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2016 Candidate Cities submit Bid Files to IOC - 13 Feb 2009

The International Olympic Committee received the Candidature Files of all four Candidate Cities for the 2016 Olympic Games. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo all submitted

Boston Red Sox up for sale - 29 Jan 2009

The New York Times Company hired Goldman Sachs to explore a potential sale of its 17.75 per cent stake in MLB franchise the Boston Red Sox.

Panasonic to sponsor new MLS stadium - 09 Jan 2009

Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the MLS Philadelphia 2010 ownership group, named Panasonic as the "Official Technology Partner" of its new stadium and waterfront complex.

GM renews for Nascar’s Daytona race - 07 Jan 2009

Car-maker General Motors Corp. renewed its long-standing sponsorship of the Daytona International Speedway and its signature Nascar race, the Daytona 500.

Gatorade moves into action sports - 06 Jan 2009

Drinks brand Gatorade agreed a deal to become the first isotonic beverage sponsor of action sports athletes and properties.

NFL's shifts Pro Bowl - 06 Jan 2009

The NFL said it was breaking its long-standing tradition of holding the Pro Bowl the week after the Super Bowl. The 2010 Pro Bowl will instead be held a week before the Super Bowl.

MP & Silva strikes MLS deal - 22 Dec 2008

International sports media company, MP & Silva, signed a long-term, broad partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), North America’s top-flight professional soccer league.

CBS & Time Warner consider joint Olympic rights bid - 18 Dec 2008

American networks CBS Corp., and Time Warner Inc., could join forces to bid for rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympics, according to The Associated Press.

Toyota and Audi replace GM in Yankees deal - 17 Dec 2008

MLB team the New York Yankees agreed deals with Toyota and Audi as automotive sponsors, taking over from General Motors Corp.

Chicago 2016 unveils enhanced games plan - 12 Dec 2008

Chicago 2016 announced today details of its enhanced venue plan that will be submitted to the International Olympic Committee in February 2009.

$22.5 billion in new economic activity from a Chicago 2016 Olympic Games - 12 Dec 2008

Chicago 2016 announced the results of an independent economic-impact study commissioned to quantify the economic effects from hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ESS signs three new ICC deals - 11 Dec 2008

ESPN Star Sports agreed partnerships with three major broadcasters to make International Cricket Council (ICC) events exclusively available tofans in Pakistan, Canada and the USA from 2009-2011.

Chicago 2016 Announces Key Additions to Bid Leadership Team - 10 Dec 2008

Chicago announced today three strategic appointments to the bid’s leadership team including the appointment of Lori Healey as president of Chicago 2016.

Maxboxing.com to merge with Secondsout.com - 10 Dec 2008

Independent US boxing website, MaxBoxing.com,agreed a new partnership with SecondsOut.com, the current number one ranked sports partner channel on Youtube.com in the UK.

Chicago 2016 finalises agreement for hospital site - 09 Dec 2008

Chicago 2016 announced that a purchase agreement has been reached to acquire the Michael Reese Hospital property, a site that enhances the bid committee’s original plan for the Olympic Village.

ESPN acquires Women's British Open rights - 04 Dec 2008

US broadcaster, ESPN, agreed an eight year deal to show all four rounds of the Ricoh Women’s British Open live on ESPN with the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Weeden appointed general manager of Gator Sports Marketing - 04 Dec 2008

Gator Sports Marketing, a division of IMG College that markets the media rights for University of Florida athletics on behalf of FOX-owned Sun Sports, appointed Cathy Weeden its new general manager.

Houston’s WNBA team to disband - 03 Dec 2008

The Women's National Basketball Association said the Houston Comets franchise is to be disbanded after a new owner could not be found.

STATS acquire SportVU - 02 Dec 2008

STATS LLC, acquired SportVU, a Tel Aviv based innovator in automated ID and motion capture technology.

US PGA to change play-off structure - 27 Nov 2008

US PGA Tour officials announced changes to their season-ending play-off chase that should see more drama building toward the Tour Championship starting next year, Eurosport reports.

GM ends Tiger Woods sponsorship deal - 26 Nov 2008

Troubled American car manufacturer, General Motors, announced that it is ending its sponsorship deal with the world's most recognisable athlete, Tiger Woods.

NBA and Harlem Globetrotters agree partnership - 25 Nov 2008

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Harlem Globetrotters agreed a strategic partnership that will give fans worldwide access to high-quality basketball entertainment.

ESPN and BCS agree four year deal - 19 Nov 2008

US broadcaster ESPN agreed a four year deal with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) for the TV, radio, digital, international and marketing rights for 15 BCS games from 2011 to 2014.

ESPN to close BCS deal - 18 Nov 2008

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is close to a deal with US broadcaster ESPN for the television rights to college football's championship game and biggest bowls, according to US press reports.

US Senate appeal to NFL over game day broadcasts - 17 Nov 2008

Members of the US Senate have asked the NFL commissioner to make more game-day broadcasts available to local fans at no cost on broadcast television.

Tour of Georgia cancelled - 17 Nov 2008

US cycling race, the Tour de Georgia, will not be held in 2009 due to lack of interest from sponsors, organisers have said.

Trek Bicycle agrees Women’s Triathlon Series sponsorship - 17 Nov 2008

Trek Bicycle agreed a new title sponsorship deal with the Women’s Triathlon Series.

Chicago to host international gymnastics competition in 2009 - 13 Nov 2008

Chicago 2016 and World Sport Chicago (WSC) announced that USA Gymnastics will host the 2009 Tyson American Cup gymnastics invitational in Chicago.

Turner Sports will not renew British Open Deal - 13 Nov 2008

US broadcaster, Turner Sports, will not renew its current seven-year rights deal to carry golf’s British Open when the deal expires after the 2009 event in July.

Obama boosts US World Cup bid - 13 Nov 2008

Barack Obama's election as US President could derail England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, according to a "high-placed" Fifa official.

Rabobank to sponsor Tour of California - 13 Nov 2008

Financial institution, Rabobank, agreed a three-year sponsorship deal to become a Founding Partner and the Official Bank of the Amgen Tour of California, from 2009 to 2011.

GolTV acquires football friendly rights - 11 Nov 2008

GolTV acquired the North American rights for the international friendly between Germany and England on November 19.

University of Texas to launch own network - 10 Nov 2008

The University of Texas is to launch its own 24 hour sports network.

USA Hockey secure three IIHF World Championships - 06 Nov 2008

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) granted USA Hockey rights to host three IIHF World Championships.

NBA to launch webcast service - 06 Nov 2008

The National Basketball Association (NBA) launched a new subscription service, offering fans in nearly 20 countries access to a complete season of live NBA game webcasts on NBA.com.

Open looks to sign US TV deal - 04 Nov 2008

An imminent new US TV deal will help keep ticket prices for golf’s 2009 Open at Turnberry at the same level as this year's championship, organisers have said.

IMG appointed sponsorship agent of Kentucky Derby - 29 Oct 2008

Sports marketing agency, IMG, has been appointed as the worldwide sponsorship agent for the Kentucky Derby.

Washington Wizards sign new sponsor - 29 Oct 2008

Volkswagen of America Inc., has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal with NBA team the Washington Wizards and the Verizon Center.

2016 Candidate Cities visits announced - 27 Oct 2008

The International Evaluation Commission will visit the four Candidate Cities bidding for the 2016 Olympic Games in April and May of 2009.

Scrum.com to re-branded - 24 Oct 2008

US network, ESPN, is to re-brand and re-launch its premier rugby website, Scrum.com.

UTC agree 10-year partnership - 22 Oct 2008

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has agreed in principle to a 10-year relationship with colligate sports marketing agency, Learfield Sports.

Rutgers to seal naming rights deal - 21 Oct 2008

US University, Rutgers, is expected to sell its football stadium naming rights to a New Jersey-based company for between $1.5 million and $2 million a year, according to press reports.

NBA to reduce ticket prices - 20 Oct 2008

Speaking to Eurosport, Stern said: "I think many of our teams will be trying to price tickets even more affordably with respect to group sales and the like, so we can make some effort in that regard.

Change of venue for AT&T National - 17 Oct 2008

The Tiger Woods-hosted AT&T National golf competition will move from Bethesda, Maryland to suburban Philadelphia in 2010 and 2011, Reuters reports.

Barcelona to bid for MLS franchise - 16 Oct 2008

Spanish Primera Liga club Barcelona is set to launch a bid with a Bolivian entrepreneur to become co-owners of a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, according to the BBC.

MLB and ESPN extend digital rights deal - 13 Oct 2008

ESPN, and Major League Baseball extended their digital rights partnership for what they describe as most comprehensive multiplatform collection of baseball rights ever, until 2013.

TSN and NHL agree multi-year deal - 13 Oct 2008

TSN agreed a deal with the the NHL to become the exclusive global distributor of real-time NHL game statistics to Web sites, broadcasters, arenas, fantasy games and selected mobile applications.

Kentaro/USSF agree distribution deal - 10 Oct 2008

The Kentaro agency agreed a six-year deal with the US Soccer Federation (USSF) to distribute its global media rights.

Golf sponsorship to top $1.36bn - 07 Oct 2008

North American-based companies will spend an estimated $1.36 billion to sponsor pro and amateur golf tournaments, sanctioning bodies and related events this year, according to new research.

Universal Sports acquires CHL rights - 07 Oct 2008

Universal Sports agreed a new partnership with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for the exclusive rights to broadcast the 2008-09 Champions Hockey League (CHL).

North American Sports Network to Become ESPN America - 02 Oct 2008

ESPN announced that North American Sports Network (NASN) will be re-branded ESPN America, from Super Bowl Sunday, 1 February, 2009.

Sportaccord unveils new look as registration opens - 01 Oct 2008

The seventh edition of Sportaccord 2009 will take place from March 23-27, 2009 in Denver, Colorado in the Rocky Mountains of the United States - the first time the international convention for the wor

Disney and ESPN to launch sports festival - 26 Sep 2008

The event, the ESPN RISE Sports Festival, will take place between July 18 and 25 and involve over 2,000 young athletes, many of whom are among the most heavily recruited in the nation, competing in si

US Motor Racing Comes to Monaco - 26 Sep 2008

Tony George, in his first-ever appearance at the Forum, will deliver the keynote address on the second day of the event.

IMG College agrees $80m rights deal - 24 Sep 2008

Under the partnership, IMG will manage all rights with the exception of radio, which will become part of the agreement after UConn’s contract with WTIC expires in three years.

World Baseball Classic coverage finalised - 23 Sep 2008

From next year ESPN will show the semi-finals and final, scheduled for March at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, as well as select other games domestically, whilst the MLB Network will broadcast much of

Universal Sports available to 30m households - 17 Sep 2008

President of NBC Olympics, Gary Zenkel, said: "Significantly adding to our market reach is a key component of our plan for Universal Sports Network to be seen on a widespread national scale.

Low piracy levels for CCTV and NBC - 15 Sep 2008

The figure is attributed in part to the sheer amount of content NBC made available on its site, NBCOlympics, which negated the need for users to look elsewhere for hijacked clips, and the use of so-ca

NBA agrees new media partnership with Zed - 12 Sep 2008

Under the multi-year agreement, the NBA will leverage Zed’s extensive distribution channels, which include agreements with more than 130 carriers worldwide.

Disney to challenge for Premier League rights - 11 Sep 2008

On a visit to London, chief executive of Walt Disney, Robert Iger, told the paper that ESPN - the company's sports broadcaster - was its second principal brand after the Disney name itself and indicat

Bank of America to finalise $20m-a-year sponsorship deal - 11 Sep 2008

According to the Post, although the deal does not include naming rights to the entire new ballpark, home of the New York Yankees baseball team, it would secure exposure in and around the stadium makin

Gillette and EA Sports form gaming partnership - 11 Sep 2008

The “Gillette – EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming Tournament” will officially launch in late October 2008 and provide gamers the opportunity to compete against others from around the world for the

Mixed reviews for NBC.com - 10 Sep 2008

According to figures released by Microsoft, NBCOlympics.com received 42 million unique visitors, delivered 56 million high-definition video streams using Microsoft's Silverlight technology and receive

UCLA sign sponsorship deal - 10 Sep 2008

Under the deal, Sport Chalet, will be known as the 'official sporting goods retailer' of the UCLA Bruins and will have a highly visible presence at UCLA for all home games over the length of the deal.

ATP Media and WTA Tour agree digital partnership - 05 Sep 2008

Under the partnership, fans will be able to watch 20 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Premier events and 21 ATP World Tour Masters 1000s and 500s live, as part of a subscription- based Internet service.

ESPN extends TV deal with WAC - 05 Sep 2008

Under the deal, ESPN networks, including ESPN, ABC, ESPN2 and ESPNU will show more than 300 regular-season games and 45 championships.

US Speedskating extends marketing partnership - 05 Sep 2008

Under the deal, Amplify Sports will become the sponsorship agency and marketing partner for the national governing body for the sport of speedskating.

NBC fairs well in out-of-home ratings - 04 Sep 2008

According to the service, the first three days of NBC's Olympic broadcast averaged 1.05 million, 950,000 and 812,000 respectively for out-of-home viewers aged between 13 and 54 years of age.

Tribune group acquire NFL games - 04 Sep 2008

Under the deal, viewers in New York, Dallas, San Diego, New Orleans, Denver and Indianapolis will be able to watch the games, which are normally only available to viewers via cable and satellite telev

2008 Olympics - the digital Games - 29 Aug 2008

By the final day of the Games, US network NBC Universal,had reached a total of 214 million viewers with its Beijing Olympic coverage.

Chiefs to partner IMG - 29 Aug 2008

Under the partnership, Gary Pluchino, senior vice president of IMG, will oversee the naming rights project from their New York branch.

NFL looks to longer season - 28 Aug 2008

The Post reports that among NFL leaders, consent is growing, and it seems likely that such an adjustment is will be made within the next few years.

Golfers ‘must’ speak English - 27 Aug 2008

Deputy Commissioner of the tour, Libba Galloway, said: “We live in a sports-entertainment environment.

Olympic viewing breaks US records - 26 Aug 2008

According to Nielson Media Research, 211 million viewers watched the first 16 days of Olympic coverage on US network NBC – surpassing the total audience of 209 million which tuned in to watch the At

United Airlines to extend sponsorship deal - 26 Aug 2008

Under the deal, United Airlines will remain the official airline sponsor of the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams and will fly athletes to Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012.

Reno-Tahoe to increase bid pressure - 26 Aug 2008

Jon Killoran, chief executive officer of the coalition, told the Reno Gazette-Journal: "I'll be there to tell our story and do so in a fashion that we build good relationships.

NBC keen on the Michael Phelps ratings effect - 22 Aug 2008

Financial terms of the deal with USA Swimming were not revealed. NBC had already acquired the rights to the 2012 US Olympics swimming trials and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Teenagers not watching the Olympics - 21 Aug 2008

During the first 11 days of the Games, viewing is down by four per cent amongst teenagers on figures for the 2004 Athens Games despite the introduction of sports such as BMX and increased internet cov

ESPN to bid for 2014 and 2016 rights - 20 Aug 2008

ESPN’s executive vice president for content, John Skipper, told the paper: “Our DNA is different than theirs, we serve sports fans.

STATS and NFL agree new data deal - 20 Aug 2008

Under the multi-year agreement, STATS will provide exclusive content across NFL properties.

Low ratings for PGA Tour - 20 Aug 2008

According to US press reports, ratings for the British Open were down by almost one-third from 2007, whilst a round in the tour’s Canadian Open drew a rating of under 1.0 – around a million viewer

NBA to stream games live to local markets - 19 Aug 2008

Under the plans, the NBA will negotiate contracts for its member teams so they can stream live games to targeted local online audiences this autumn.

Study criticises IOC sponsorship policies - 18 Aug 2008

The study, which is the result of a co-operation between the Washington-based Commercial Alert and Multinational Monitor - a company that tracks the activities of big corporations, argues that the mar

NBC’s multi-media coverage is ratings hit - 15 Aug 2008

Viewing figures for the first four days of the Games peaked in the US on Sunday with 107.3 million viewers tuning in to watch Michael Phelps win his second gold of the games during the 4x100 men’s r

CBS agree 15-year deal for SEC rights - 15 Aug 2008

Under the deal, CBS will continue to cover SEC home football games including the SEC championship, as well as SEC regular-season basketball from the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

Phelps boost for sponsors - 14 Aug 2008

Phelps, who already receives an estimated $5 million annually in endorsement deals - more than 10 times what most of the high-profile athletes in his sport make - is likely to see his net worth increa

UA signs $73 million rights deal - 14 Aug 2008

Under the deal, ISP will manage certain media rights that were once managed by the university's athletic department, including athletic venue signage, printed material such as game programs, the offic

NBC’s coverage of Olympic opening breaks viewing records - 11 Aug 2008

The ceremony was aired by NBC 12 hours after it happened in China, causing protests from viewers, but is thought to have increased viewer numbers.

MLB’s 2016 return in doubt - 07 Aug 2008

The news is a major blow to the sport’s hopes of returning to the Olympic programme in 2016.

ESPN acquires Racing-Live.com - 07 Aug 2008

“Motor racing has a global fan base, and this agreement will allow us to serve fans more motor sports coverage than ever before,” said Russell Wolff, executive VP and managing director, ESPN Inter

University of Michigan signs $86m rights deal - 05 Aug 2008

Under the deal, which runs until June 2020, IMG College has acquired all rights associated with corporate sponsorships, hospitality and coaches’ endorsements.

LPGA seeks $4m sponsor - 05 Aug 2008

The details of the package are vague, although on-site activation, hospitality and some form of naming or presenting rights are expected to be part of any deal.

CVC: No plans to sell F1 stake - 04 Aug 2008

In a statement to the press CVC, said: "We have no plans to sell our stake in Formula One. We see our investment as long term and we are pleased with its performance to date.

NFL to stream live broadcasts - 28 Jul 2008

Starting with the NFL Kickoff game on September 4 between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants, the league plans to stream US network NBC's prime-time schedule on NFL.com and NBCSports.

USOC & IOC file ticketing lawsuits - 24 Jul 2008

USOC and the IOC have said that XL&H websites misleadingly claim to offer legitimate, official tickets to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and give consumers the false impression that the sites are some

ESPN website breaks sports streaming record - 22 Jul 2008

ESPN said that figures were boosted by coverage of the US Open Golf Championship and Euro 2008, with viewers averaging about three hours watching online.

GolTV acquires rights for Emirates Cup - 22 Jul 2008

Enzo Francescoli, CEO and founder of GolTV, said: “Living up to our commitment to delivering the highest-quality global soccer action, we present our viewers with one of the most exciting, action-pa