Hyundai and Kia stay loyal with FIFA until 2030 to extend past two decades

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FIFA and Hyundai
Image credit: FIFA

Hyundai Motor Group affiliates Hyundai and Kia have jointly announced the renewal of their long term partnerships with FIFA until 2030.

This joint partnership has a lot of history behind it, with Hyundai beginning its alliance with FIFA in 1999 before Kia first began its football sponsorship activities in 2006 for the Germany World Cup. In 2010, Hyundai/Kia signed a long-term agreement to continue the partnership until 2022.

The renewals will cover a wide range of FIFA’s most prestigious competitions, including the eagerly anticipated FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Hyundai and Kia have provided long-term transportation and financial support for FIFA, and both companies have expressed the importance on having an emphasis on the growth and development of the women’s game with the FIFA Women’s World Cup around the corner.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland to celebrate the occasion with a long-term partner.

“We’re thrilled to continue our long standing partnerships with Hyundai and Kia. Over the years, they have consistently demonstrated their commitment to supporting FIFA, and we value their dedication to enhancing the overall experience at our tournaments,” said the FIFA President.

“As we enter this new era together, we’re excited about the prospects that lie ahead with the addition of Boston Dynamics and Supernal. Together, we’ll continue to work on uniting the world through football.”

Karl Kim, the President of Hyundai Motor Group, added to Infantino’s comments on behalf of his company.

“On behalf of Hyundai Motor Group, we’re honoured to extend our partnerships with FIFA, reinforcing our long standing commitment to the world of football,” commented the President of Hyundai Motor Group.

“As we embark on this renewed collaboration, we look forward to showcasing the capabilities of our mobility solutions and partner brands on a global scale. Together with FIFA, we aim to inspire and unite fans around the world through the power of football.”

On the Hyundai website, the group extensively talks about its connection with the sport of Football.

“Football partnerships are a fundamental pillar of Hyundai/Kia’s global marketing strategy that provide compelling opportunities to build an emotional connection with customers by sharing in their passion for football.” it reads.

Ground transportation is critical to the successful staging of an international event like the FIFA World Cup. Having proven itself as a dependable vehicle supplier for a number of FIFA competitions from 2006 to 2018, it’s a perfect partner to ensure transportation of teams and staff runs smoothy for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that starts on July 20.

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AFC anti-doping webinar aims to modernise practices

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Image Credit: Asian Football Confederation Website

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) wrapped up the AFC Member Association Anti-Doping Programme webinar on Monday, highlighting the confederation’s desire to strengthen the honour and fairness of football in Asia.

With 40 Member Associations (MAs) present, the AFC’s webinar was designed to educate MAs on the recently implemented AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System, a broad sweeping process aiming to standardise anti-doping practices across the confederation.

Designed to modernise Asian anti-doping practices, the AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System is helping to transition MAs from paper-based data collection to digital alternatives. Through this, MAs will be able to observe and record doping activities far easier and will be in compliance with the AFC Anti-Doping Regulations and World Anti-Doping Code.

The AFC Anti-Doping Activities and Monitoring System also includes a number of tools to help boost MAs anti-doping effectivity, such as real-time data submission and secure access controls. Additionally, the system includes provisions to conducting educational programs, recording anti-doping violations, and programme testing.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation Medical Committee Member, Dr. Khalid Awad, outlined the importance of the anti-doping webinar.

“It was a pleasure to be part of the discussions and to learn more about this new system. I feel it has great potential to strengthen collaboration among MAs,” he said in a press release.

“We can use the platform not only to safeguard the integrity of our sport but also to develop more ways to educate ourselves and help our athletes perform at their highest levels.”

Pakistan Football Federation Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Muhd Azam Khan expressed his satisfaction for the AFC’s commitment to modernising anti-doping practices in Asia.

“This is an excellent step by the AFC to digitise records. It will serve as a stimulus for the growth and development of MAs,” he said via press release.

“Additionally, I am confident it will motivate us to organise more capacity-building initiatives in our respective federations.”

The webinar also allowed the AFC and MAs to share the discoveries of a recent AFC survey, which aimed to discover the unique problems each MA has in regard to doping in football.

Nine eyes Optus Sport as Stan Sport expansion opportunity

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Image credit: Optus Sport website

Nine Entertainment is reportedly in discussions to acquire Optus’ sports streaming service, Optus Sport, as part of plans to strengthen its own Stan Sports platform.

This would include handing over the rights to the Premier League, which has been the main selling sport in Optus’ sports streaming subsidiary.

According to the Australian Financial Review (AFR), Nine initiated talks in December, while Optus has been seeking buyers for the service since late 2023.

Optus Shifts Focus Back to Core Business

Optus initially launched its sports streaming service to diversify revenue streams and complement its telecommunications offerings. However, the company has decided to refocus on its core operations and move away from content-based ventures.

In recent years, Optus Sport has opted not to renew broadcast rights for major competitions such as La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, reflecting a strategic shift towards cost-cutting and prioritising its core telecommunications business.

Additionally, the service has seen its subscription price increase from $14.99 to $24.99 over the past two years. Optus also introduced charges for its customers, who previously enjoyed complimentary access to the platform, further signalling its move away from subsidised content offerings.

Nine’s Strategy to Stay Competitive

Acquiring Optus Sport would enable Nine to secure key sports rights, including the English Premier League and FA Cup, while expanding its subscriber base.

This move comes as the Australian streaming landscape becomes increasingly competitive, with international player DAZN poised to enter the market.

DAZN, which recently acquired Foxtel in a AU$3.5 billion deal, is expected to make a significant impact when it launches locally later this year.

Stan Sports: Building a Robust Portfolio

Stan Sports currently holds the rights to premium events such as the Olympic Games, UEFA Champions League, and several rugby union and tennis properties.

Adding Optus Sport’s rights would bolster its offerings and help Nine contend with rivals like Paramount+, BeIN Sports, Amazon Prime, and free-to-air broadcasters.

Consolidation on the Horizon

Australia’s crowded sports media market is ripe for consolidation, with multiple players vying for lucrative rights deals.

Free-to-air broadcasters have maintained a strong foothold, supported by Australia’s anti-siphoning laws, which ensure key events remain available outside paywalls.

Conclusion

While Nine has declined to comment on the AFR report, Optus noted it routinely reviews its businesses to ensure they deliver value.

As the market evolves, this potential acquisition could be pivotal in shaping the future of Australian football broadcasting.

As it stands, the average Australian consumer requires at least four subscriptions to watch every European competition and each of the Top 5 leagues which remains a frustrating solution to legal broadcasts in the country.

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