Month: October 2022

Legends to Manage Sponsorships, Merchandise and Make Strategic Investment in 3ICE

3ICE, a three-on-three professional ice hockey league, and Legends, a data-intelligence fueled global premium experiences company, announced today a strategic partnership to support and accelerate the growth of the new independent North American hockey league. In addition to managing several lines of revenue generating operations for 3ICE, Legends will make a minority investment in the league.

3ICE concluded its successful inaugural season in August with a nationally televised championship tournament live from Las Vegas on CBS. The league will return for its second season in summer 2023. As part of the comprehensive new partnership, Legends will manage sponsorships, omnichannel merchandise, media strategy and buying for 3ICE, leveraging the company’s technology solutions division to deliver innovative, data-driven actionable insights and solutions across each service. In addition, 3ICE will have access to all areas of Legends’ intelligence-fueled 360-degree service solution, including planning, sales, and hospitality, as the league expands.

“We are overjoyed to partner with Legends across so many of their skillsets, it is a large step forward that continues our rapid growth and further validates our business and will translate into better experiences for all of our fans, sponsors, players, investors and every division within 3ICE,” said E.J. Johnson, CEO of 3ICE.

“E.J. and his team at 3ICE have created an exhilarating new take on a classic sport, giving the built-in fan base more of the speed, skill and thrill they love. We are excited to work alongside them to accelerate the growth of the league following an impressive inaugural season,” said Gabby Roe, President, Legends Growth Enterprises.

In the first season, 3ICE featured six teams with professional hockey pedigree players who traveled to eight tour-stops to compete in a tournament where each game consists of two, eight-minute halves using a running clock on a full-sized rink. Craig Patrick is League Commissioner and he was joined by six NHL Hall of Fame players as team coaches: Guy Carbonneau, Grant Fuhr, John LeClair, Joe Mullen, Larry Murphy and Bryan Trottier. The inaugural season of 3ICE aired on CBS Sports in the United States, TSN in Canada and ESPN for international rights. Players competed for more than $2 million in prize money throughout the season.

3ICE joins a growing list of Legends Growth Enterprises partners, the company’s division focused on leveraging its 360° service solution to support sports and entertainment properties, attractions, events, and platforms that are positioned for accelerated growth.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Legends announced today a new partnership focused on commercialization for the team in Germany. As part of the agreement, the global premium experiences company will manage a data-driven sponsorship sales strategy for the Buccaneers to assist the team’s brand building efforts in Germany.

The Buccaneers were one of four teams awarded international marketing rights in Germany as part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Area (IHMA) initiative. Tampa Bay, led by seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, will take on the Seattle Seahawks in a groundbreaking game in Munich, Germany on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at Allianz Arena, a 75,000-seat stadium that is home to FC Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga. This first-ever NFL regular season game in Germany is sold out.

“Buccaneers fans in Germany have quickly embraced our team and there is a genuine excitement for the historic game that will be played in Munich in the coming weeks,” said Buccaneers Chief Operating Officer Brian Ford. “Our partners at Legends will play a crucial role in helping us build off this initial wave of enthusiasm as we focus on building long-term corporate relationships and establishing the Buccaneers brand throughout Germany. As leaders in the global premium experiences industry, Legends has all of the expertise required to help us maximize our opportunities as we focus on elevating and expanding our presence in Germany.”     

Legends’ Germany team based out of Hamburg will lead the engagement with the Buccaneers, which runs through the end of the team’s IHMA rights in 2026. Legends is partnered with many of the world’s most iconic sports, entertainment, and attractions brands and has extensive experience leading global partnership sales for premier professional sports teams. The company’s Hospitality division is currently also partnered with the Buccaneers, overseeing food and beverage operations at Raymond James Stadium.

“Legends is proud to partner with the Buccaneers to help the team establish a lasting brand presence in Germany through strategic marketing partnerships and activations,” said Jens König, Managing Director of Central Europe, Legends International. “Germany has a strong NFL fan base, and we look forward to working with the Buccaneers to find the right partners in Germany to build on the excitement in the market surrounding the upcoming sold-out game in Munich.”   

The Buccaneers have fans around the world and have consistently been featured in the global spotlight for the NFL. This is the fourth time the Buccaneers will take part in the NFL’s International Series of games, having previously played in London, England three times (2009, 2011 and 2019), twice at Wembley Stadium and once at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

German Press Release

RESPECTED INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE JESUS BUENO APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF IBERIA

Continued Investment in Infrastructure Supports European Growth of the Business

Legends, a data-intelligence fueled global premium experiences company, is accelerating its worldwide growth with continued investment and expansion in the company’s burgeoning International business. Today, the company announced the appointment of well-respected industry executive Jesus Bueno as Managing Director of Iberia. Bueno joins Legends after 12 years at the NBA, most recently serving as Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Bueno will oversee the development and implementation of Legends’ unique 360-degree services platform in Spain and Portugal. Legends holistic data-driven solution for sports and entertainment organizations, venues and attractions is comprised of Planning, Sales, Partnerships, Hospitality, Merchandise and Technology Solutions service divisions.

“Legends global business is rapidly expanding, and we are humbled by the incredible brands we have the privilege of supporting on the world stage,” said Mike Tomon, Co-President and COO, Legends. “With our established business in Spain and well-found confidence in the market, the time is right for a further investment in infrastructure to underpin our commitment to the dynamic sporting landscape in Spain. Chus’ market expertise and deep industry experience will help us drive continued growth and lead a local team in Iberia that will provide world-class results leveraging our unique 360° service solution.”

Legends is partnered with many of the world’s most iconic sports, entertainment, and attractions brands. In Spain this includes an expansive partnership with Real Madrid CF leveraging the company’s 360° platform to optimize the management of the renowned Santiago Bernabéu stadium. As well, Legends is working closely with several La Liga first division clubs providing wide-ranging feasibility work to assist the clubs in infrastructure investment decisions. Throughout Europe, Legends also counts Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, The Shard, Rugby World Cup 2023, UFC, The European Tour and Ryder Cup as clients.

Bueno has more than 25 years of global experience in professional sports management and entertainment across all business disciplines. Before joining Legends, he held executive positions at the NBA for 12 years, last serving as Vice President for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to the NBA, Bueno was the Managing Director of the Spanish Basketball Federation in Spain, organizing the Eurobasket 2007 in Spain, as well as the Managing Director of SPAIN 2014 BID that won the FIBA WC2014 in 2009. Bueno started his career as a professional basketball player in Spain. After retiring as a player, he began his executive career in 1995 running the Basketball Players Association in Spain and Europe for 10 years.

Spanish Press Release