Zug, Switzerland/Levi, Finland – Ski Sport Finland has extended its international media partnership with Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports Group company, through to 2026. The new agreement covers all international media and broadcasting rights for the Men’s and Ladies’ FIS Alpine and Freestyle Skiing World Cup events to be held in Finland.
It therefore grants Infront exclusive international media rights for the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom races in Levi, and for the moguls FIS Freestyle World Cup events in Ruka.
The partnership between Infront and Ski Sport Finland began in 2011, with this being its third extension. The new agreement follows on from an extension of the company’s international media and broadcasting rights agreement with the Finnish Ski Association. That deal also includes rights for all Nordic discipline FIS World Cup events held in Finland through to 2026.
Laying the groundwork for the future
Bruno Marty, Director of Winter Sports at Infront said: "We are pleased to continue supporting the FIS World Cup events and Ski Sport Finland, as we have done for many years now. This agreement further strengthens our FIS World Cup portfolio, particularly in the Nordic countries. It also enables us to create longer term plans for the future and to further enhance our collaboration with Ski Sport Finland."
Marko Mustonen, CEO of Ski Sport Finland, added: “It is a pleasure to continue our collaboration with Infront. They have been a valued partner for six years now and this new agreement means we can look forward to strengthening our work together over the coming nine seasons.”
Mika Kulmala, CEO of the Finnish Ski Association, commented: “It’s great to hear that our colleagues at Ski Sport Finland have extended their agreement with Infront, who have also proved an excellent partner for the Nordic discipline FIS World Cup events that we organise. Fans worldwide can be assured that they will continue to enjoy excellent media coverage of every single exciting FIS World Cup event held in Finland, whether Nordic, Alpine or Freestyle.”
A strong FIS World Cup presence
The deal with the Finnish Ski Association is just one of many recent prolongations of Infront’s media agreements with national ski federations that have already extended their agreements with Infront until 2026. This allows Infront to market its FIS World Cup events on a collective basis, thereby creating maximum exposure for the sport around the globe.
Official slalom kick off in Levi
Fans do not have to wait long for the first Finnish FIS World Cup event of the season. Levi takes place this weekend (11 and 12 November 2017), and is 2017’s first FIS Alpine World Cup for which Infront is a partner. High winds in Sölden, which led to the cancellation of the men’s Giant Slalom, means Levi will also serve as the season opening of the men’s FIS Alpine World Cup tour. Ski Sport Finland and the organising committee have invested in snow making and farming systems to guarantee smooth execution of the races at Levi, and a high quality event for both spectators attending in person and fans watching at home – who will benefit from the expert coverage from Infront.The Ruka event, meanwhile, takes place on 9 December 2017 and inaugurates the moguls season of the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup.
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Group, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About Wanda Sports Group
Wanda Sports Group is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media & marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Led by President & Vice Chairman Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports Group incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
