, more often and broken records on our own digital channels.

“Thank you to everyone that showed up both in person and online to make this possible,” Nicholl said.

On-Court Drama & Digital Engagement Surge

The tournament featured significant athletic milestones and dramatic results that drove unprecedented engagement across World Netball’s digital channels:

Historic On-Court Upsets: Fourth-ranked Jamaica defeated top-ranked Australia 46-45 in the semi-finals, marking the first time in Commonwealth Games history that the Australian Diamonds failed to reach the gold medal match. Tonga achieved a ninth-place finish in their debut Games, while hosts Scotland narrowly missed an upset against Jamaica, falling by two goals.
Record Social Media Reach: World Netball’s owned social platforms achieved a total reach of 15.3 million across 6,944 posts, marking a 4,557 per cent increase compared to Birmingham 2022.
Digital & Channel Growth: Official World Netball platforms generated over 600,000 total content interactions and gained 18,000 new followers (a 593 per cent increase over B2022), alongside registering 486,372 total website page views on the official CWG digital hub.

OzBall Australia Partners with Baseball New Zealand in Landmark Trans-Tasman Talent Agreement

Posted on November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

Australian baseball organisation OzBall Australia has executed a landmark, multi-year agreement with Baseball New Zealand to expand elite talent pathways across the Tasman.

Under the agreement, effective 1 November, OzBall will integrate up to 10 of New Zealand’s top prospective baseball players annually into the Perfect Game Australia College Prospects Showcase, creating a direct domestic platform for regional athletes to perform before American collegiate coaches and scouts.

The arrangement eliminates the financial and logistical requirement for trans-Tasman athletes to travel to North America for elite recruitment exposure. Beyond player access, the initiative embeds high-performance coaching integration, with a senior Baseball New Zealand coach appointed to join the showcase’s instructional panel. The partnership further builds on OzBall’s broader international portfolio, which includes hosting international Banana Ball athletes in Australia as part of bringing the Savannah Bananas exhibition framework Down Under.

OzBall managing director, Kevin Fenn, highlighted the organisation’s mission to establish local recruitment infrastructure for Australasian talent.

“There’s some incredible baseball talent in Australia and New Zealand, but getting noticed by American colleges can be incredibly difficult.”

“We’re changing that by bringing those opportunities to our part of the world.

“Having Baseball New Zealand officially partner with us is a huge endorsement of what we’re building, and we’re excited to help more young players chase their dreams,” Fenn said.

Baseball New Zealand GM of pathway and performance, Dominick Jefferies, welcomed the international exposure opportunities provided by the partnership.

“There is no doubt that New Zealand is home to incredibly talented athletes.”

“With continued investment in high-performance baseball training and the opportunity to showcase that athleticism to a much larger international audience, the OzBall / Perfect Game partnership presents an incredible opportunity for baseball in New Zealand.

“It provides a platform for our athletes to gain valuable exposure, demonstrate their abilities on the international stage, and open doors to future opportunities while raising the profile of the game across the country,” Jefferies said.

Pathways & Trans-Tasman Showcase Integration

The alliance creates a centralized high-performance showcase environment for elite regional prospects:

Direct Collegiate Recruitment: Offers up to 10 elite Kiwi prospects direct evaluation by US college program scouts without leaving Australasia.
Coaching Integration: Incorporates Baseball New Zealand senior coaching staff into the Perfect Game Australia instructional framework to support athlete development.
International Footprint: Complements OzBall’s expanding exhibition and pathway portfolio, including its multi-stage recruitment events and domestic Banana Ball initiatives.

Stage and Screen Named Official Travel Partner of Basketball Australia for Boomers and Opals

Posted on November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

Basketball Australia has executed an agreement with specialist travel management company Stage and Screen Australia, appointing the firm as the official travel management partner for Australia’s national basketball teams.

Commencing retrospectively from September 2026, the alignment will see Stage and Screen oversee all domestic and international travel logistics, movement, and operational requirements for both the Australian Boomers and Seven Consulting Opals across an extensive international competition cycle.

The multi-year logistics partnership encompasses critical high-performance tournament windows leading up to the LA28 Olympic Games. Key milestones managed under the agreement include the Boomers’ qualification and campaign for the 2027 FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup, alongside the Opals’ upcoming FIBA Women’s Asia Cup defense and subsequent Olympic qualification series.

Stage and Screen joins Basketball Australia’s commercial partner portfolio alongside sports travel clients including Cricket Australia, Football Australia, Netball Australia, Paralympics Australia, and the National Rugby League (NRL).

Commenting on the agreement, Basketball Australia EGM of high performance, Jason Smith, said: “We are excited to welcome Stage and Screen as a part of the AUS Basketball family and to support our athletes and staff as we travel across the world to compete.”

“As our role in the landscape of international basketball increases, as does our need for agile and innovative travel.

“Having a company like Stage and Screen on our team to manage the complexities of global travel will allow our teams to move well and compete at their best,” Smith said.

Highlighting Stage and Screen’s extensive track record in managing large-scale athletic delegations, Basketball Australia CEO, Matt Scriven, added: “As the Boomers and Opals continue to deliver must-see entertainment, whether at home in Australia or competing in tournaments abroad, it’s fitting that Stage and Screen have come on board as a Supporting Partner.”

“Stage and Screen is a global company with decades of experience managing the dynamics of team travel and logistics.

“With the 2027 FIBA World Cup for the Boomers and the FIBA Asia Cup and Olympic qualification for the Opals ahead, we look forward to getting the partnership underway,” Scriven said.

Reitarating the agency’s commitment to supporting Australia’s high-performance goals, Stage and Screen GM – Australia, Wonitta Atkins, shared: “With more than 30 years of specialist experience in sports travel, our team will take care of every detail behind the scenes, so the Boomers and Opals can focus on one thing: bringing home gold.”

High-Performance Logistics & Tournament Windows

The agreement integrates specialised sports logistics into Basketball Australia’s elite high-performance program:

Target Competition Campaigns: Comprehensive travel management for the Boomers’ 2027 FIBA World Cup trajectory and the Opals’ FIBA Asia Cup and Olympic qualifying fixtures through to LA28.
Agile Movement Systems: Specialized travel policy deployment, dedicated charter routing, and emergency contingency tracking designed specifically for elite athletic recovery and performance.
Organizational Integration: End-to-end travel management covering executive administration, coaching staff, high-performance sports science teams, and junior national pathway squads.

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. Signs Caitlin Clark

Posted on November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. (NYSE: DKS) has executed an exclusive, multi-year partnership with professional basketball star Caitlin Clark, appointing her as the first individual athlete brand partner for both DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker.

The milestone commercial alignment represents the first time either retail power has signed an individual athlete directly to its corporate brand, while also serving as the debut joint athlete endorsement under DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. following its operational acquisition of the Foot Locker business.

Global Commercial Scope & Retail Activations

Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, DICK’S and Foot Locker will leverage Clark across global marketing channels, custom product promotions, and experiential retail touchpoints:

Signature Product Promotion: The retailers will drive national and international promotional campaigns supporting Clark’s signature Nike footwear, apparel, and accessory lines.
Omnichannel & Digital Integration: Clark will feature prominently across in-store visuals, digital platforms, and fan experiences at both DICK’S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker retail locations worldwide.
Grassroots & Community Initiatives: The partnership incorporates joint community programming designed to expand youth sports participation and broaden basketball access globally.

Executive Leadership Commentary

WNBA star Caitlin Clark highlighted the personal significance of partnering with two foundational sports retail brands.

“DICK’S Sporting Goods was always a stop before the start of any sports season when I was growing up,” Clark said. “Being the first ever brand partner for both them and Foot Locker is a really special full-circle moment. Both brands have deep roots in sport, basketball and sneaker culture, and have strong connections with fans in the U.S. and around the world.”

DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. Executive Chairman Ed Stack emphasised Clark’s unique cross-sport appeal and cultural influence.

“We’re excited to partner with Caitlin because we see the same opportunity to build on the energy around basketball and bring more people closer to the game through DICK’S and Foot Locker,” Stack said. “Caitlin has an incredible ability to inspire, and as an athlete whose love of sports extends beyond basketball to golf, football, soccer, baseball, softball and more, she connects with fans across every part of our business. This partnership offers new ways to come together around a shared passion for sport, and the possibilities it creates.”

Foot Locker Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Brett O’Brien reinforced the retailer’s commitment to advancing global basketball culture through athlete alignment.

“Caitlin’s influence reaches far beyond the court. She has captivated fans, inspired a new generation, and brought new energy to the game,” O’Brien said. “Foot Locker has always been the home for basketball, connecting fans with the athletes, products, and moments that move the game forward across the globe. Our partnership with Caitlin builds on that commitment, creating new opportunities to bring fans closer to the sport and celebrate the culture surrounding it.”

Adelaide 36ers Partner with We Create Studio as Major Partner for NBL Indigenous Round

Posted on November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

National Basketball League (NBL) franchise the Adelaide 36ers has announced a commercial partnership with Aboriginal-owned and led business We Create Studio for the club’s upcoming Indigenous Round match against the Illawarra Hawks.

The alignment sees the creative agency serve as the presenting Major Partner for the marquee fixture, alongside supporting partner BHP.

Under the agreement, We Create Studio founder Pat Caruso, a proud Eastern Arrernte person born and raised on Kaurna Country, hosted a dedicated cultural awareness workshop for 36ers players, coaches, and executive staff.

The session focused on the multigenerational impacts of the Stolen Generations, First Nations identity, and creating career pathways across professional sport administration, coaching, and support roles.

Beyond the Indigenous Round fixture, We Create Studio is a foundation partner of the 36ers’ community arm, the Shooting Hoops Foundation, a supporting partner for the upcoming Remembrance Round game against Melbourne United, and the official player sponsor for development player Deonte Williams.

Highlighting the importance of leveraging professional sports platforms to create meaningful opportunities for First Nations youth, We Create Studio founder, Pat Caruso, said: “It’s part of the reason I’ve come on board with the Adelaide 36ers, to try and make a difference to young people and to young Aboriginal people coming through, who see sport as a legitimate pathway,”

“It’s not just about what they can do on the court.

“It’s leaning into the support networks that are around the players to know they can be part of the executive leadership team, the medical and support staff or be one of the coaches.

“It’s about giving these young people the opportunities and I love being part of their learning, their teaching and their growing.

“The 36ers’ connection to grassroots basketball and the community is a big part of why this partnership means so much to us.

“Sport brings people together, creates belonging and gives young people something to aspire to.

“As an Aboriginal owned creative business, we’re proud to support the Indigenous Round and work alongside the club to celebrate culture and inspire the next generation,” Caruso said.

Commending on Caruso’s leadership and the agency’s cultural contribution to the organisation, Adelaide 36ers chief of external relations & community strategy, Ross Wait, said: “From the moment we met, I could sense Pat’s desire to help.”

“Having had his own lived experience of some of the barriers faced by young First Nations people, he is passionate about making a difference in the community and making things better for the next generation.

“We’re grateful to have someone with such enthusiasm and drive, and an organisation in We Create Studio that lives his values, backing our club and being part of our Indigenous Round this week.

“We’re looking forward to working together in the community through our Shooting Hoops Foundation going forward,” Wait said.

Cultural Activation and Community Initiatives

The partnership incorporates multi-layered fan engagement and internal cultural programs across the club’s NBL operations:

Cultural Awareness Sessions: Players and club staff participated in traditional message stick workshops to share personal stories and foster long-term cultural understanding.
Fan Engagement & Merchandise: We Create Studio will distribute exclusive first-edition Adelaide 36ers player cards at the venue, alongside hosting signed jersey competitions for attending supporters.
Grassroots Community Alignment: The collaboration will leverage the Shooting Hoops Foundation to deliver basketball pathways and support networks for young Indigenous athletes across South Australia.

Official Hospitality Agents appointed for Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027

Posted on November 5, 2026November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

Organisers of the Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 and global rights holder Rugby World Cup Experiences (RWCE) have officially announced the appointment of ten Official Hospitality Agents (OHAs) to market exclusive hospitality packages worldwide.

The tournament, scheduled to run across Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, marks the first 24-team edition in Rugby World Cup history, comprising 52 matches over six weeks.

Following an extensive international tender process involving 45 applicant agencies, RWCE selected ten agencies representing seven countries to manage commercial package distribution across established and emerging sports markets.

The appointed roster includes domestic and global sports travel partners: VenuesLive, AT Events, Sports & Entertainment Ltd (SEL), MatchPoint Hospitality, Global Sports, JTB Corp. (serving as the exclusive agent in Japan), Sodexo Live!, Pitch Experiences, Fanatics Sports, and ES Sport.

The commercial footprint expands sales infrastructure beyond traditional strongholds in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan into high-growth target markets including India and the United Arab Emirates.

Emphasising the significance of expanding the tournament’s international commercial reach, Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 managing director, Chris Stanley, said: “The level of interest in our Official Hospitality Programme has been incredibly encouraging and is a strong reflection of the growing excitement building for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 across the globe.”

“We’re delighted to be working with a strong mix of leading agencies from some of rugby’s most passionate markets, while also opening the door to exciting new audiences in countries such as India and the UAE, helping us connect with more fans than ever before.

“With less than a year until kick-off, we’re preparing to welcome more than 250,000 international visitors to Australia, and our Official Hospitality Agents will play an important role in helping fans from around the globe secure unforgettable experiences and be part of what promises to be the biggest Rugby World Cup ever,” Stanley said.

Highlighting the operational standard established by the international agency network, Rugby World Cup Experiences event director, David MacCallum, said: “The appointment of our Official Hospitality Agents marks an important milestone for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Official Hospitality Programme.”

“Working with trusted agents across key international markets will allow us to expand the programme’s global reach and it will make it easier for fans around the world to experience this extraordinary tournament.

“Together, we look forward to delivering world-class, hospitality experiences that showcase the very best of Australia and set a new global standard,” MacCallum said.

Global Tourism and Commercial Impact

Organisers project significant economic and travel activity generated through official hospitality channels:

International Visitor Targets: Over 250,000 international visitors are expected to travel to Australia for the tournament, accessing ticket-inclusive travel and venue hospitality experiences.
Exclusive Territorial Distribution: Selected agents retain exclusive distribution rights to market curated matchday experiences, corporate boxes, and travel itineraries within their designated regions.
Emerging Market Expansion: The inclusion of agencies targeting India and the UAE represents an explicit strategy to broaden rugby’s commercial audience base across non-traditional markets.

Perth Bears Appoint Former North Sydney Captain Tony Rea as Chief Executive Officer

Posted on November 5, 2026 by russellorenzo

National Rugby League (NRL) expansion franchise the Perth Bears has appointed experienced sports administrator and executive Tony Rea as CEO, effective immediately.

The appointment fills the executive vacancy created by the departure of former chief executive Anthony De Ceglie and positions the club to enter its operational build phase ahead of its inaugural 2027 NRL season.

Rea brings over three decades of international sports leadership and corporate finance experience to the Western Australian franchise. A former North Sydney Bears captain who played 120 games for the club between 1988 and 1994, Rea previously served as CEO and head coach of the London Broncos in the Super League, in addition to holding coaching positions with Super Rugby’s ACT Brumbies.

Prior to Rea’s permanent appointment, General Manager of Football Gareth Holmes served as interim chief executive while the board conducted its executive search.

Commenting on the alignment of appointing a proven sports administrator for the club’s next developmental milestone, Perth Bears chairman, Ben Morton, said:

“As a board, we are delighted with Tony’s appointment.

“Tony, as CEO, will bring our high-performing teams together as one.

“Tony has the leadership attributes and experience needed.

“Critically, Tony is a proven mentor who is dedicated to ensuring Perth Bears’ success on and off the field.

“Tony shares our commitment to growing rugby league across WA,” Morton said.

Expressing his commitment to building a unified organisational structure in Western Australia, Perth Bears CEO, Tony Rea, said: “I’ve sat in almost every seat in a club: player, captain, development officer, head coach, director of rugby and board member.”

“My job as CEO is not to do any one of those jobs – but rather to use that experience to lead our professional team together as one, committed to success.”

“The Perth Bears have assembled an exceptional and professional team.

“They have achieved so much in such a short amount of time and I look forward to leading them as CEO into this next chapter.

“Our hungry and determined squad has been curated under the wise leadership of Mal Meninga.

“Our task is to ensure they have every support needed to be the formidable team we know they can be.

“My professional work over the last decade has exposed me, albeit from a distance, to the determination, resilience and grit of Western Australians.

“I’m delighted I’ll be calling WA home and even more delighted to be part of developing more rugby league talent out of WA,” Rea said.

Operational Transition and Franchise Build Phase

The Perth Bears board outlined a three-stage development framework, start-up, build, and develop, mirroring Western Australia’s resource sector operational models:

Administrative Build Phase: Rea will lead the integration of commercial, high-performance, and administrative departments as the franchise establishes its operational headquarters at the WACA Ground and East Perth Waterbank training precinct.
Football Operations Integration: The executive leadership team will work alongside Head Coach Mal Meninga to finalize player roster construction, pathway programs, and support infrastructure ahead of pre-season training.
Commercial and Pathway Strategy: The club will focus on expanding its Western Australian grassroots rugby league participation models while coordinating operational links with NSW Cup feeder side the North Sydney Bears and Queensland Cup affiliate the Brisbane Tigers.