IMG, a global leader in sports, fashion and media, today announced that it will represent the global media rights of the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation’s (IWWF) World Cup Series.

As part of the multi-year deal, IMG will market the rights to the Series across all platforms worldwide, as well as carry the Series on EDGEsport, its 24-hour action sports channel which is currently broadcast in over 25 territories.

Four events are already confirmed for this year’s IWWF World Cup Series, with scope for more to be added during the course of the agreement.  The first gets underway March 14-15 in Mandurah, Western Australia. In the World Cup Series, athletes compete in a range of disciplines including wakeboard, slalom, shortboard, jump, cable slalom, cable wakeboard, cable tricks and cable jump.

Adam Kelly, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales EMEA and Business Development Worldwide, IMG Media, said: “The addition of IWWF to our growing action sports catalogue is a significant and exciting acquisition. We are currently working with over 100 events across all major disciplines and our expertise and access in this field will enable us to increase the visibility, popularity and prestige of the IWWF World Cup Series and cement its appeal within the world of action sports.”

Kuno Ritschard, IWWF President, said: “With over 60 million participants in our sport, we will shortly celebrate our 43^rd Waterski & Wakeboard World Cup Stop in Mandurah. The timing to join hands with IMG is therefore perfect as this global leader can help in raising our profile, increasing our media exposure and developing our sponsorship programmes. We appreciate that IMG has invaluable experience in these areas and we are now greatly looking forward to developing a successful partnership with them.”

Other events within IMG’s extensive action sports portfolio include the Festival International Sport Extreme (FISE) World Series, UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series, the World Championships of Snowboarding and the US Open of Surfing.