Infront and Turkish Basketball Federation to advance the sport’s growt

Zug/Switzerland and Istanbul/Turkey; November___ 2013 – The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) has entered a strategic, long-term partnership with Infront Sports & Media, the international sports marketing company, with immediate effect. The agreement is all encompassing and intends to support the overall development of Basketball in Turkey with the core focus on the TBF BEKO Basketball League (TBL) – making Infront the property’s exclusive global marketing and media partner.Turkey, has a predominantly youthful population of 75 million people, where sports has a special place in the social culture.

The partnership covers media and marketing on a national and international level – in the first instance helping to build, implement and service a successful central marketing platform for the TBF BEKO Basketball League. In addition, Infront will contribute its experience to boost the technical and sportive development of the League – creating and using synergies with its existing sports portfolio. In order to fully manage the operative elements of the agreement and anticipate market requirements, Infront in close collaboration with the TBF, will be opening a dedicated office based in Istanbul to work directly out of the market.

Boosting the TBL’s marketing power

Under the agreement, Infront will re-define the marketing platform – offering for the very first time, centrally marketed sponsorship packages across the TBF BEKO Basketball League, which after football is positioned as the second most popular sports league in Turkey. A total of six exclusive sponsorship packages for brands will be available, providing a powerful opportunity for consistent and visual impact throughout the entire league – a real first in the history of Turkish sports leagues.

Infront is also introducing a new and consistent look and feel for all league games, enhancing the clarity and strength of the TBL brand as well as providing a premium environment for its commercial partners. Through an optimised visual identity across all 240 regular season games and a revamped court layout starting next season, the league will be presented with a consistent visual design within the arenas. The introduction of new LED advertising boards will ensure maximum impact for the brand communications of both current and prospective TBL sponsors.

Increasing international exposure for Turkish basketball

In terms of television exposure, Infront will be authorized todistribute the international media rights for the league, in addition to servicing and selling the existing domestic rights moving forward. Overall, the TBF and its commercial partner aim to significantly increase exposure and the accessibility of Turkish basketball across all media platforms. Further, Infront will contribute its experience in media production and digital content creation to significantly improve the overall media product and scope of Turkish basketball content.

Supporting the growth and market value of the TBL

Turgay Demirel, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, said: “This is the first time that a Turkish federation has fully aligned with an international sports marketing company to develop its major properties. We are convinced that it is of long-term benefit for Turkish basketball and all its stakeholders – most importantly the fans, the clubs, the athletes and the sponsors. With its extensive experience in basketball and a proven track record in strengthening the commercial impact of major sports properties on an international level, Infront was the very best choice for us to move forward.”

Ali Özsoy, Secretary General of the Turkish Basketball Federation: “Turkey is a true basketball nation – with the league and national teams backed by millions of fans. Together with Infront we now want to build awareness of Turkish basketball beyond our national boarders and elevate our properties further fortify a leading position in Europe. Infront will support us in building a world-class commercial foundation and cross-connect Turkish basketball with its worldwide sports media and sponsorship network.”

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront, said: “Basketball is a key pillar of the Infront portfolio and we are very proud of the TBF’s trust, expressed by this long-term partnership. Our aim is to support the federation by boosting the brand profile and strength of the BEKO Turkish Basketball League. This will encourage growth well into the future and eventually leave a lasting legacy. Thanks to our all-encompassing role, we will follow an integrative approach and set a benchmark for the future development of sports events and series in Turkey. The country is a strategic growth market for the Infront Group and we look forward to contributing to the development of its sports industry.”    

Stephan Herth, Infront's Executive Director Summer Sports, added: “Basketball is the second most popular sport in Turkey and well positioned for future prosperity. Increasing competitiveness, modernization of club management structures and budgets, state-of- the-art facilities have carried the League to the top of Europe, making it primary destination of top level talent. Jointly with the TBF, we are aiming to strengthen the products and increase commercial value by building a true powerhouse for impactful brand communications in sport. Raising Turkish basketball to the next level of success will involve and be of benefit to all sides – the federation, the league and of course all the clubs.”

About the TBL

The TBF BEKO Basketball League (TBL) is the foremost professional men's basketball league in Turkey and one of the top leagues in Europe. The league is owned and managed by the Turkish Basketball Federation. The league has enjoyed an exciting growth in the recent years in spite of ongoing economic recessions elsewhere in Europe, attracting some of the world’s best home grown and international players. With 16 teams from 9 different cities some of which are more than 100 years old,playing against each other twice - once at home and the other away by the end of the season, the top 8 teams participate at the playoff games with the two top teams of the Second League then promoted to the TBL while the last two teams are relegated to the Second. The regular season of the 2013/14 TBF BEKOBasketball League started on October 12th, 2013 and is scheduled to close on May 3rd, 2014. The playoffs will beginimmediately with the finals series taking place in the first half ofJune. The Galatasaray Liv Hospital Team are the defending champions.

About Infront Sports & Media

Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, is one of the leading international sports marketing groups in the world. Known for its high standards of delivery, the company covers all aspects of a successful sport event – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production and event operations. As a leading player in winter sport, football and summer sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 120 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. With an experienced and passionate team of 500 staff in 20 offices across 10 countries, the Group helps to annually deliver 3,300 event days of top class sport around the world.