IMG and SailGP renew multi-year agreement

Australia SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby celebrate winning by sailing by spectators on Navy Pier on Race Day 2 of the T-Mobile United States Sail Grand Prix | Chicago at Navy Pier, Lake Michigan, Season 3, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. 19th June 2022. Photo: Simon Bruty for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

Sports media specialist IMG is to expand the sailing league SailGP’s global media rights distribution, following a renewed multi-year deal.

IMG working alongside SailGP’s in-house team per the agreement is to develop new commercial partnerships for the league, its participating teams and events, as well as providing strategic support and assistance to SailGP’s commercial team. The company will continue to shape SailGP’s long-term growth ambitions utilising the full range of services across the IMG network, as well as supporting SailGP’s commitment to championing a world powered by nature through transformational purpose-led partnerships.

SailGP first partnered with IMG, which is part of Endeavor ahead of its second season. The sporting event broadcast in more than 200 territories and has seen a significant growth and engagement across digital channels.

Andy Thompson, managing director, SailGP, said: “IMG has been an integral part of our success and growth to date, working in partnership with our own commercial and broadcast teams. It is no secret that we have ambitious goals and aims as we accelerate the growth of our league into new territories and sectors and build our fan base around the world. The extension of our agreement with IMG is a key part of this strategy as we continue to develop exciting new commercial partnerships for the league, our teams and our events that we believe will be game-changing, not just for SailGP but also for the wider industry.”

Robbie Henchman, president of global partnerships, IMG and On Location, added: “In just three seasons, SailGP has quickly established itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing sports properties and we, like so many fans around the world, are excited about the future of this dynamic, forward-thinking league. Together with SailGP and IMG’s global network and expertise, we aim to continue delivering major partnerships that can be transformational for SailGP and the broader industry, fuelling further global reach, fan engagement and long-term commercial growth.”