IP Athlete Management Launches: Tsubasa Ozora Forms Global Partnership with SOMPO Holdings

Sports Biz Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masakazu Yamamoto; hereinafter referred to as Sports Biz) has entered into a global partnership agreement with SOMPO Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as SOMPO Holdings) within the framework of managing Tsubasa Ozora from "Captain Tsubasa," whose rights are independently managed by TSUBASA Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Katsushika-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yoshihiro Iwamoto), as an "IP Athlete." This marks the full-scale commencement of operations.

IP Athlete Status for Tsubasa Ozora and Partnership with SOMPO Holdings

Sports Biz has begun management to embody the vision of positioning Tsubasa Ozora as an "athlete with sustainable value independent of competitive results." In response to this major initiative, SOMPO Holdings, which aims to be a true global company originating in Japan and has set forth a new group vision of "Unlocking the Potential of the Future," has decided to partner with us as the best partner to jointly embody this vision.

Evolution into a New Business Model

This initiative distinguishes itself from traditional IP licensing businesses that simply utilize anime characters as advertising material. It is an evolved business model that manages characters as "athletes" and partners with companies in the medium to long term to solve management vision and purpose issues, as well as challenges faced by society and local governments.

Future Developments Through Real and Digital Channels

Moving forward, together with SOMPO Holdings, we will deliver Tsubasa Ozora's story of challenge to society through multifaceted communication that fuses real and digital experiences, including next-generation development events that expand children's potential and the promotion of well-being.

Future Outlook for IP Athlete Management

Sports Biz will continue to expand the scope of activities for SOMPO Holdings and "Captain Tsubasa" and "Tsubasa Ozora," while also expanding the domain of "IP Athlete Management" targeting various anime heroes and heroines as a new sports management business. We will pioneer a new market where real athletes and fictional heroes and heroines coexist, and strive to further enhance the social value of sports.

[What is IP Athlete Management?]

This is an evolved business model that manages characters from anime and manga as "athletes" rather than mere advertising materials, and partners with companies to solve management visions and societal issues. It is an initiative that possesses sustainable value independent of competitive results, co-creating long-term value across real and digital platforms, and even across national borders.

©Yoichi Takahashi

[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]

Sports Biz Co., Ltd.

Contact: Athlete Produce Division Motohashi / TEL: 03-5537-8460 / MAIL: info@sports-biz.co.jp

URL: https://www.sports-biz.co.jp

Address: 5F, Realize Ginza Mihara Dori Bldg., 7-10-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

|Company Overview| Representative: Masakazu Yamamoto, President and CEO

Business Activities: Sports Management Business, Sports Marketing Business, Event Planning and Operation, etc.

[To Media Representatives: Regarding the Use of Material Images]

Image data (key visuals, etc.) attached to this release may be used freely for reporting and article publication purposes related to this matter without prior permission requests. When publishing, please be sure to include the following copyright notice in close proximity.

©Yoichi Takahashi