BT has signed Spurs and Wales player Gareth Bale as an Ambassador for its upcoming BT Sport channels, due to launch on BT Vision, Sky and YouView this summer.
The triple-play TV, broadband and phone provider says Bale, 23, will be at the forefront of its marketing campaign and will also appear “regularly” as a guest.
Bale is the latest in a line of big name signings by the channel which has already announced Jake Humphrey, Lawrence Dallaglio and Clare Balding as presenters.
Humphrey will front coverage of the channel’s 38 Barclays Premier League matches per season while Dallaglio will serve as rugby union expert and Balding will present a “unique” sports themed chat show.
In addition to the Premier League games, the channel signed deals to show Rugby Premiership matches and games from a number of international football leagues including Italy’s Serie A, France’s La Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer in the US and the Brazilian Football Championship.
It has also signed a deal with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to show up to 800 hours of live tennis, including the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships.
Last month it further boosted its portfolio of rights with the purchase of Disney’s UK and Ireland ESPN business.
Bale previously appeared in BT’s TV ads in 2010 when the company started selling Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 to its customers.
Commenting on his latest deal, the player said: “I am delighted to continue my relationship with BT by becoming a BT Ambassador. I feel honoured to join an exciting band of inspirational sporting figures, which has included Olympic heroes like the Brownlee brothers and Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock.
“A great deal has changed in my football career since my first partnership with BT, and I am happy to extend that relationship for the next three years. I am excited about the launch of BT Sport and I am happy to play my part in making it a big hit.”
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, added: “We are thrilled that Gareth has agreed to feature in our TV adverts and some BT Sport programmes, as well as becoming a BT Ambassador. He has developed into one of the most-admired and coveted players in the Barclays Premier League in recent years.
“He is also an inspiring role model for young sports fans, who remains dedicated and focused on developing his considerable talent. We are delighted that we’ve managed to do what dozens of top football managers would like to do – sign Bale.”
