This article was originally published on May 29th, 2020.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
Golf news I am looking forward to -
In a groundbreaking move, the European Tour wants players to wear television microphones while competing to enhance coverage of events played behind closed doors.
Although professionals have worn mics during television broadcasts such as last Sunday's charity match involving Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, this is a significant move for tour events.
Viewers will hear conversations with caddies and fellow players, and European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley believes it will become "the way of life" at future events.
"Covid-19 allows you permission to try things a little bit differently," said European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley. "I think you have to be as creative as you possibly can when you are playing behind closed doors.
"It really comes down to how open you are, how creative you are, and how your players want to embrace change. This is the time for us to do some things completely differently."
New hockey league I am excited for -
3ICE announced the star-studded cast of head coaches for their new three-on-three ice hockey league. The head coaches are Guy Carbonneau, Grant Fuhr (@grantfuhr), Ed Johnston, John LeClair (@John_LeClair10), Joe Mullen, Larry Murphy, Angela Ruggiero (@AngelaRuggiero) and Bryan Trottier. That group includes a whopping six members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The league will take place over nine weekends throughout the U.S. and Canada during the summer of 2021. Each team will consist of seven players, which is broken down to six skaters and one goalie. Every season will feature 60 total games over nine different tour stops and there will be a league championship at the conclusion of the season.
Marketing initiative I am interested in -
The Los Angeles Chargers’ “Bolt Up Your Small Business” initiative represents one of the most unique relief measures undertaken by a major sports organization amid the Covid-19 pandemic. It could potentially be one of the most valuable as well.
The NFL team is offering one small business in California a free, three-month digital and promotional partnership over the summer, from June 1-August 30, in a sweepstakes competition.
The winning company will receive banner adverts across the Chargers’ official website; two pieces of video content (30 seconds and 60 seconds) distributed through Chargers’ social-media platforms, the Chargers website, and YouTube channel, and a co-branded lead generation sweepstakes promoted by the team.
Motorsports news I am learning about -
Formula 1 teams have agreed to a new budget cap from 2021, which will see a decrease in spending through to 2025.
Following prolonged negotiations, teams decided on a spending cap which will be set at $145 million in 2021, falling to $140 million in 2022, and then $135 million for 2023 to 2025. A further review will then look to establish the amount for 2026 and beyond.
The cap does not include driver salaries, senior team staff, $15 million for engine costs, and marketing and hospitality.
Formula One and the International Automobile Federation (FIA), the series’ governing body, had already been pushing for a spending cut in a bid to level the playing field across the grid and ensure sustainability. The financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic proved the catalyst needed to implement the changes.
Formula One’s three biggest spenders, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, had been reluctant to agree to the changes and will likely mean a major restructuring for the ‘big three’.
Innovation I enjoyed -
Fans of Danish Superliga side AGF Aarhus were able to watch their season-opener against Randers despite restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to Zoom.
Three giant screens were joined together, at the side of the field, to create a virtual grandstand. Allowing 10,000 fans to show their support, and let the players hear them, during Thursday's game.
AGF's head of media, Søren Højlund Carlsen stated, "When you go to football, it's a community experience. This is a chance for people to get together."
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan
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