Diego Maradona on Monday signed a contract with Venezuelan state-funded TV channel Telesur to cover the 2018 World Cup. Maradona said alongside Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at a government presentation that he will comment on World Cup games for Telesur's "De la mano del 10" ("Of the hand of the 10") program (AP, 11/6).
England Ashes cricketer Kevin Pietersen "will join Tubs, Heals and Chappelli in the Channel Nine commentary box for the first three Tests of the series." The batsman announced he will "reunite with old mate" Shane Warne in an Instagram post. Pietersen's calendar "suddenly opened up after the disastrous collapse of South Africa's new T20 Global League" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 11/7).
Adidas launched its own AI shopping app, which has been "specially designed to offer a personalised experience for every customer based on their style and behaviour." The move marks the first time the company "has made forays into selling products in-app." The direct-to-consumer platform is available on the Google Play Store in the U.K. and U.S., with the brand "promising to roll it out more widely" in the first half of '18 (THE DRUM, 11/7).
Eleven Sports added to its rights portfolio in Belgium with the acquisition of live and exclusive rights to the '17-18 Professional Darts Corporation World Darts Championship, the 2018 PDC World Cup of Darts and this week's Champion of Champions Snooker tournament (Eleven Sports).
