T.E.A.M. wins Champions League contract

UEFA has selected T.E.A.M. Marketing AG as its preferred UEFA Champions League marketing agency for the period between 2003 and 2006.

Bidding shortlist
The decision was announced on Thursday, at the end of the UEFA Executive Committee's two-day meeting in Porto, Portugal. T.E.A.M. Marketing AG had been shortlisted in the bidding process for the contract together with the major international sports management and marketing concern IMG/TWI.

Marketing partner
T.E.A.M. Marketing AG, based in Lucerne, Switzerland, has been UEFA's Champions League marketing partner since European club football's most prestigious competition was launched in 1992. UEFA formally notified T.E.A.M. Marketing AG last year that the existing agency contract would be terminated as of 30 June 2003, and a tendering process was opened for the 2003-06 contract.

Careful and intensive evaluation
"This has not been an easy decision," said UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner. "It is clear that this is the result of a careful and intensive evaluation. Two high-class offers were submitted by two extremely well-prepared agencies."

Number of factors
In a statement, UEFA said a number of factors had been taken into account in reaching a decision. These included the need for a new and innovative approach to the sale of UEFA Champions League broadcasting rights for the period between 2003 and 2006, which also took proper account of European Commission concerns in this area.

Future certainty
Another factor, said UEFA, was the need for certainty on the future of UEFA Champions League branding and the smooth running of the competition, a proven track record in top-class professional football, and appropriate financial arrangements for the European football family.

In-depth assessment
"In light of these considerations and the in-depth assessment provided by UEFA staff and their advisers, the Executive Committee has decided to support T.E.A.M. Marketing as the preferred agency for the UEFA Champions League 2003-2006," the statement added.

Bilateral negotiations
UEFA and T.E.A.M. Marketing AG will now hold negotiations on the agency contract, with a view to reaching an agreement for the 2003-06 period. The contract will be re-tendered in open competition for future periods.

'Delighted and honoured'
Klaus Hempel, company president of T.E.A.M. Marketing AG, said: "We are delighted and honoured to have been chosen to work with UEFA on the next phase of development of the UEFA Champions League, and to continue our successful relationship of the last ten years. The tendering process has been demanding and tough, and has brought out the best in our company and our people."

Quality bid
The UEFA Executive Committee said it recognised the quality of the bid put forward by IMG/TWI. UEFA's statement said that European football's governing body "would be happy to consider working with IMG on UEFA properties at some stage in the future".

Learning process
Eric Drossart, president of IMG Europe, said: "Throughout this process, we have been pleased with our own performance and the genuine nature of the tender. Clearly this has not been an easy decision for UEFA, who have given the two finalists a real opportunity to present their ideas and proposals. This has been an important learning process for everyone involved, and we wish UEFA and the UEFA Champions League every success for the future."