IMG inks deal with RCS to distribute properties globally

MUMBAI: Italian media company RCS has signed an eight-year agreement with sports marketing group IMG. The rights were earlier with Rai.

The deal will include the Giro cycling event as well as properties like Milan-Sanremo and Il Lombardia.

RCS Sport CEO Giacomo Catano said, "We are proud to start a long-term agreement with the worldwide leader in global sports management. We are sure that IMG Media?s expertise will help us to improve the value and increase the international visibility of the Giro d?Italia and the other RCS Sport races and allow millions of cycling fans to enjoy the beauty and drama of Italian cycling. RCS Sport has a strong international approach and we see IMG Media as the right partner to further develop our global strategy.?

IMG‘s head of acquisitions and sales worldwide Ioris Francini said: "IMG Media‘s mission is to further expand the success of the Giro d‘Italia, the other Italian classic races, across all five continents. The sponsor and media appetite for road cycling is as strong as it has ever been."