Sports Ticker (7th October 2020) - Amazon Luna The Laver Cup and a New Boss for F1

Welcome to the latest edition of the RPC Sports Ticker - providing fortnightly bite-size updates from around the sports industry.

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In this edition, we report on further delays to fans returning to British sport, the announcement of a new Formula 1 Chief Executive and the launch of Amazon's cloud gaming offering, Amazon Luna. We also take a look at the Hollywood stars looking to invest in Wrexham AFC and the return of elite tennis to London’s O2 Arena with the 2022 Laver Cup.

As always, if there are any areas you’d like more information on (or if you have any questions or feedback), please let us know or get in touch with your usual RPC contact.

1. Amazon set for Luna landing 

Last month, Amazon announced that it will enter the cloud-based games-streaming space with the launch of Amazon Luna.  Whilst the exact go-live date hasn't been confirmed, Amazon Luna is set to launch with over 100 different games split across two channels: the Luna + variety channel and the Ubisoft channel.

2. London Calling: O2 to host Laver Cup in 2022 

Men’s professional tennis is set to return to London with the Laver Cup coming to the O2 Arena in 2022. The three-day team competition, which is the brainchild of Roger Federer, pits six of the best players from Europe against six of their counterparts from the Rest of the World.

3. The desperate plan to save British sport 

As COVID-19 restrictions in the UK tighten again, matches across various sports continue to be played behind closed doors. Last month, Boris Johnson announced a “pause” on plans to bring large numbers of fans back into grounds for at least another 6 months. For many sports organisations, that means putting complex reopening plans back on ice.

4. Domenicali confirmed as new boss of F1

In a leadership reshuffle, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Lamborghini and former Ferrari F1 Team boss, has been named as the successor to Chase Carey as Formula One Chief Executive - effective next season.

5. Once Upon a Time in Wrexham… 

In a plot twist that even the most decorated Hollywood writers could not have scripted, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been named as investors in National League side Wrexham AFC.

Extra time...

… and finally, IKEA and ASUS have announced a partnership to develop affordable gaming furniture designed to “increase performance while also blend in beautifully to homes”. The initial launch in February 2021 in China, will comprise 30 products, including desks and chairs. The new range seeks to combine IKEA’s home furnishing knowledge with ASUS’s expertise in gaming equipment. In its official press release the Swedish retailer said that although around 2.5bn people around the world are gamers, “the needs of gaming lovers in terms of home furnishing have been so far overlooked” and that the new range would seek “to bring the comfort of gaming experience to a new level.”  (See more here).