MIES, Switzerland - FIBA has won the first-ever SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federation Award, it was announced on Thursday by SportBusiness Intelligence at the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit in Sochi, Russia.

The SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federations Awards consist of analysing an initial cut of 30 international federations and associations and asking them to complete a detailed survey across nine key categories - Events Calendar and Strategy; Global Popularity and Expansion; Marketing and Communications; Commercial; Branding; Innovation; Governance and Transparency; Legacy/Environment; Inclusivity. The surveys are then analysed by a panel of external judges, who are all experts in their respective fields. The results are used to create a benchmark of excellence for international federations and foster industry best practice through the learnings that will be generated by the Awards.

Head judge Rachael Church of SportBusiness Intelligence said: "Everyone on the judging panel was extremely impressed with FIBA across all the categories - from its governance structure and new competition calendar through to its consistent branding and commercial prowess. This is an international federation that is keen to reach new audiences and quick to engage with them and existing fans through all the platforms at its disposal. FIBA is an organisation that is not scared of change and therefore has implemented improvements across all levels. Unified under a single logo and a simple but hugely effective tagline 'We Are Basketball', FIBA is a thoroughly deserving winner of our inaugural SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federation Awards."

In addition to taking the overall title of SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federation 2015, FIBA also picked up awards in three individual categories: Innovation (jointly with the International Cricket Council); Events Calendar and Strategy; Commercial.

FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann and FIBA President Horacio Muratore were on hand to receive the awards.

Mr Muratore said: "It is a great honour to win the inaugural SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federation Award. We are very proud to accept this award for all the work carried out around the globe which enables FIBA to be at the forefront of international federations."

Mr Baumann said: "As well as being a just reward this is also a great source of motivation for us to continue working diligently and maximising our resources to achieve our goals."

Speaking about the Events Calendar and Strategy category, Peter Cox of Sport New Zealand, one of the Award judges, explained: "FIBA has recently provided confirmation of a re-organisation of its events calendar following an extensive strategic review of its events portfolio. What is striking about FIBA's approach was that they recognised the value their events provide not only to themselves but also directly to their member federations and zones and made decisions consultatively and in the wider interests of all. Some of the powerful outcomes include that National Federations will benefit by having their national teams playing more frequently at home as part of a longer World Cup qualifying processes. The repositioning of the FIBA Basketball World Cup away to a window when it can maximise exposure will drive flow-on commercial benefits. The events calendar and strategy strongly supports the overarching FIBA strategies of growing the game and building communities of basketballers. The year round and very full international basketball programme is now well-positioned to maximise value to members, the FIBA brand and on the financial front."

Regarding the Innovation category, Mr Cox said: "FIBA has innovated substantively around its event calendar and in decentralising its offices. Meanwhile, FIBA has recognised the value of its 3x3 format, studied the dynamics and options and aligned itself to 3x3 through well considered, innovative approaches that enable it to capture and control the emerging sport in an engaging way. Finally, FIBA's use of social media is an evolving work-in-progress of innovation aimed at helping deliver the organisation’s strategic outcomes. The overwhelming impression is that FIBA has a culture or planned approach to innovation and is delivering very satisfying results from its efforts."

Another awards judge, Paul Dunphy of SportBusiness Intelligence, detailed why FIBA was the clear winner in the Commercial category: "When it comes to Bidding for its events, FIBA offers a very clear process for candidates. There is sufficient time for candidates to apply, an observer programme, and also clear applicant and candidate phases. FIBA provides copies of economic impact studies and host nation agreements which are invaluable for cities looking to bid for an event. Meanwhile, commercially, FIBA has a good range of global sponsors that are a good strategic fit."

Click here to find out all the winners of the SportBusiness Ultimate Sports Federations Awards.

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About FIBA

FIBA (fiba.com) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 215 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognized as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

For further information about FIBA visit fiba.com or follow FIBA on facebook.com/fiba, twitter.com/fiba and youtube.com/fiba.