ESPN STAR Sports inks three-year exclusive telecast deal with IHF
ESPN STAR Sports has tied up with Indian Hockey Federation for a three-year exclusive telecast deal for all the international hockey matches.
ESPN STAR Sports has tied up with Indian Hockey Federation for a three-year exclusive telecast deal for all the international hockey matches. Leisure Sports Management, the marketing agency of IHF acted as a facilitator by clinching a deal between the two leading organisations.
ESPN STAR Sports will broadcast and market IHF package including 102 international matches over the next three years. Any other hockey tournament, which the IHF launches in this period, will also fall under the purview of this contract.
KPS Gill, President, IHF, who was present on the occasion, said, “We are looking at growing the game’s popularity in a very systematic manner. We are taking a holistic approach to market the national team and international hockey better.”
The teams that are likely to visit India include Malaysia, Spain, Australia, Pakistan, Germany, New Zealand and Korea.
R C Venkateish, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Private Limited, said, “Our role in this deal will be more than mere telecasting. Besides continuing to innovate on our current hockey telecast, we will market the hockey players and the sport better. We will leverage our relationships with IHF and hockey players by integrating the discipline much more into our over all marketing programmes and specific initiatives like ESPN learning grounds for schools and so on. We are bullish about building hockey in India and look forward to the support of IHF for a long standing partnership.”
