MUMBAI: Sports management companies ProSportify and SportzLive have “come together” to form Emerging Sports & Media Technologies.
Through this partnership, ESM aims to create an array of sports products which will include a range of sports in the urban, rural, and luxury, and E Games sector, the companies jointly declared.
The first property that ESM is mounting is the Big Bout, which SportzLive already holds the commercial rights to. Incidentally, when SportzLive originally entered into an agreement with the Boxing Federation Of India, it was to launch the Indian Boxing League. Big Bout, which is being touted as lndia’s first ever Olympic style boxing league, is basically IBL rebadged.
Big Bout will witness the participation of Olympic medalists and world champions including Mary Kom, Sonia Lother, Amit Panghal, and Manoi Kumor participating, according to an official release. The league, which is now scheduled to run from 2nd December to 21st December (earlier it was to run from October 19 to November 09), will be aired on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Prag News, Andy Haryana and P Plus Channels.
For the record, the biggest property that SportzLive, founded and led by Atul Pande, a seasoned sports industry professional, holds the commercial rights to is the Premier Badminton League. Four seasons of PBL have been executed thus far, with the upcoming 5th season to kick off in January 2020.
ProSportify, on the other hand, holds similar rights for the Pro Wrestling League, around which it is in an increasingly fractious dispute with the Wrestling Federation of India. While four seasons of PBL have been executed thus far, there will be no edition this year in the wake of the dispute, which is currently being fought in the courts.
Speaking on the association, Sportzlive founder & MD Atul Pande said: “It is indeed a pleasure partnering with ProSportify and ITV Network to bring quality sport to Indian audiences. Boxing as a sport demonstrates tremendous promise in India, including potential Olympic and World Success, and we hope to build it as one of the leading sports Franchises in India.”
ProSportify founder & promoter Kartikeya Sharma added: “We combine our strength bringing innovation for sports audiences compiled with experience and engaging TV content. With an aim to become numero uno as sports IP creators in Asia, our first venture as Emerging Sports & Media will be Big Bout, an Olympic Style LIVE televised Boxing league.”
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