American Football

NFL appoints Octagon to support UK commercial strategy - 15 Apr 08

The National Football League (NFL) appointed Octagon to work with the NFL to provide strategic advice to develop current and future commercial strategy around the NFL UK’s year-round activity.

The NFL to Provide Closing Address at Sport and Technology: The Conference 2008 - 15 Apr 08

Sport and Technology: The Conference 2008, in association with BT Media and Broadcast, is delighted to announce that the event’s Closing Keynote Address will be delivered by Brian Rolapp, Senior Vice President, Digital Media & Media Strategy of the National Football League (NFL), on 13 June 2008 at BT Centre in London.

AT&T in frame for Cowboys naming rights - 14 Apr 08

AT&T could sign the richest naming rights deal in sports history if the US telecommunications giant follows up its reported early interest in naming a new stadium for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

Paragon, new sports management agency launched - 25 Mar 08

Hugh Dodson, former COO of The Gersh Agency, launched a new sports and entertainment management firm, Paragon.

Indianapolis sets its sights on Super Bowl 2012 - 22 Feb 08

Indianapolis formally announced the city would bid for the NFL’s 46th Super Bowl in 2012.

Naming rights deal for Giants, Jets stadium could set record - 11 Feb 08

Experts predict a deal for naming rights for the new New York Giants and New York Jets stadium to set naming rights records.

Nielsen reveals Super Bowl ad analysis - 11 Feb 08

The Nielsen Company has released an analysis of advertising trends from Super Bowl XLII, which was viewed by an average audience on Fox of 97.5 million people in the US.

Super Bowl breaks US TV sport record - 6 Feb 08

The US Super Bowl attracted over 97.5 million viewers on Sunday, making it the second most watched television programme in American broadcasting history.

USC strikes $50m partnership deal - 6 Feb 08

The University of South Carolina will has signed a $50 million nine-year contract to make ISP Sports and Learfield Communications the multimedia and advertising rights holder for its athletics programme.

Americans tune in for Super Bowl ads, says survey - 1 Feb 08

A survey conducted by Harris Interactive has revealed that 57 percent of US adults who plan to watch Super Bowl XLII will tune in as much or more for the commercials as for the game.

NFL to return to UK in 2008 - 18 Jan 08

After playing a highly-successful game in London last October, the NFL said it will return to the UK for a competitive game in 2008 as part of the league’s International Series of regular-season games.

Super Bowl, the world’s most watched live TV sports event in 2007 - 17 Jan 08

The 2007 Super Bowl was ranked the world’s most watched live TV sports event last year according to Initiative Sports Futures’ ViewerTrack global trends report for 2007.

Gatorade gives G2 drink Super Bowl send off - 17 Jan 08

The Gatorade Company, a division of PepsiCo, is launching its largest integrated marketing campaign in six years – spearheaded by a Super Bowl XLII ad spot - for the launch of its G2 drink.

CBS integrates College Sports network - 4 Jan 08

CBS Corporation is to integrate the combined businesses of its College Sports Television Networks (CSTV) division into the operations of CBS Sports.

NFL and Ticketmaster set up resale platform - 19 Dec 07

The National Football League (NFL) has signed up Ticketmaster to create an NFL Ticket Exchange service that provide fans with a league-endorsed resale platform.

Comcast sues NFL Network - 17 Dec 07

US cable company Comcast has filed a suit against the National Football League, claiming it was acting in breach of contract for encouraging Comcast to drop their service.

Comcast issues warning to NFL Network - 23 Nov 07

US cable operator Comcast has issued a ‘cease-and-desist’ letter to the NFL Network demanding that it stops inciting Comcast subscribers to switch providers.

IMG to acquire Host Communications - 13 Nov 07

IMG agreed a deal to acquire Host Communications, the US leader in college sports marketing, association management and media services.

Gloves are on for Nike and NFL - 29 Oct 07

Nike has expanded its current footwear and promotional rights agreement with the NFL to include branded gloves on-field and at retail and grassroots programming.

Harris bank signs with Chicago Bulls - 29 Oct 07

The Chicago Bulls have signed a new three-year sponsorship agreement with Harris designating the financial services group as the presenting sponsor of the NBA franchise.

Super Bowl could go to London, says NFL Commissioner - 17 Oct 07

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has asserted that London could one day host the Super Bowl, according to US media sources.

NBC Sports to sell post-game sponsorship - 16 Oct 07

NBC Sports has put up for sale the broadcast sponsorship rights to its NFL post-game show ‘Sunday Night Football’.

CBSSports.com leads consumption metrics - 16 Oct 07

CBSSports.com, part of CBS Interactive, led all major sports sites in ‘visits per person’ and ‘time per person’ for the month of September, according to data from Nielsen//NetRatings.

Bridgestone sponsors NFL and Wembley event - 5 Oct 07

US tyre company, Bridgestone, has entered into a multi-year integrated marketing partnership with the NFL, making it the ‘Official Tyre of the National Football League’.

NFL Commissioner heads 'BusinessWeek Power 100' - 27 Sep 07

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Tiger Woods, and NBA Chairman David Stern have topped BusinessWeek's inaugural "’The Power 100’ ranking of the 100 most powerful people in sports.

XM Radio ramps up NHL coverage - 27 Sep 07

XM Radio is expanding its NHL play-by-play channels from six to nine in order to offer comprehensive coverage of the NHL season, which starts this weekend.

Nike name new VP global sports marketing - 24 Sep 07

Nike has named John Slusher as vice president of global sports marketing for the sporting goods giant.

College sports attract record sponsorship spend - 17 Sep 07

North American-based companies are expected to spend a record $515 million on college athletic programmes, conferences and events in 2007, according to the IEG Sponsorship Report.

BBC to broadcast Super Bowl - 14 Sep 07

BBC Sport signed an exclusive free-to-air deal with the NFL to broadcast the Super Bowl live over the next two years.

Steelers take to the skies with US Airways - 13 Sep 07

A US Airways Airbus unveiled its new-look this week – decorated in the colour and logos of NFL team the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Cowboys pen major new deal with American Airlines - 7 Sep 07

American Airlines has signed an exclusive sponsorship and marketing agreement with the Dallas Cowboys that will run through the 2019 season.

Airline teams up with NFL team the Giants - 7 Sep 07

Continental Airlines have confirmed a multi-year marketing agreement with the NFL’s New York Giants.

Touchdown for clever new search engine - 30 Aug 07

It bills itself as the ‘next generation search engine’ – and now Enth.com has unveiled facilities to search for NFL answers.

Samsung defines new NFL sponsorship agreement - 28 Aug 07

The NFL has extended its sponsorship deal with Samsung Electronics for a further three years.

The website formerly known as CBS SportsLine.com - 24 Aug 07

CBS SportsLine.com has undergone a rebranding - and will now be known simply as CBSSports.com.

Hurricanes confirm switch to Dolphin Stadium - 23 Aug 07

The University of Miami football team has confirmed it is to quit the Orange Bowl after 70 years – and play its home fixtures at the Dolphin Stadium.

BANK OF AMERICA SIGNS AS NFL OFFICIAL BANK - 17 Aug 07

Bank of America has been named as the National Football’s ‘Official Bank of the NFL’ in the United States.

GIANTS EXTEND DEAL WITH TICKETMASTER - 14 Aug 07

New York Giants and Ticketmaster have extended their secondary ticketing services agreement, enabling Giants season ticket holders to sell on tickets to other Giants fans.

VIAGOGO AGREES NEW FUNDING AND ENTERS US MARKET - 8 Aug 07

Secondary ticketing company viagogo launched in the US market with a deal with the Cleveland Browns NFL team and secured $30 million in a Series C round of funding from existing investors.

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN $60M KIT DEAL - 20 Jul 07

The University of Michigan has signed an eight-year footwear and apparel deal with adidas for its 25 sports teams - earning the university’s athletic department $7.5 million a year.

WASSERMAN INVESTS IN HIGH SCHOOL NETWORK - 17 Jul 07

Sports media company Wasserman Media Group (WMG) has made a strategic investment in Prep Sports Online (PSO), the leading US high school athletics network.

DOLPHINS AND JAGUARS LOOKING FOR STADIUM SPONSORS - 25 Jun 07

The NFL’s Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars are looking for corporate sponsors for their stadiums.

NFL BROADCASTERS WANT LEAGUE TO BRING SPONSORS TO SUPERBOWL - 20 Jun 07

The National Football League’s TV rights holders are reported to be unhappy that the league is not doing more to get its official sponsors to advertise in the Super Bowl.

XM TO AIR ‘BIG 12’ COLLEGE SPORTS - 15 Jun 07

XM Satellite Radio will broadcast the cream of US college sports under a new, multi-year agreement with ESPN Regional Television.

NFL’S ‘FIRST AND TEN’ LINE PIONEER JOINS SPORT AND TECHNOLOGY: THE CONFERENCE - 31 May 07

Sam McCleery, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PVI Virtual Media Services, has joined Sport and Technology: The Conference 2007 as a panellist.

CTV WINS EXCLUSIVE NFL SUPER BOWL RIGHTS - 24 May 07

Canadian Television (CTV) has won the broadcast rights to NFL regular season and play-off games and exclusive rights to the Super Bowl from 2007-2009.

LONDON ‘HOTLY ANTICIPATING’ NFL GAME AT WEMBLEY - 16 May 07

London is gearing up to host one of the most hotly anticipated sporting events of the year, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said as he met with representatives from America’s National Football League (NFL) and the New York Giants.

NFL AGREES CHINESE MEDIA DEAL - 3 May 07

The NFL has cut a deal to increase awareness of the league in China by making Titan Media the country’s official sports media partner of the NFL.

NFL TO KEEP GAMES ON ITS NFL NETWORK - 23 Apr 07

NFL team owners are to keep games on the league-owned NFL Network, despite rumours that they were considering putting the rights out to tender.

NFL CANCELS CHINA GAME PLANS - 3 Apr 07

The NFL called off its planned pre-season exhibition game between Seattle Seahawks and New England that was scheduled to take place in August in Beijing's Workers Stadium.

NFL'S SAINTS SIGN DEAL TO STAY IN LOUISIANA - 27 Mar 07

The National Football League's New Orleans Saints signed a deal with the state of Louisiana stay at the Superdome until the end of the 2010 season.

NIKE RECRUITS EX-PEPSI EXEC - 7 Mar 07

Sportswear giant Nike has recruited former PepsiCo executive Greg Dinges as vice-president of corporate development.

NFL SELLS OUT ALMOST 100 PER CENT OF REGULAR SEASON GAMES - 28 Feb 07

New research indicates that American football’s NFL sells an average of 98.3 per cent of available general seating for regular season games.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC SIGNS UP FOR ESPN’S ARENA - 27 Feb 07

Clothing manufacturer Russell Athletic agreed a multi-year title sponsorship with US cable broadcaster ESPN for its coverage of the Arena Football League.

NFL CONSULTANT TO HEAD UP PR FIRM’S EURO EXPANSION - 22 Feb 07

US PR firm TransMedia Group has appointed NFL Europe consultant Neil Reynolds associate director of its newly launched European operation.

SUPER BOWL TV FIGURES SECOND BIGGEST IN ITS HISTORY - 6 Feb 07

The Indianapolis Colts' victory over the Chicago Bears pulled in the second biggest ever audience for the NFL showpiece – and became the third most-watched US show of all-time.

SPORTFIVE SIGNS UP WITH NFL EUROPA - 1 Feb 07

NFL Europa has confirmed Sportfive as its exclusive marketing partner for national sponsorships.

BRAIN IMAGING FOR SUPER BOWL ADS - 1 Feb 07

A technology company in the US is to use brain imaging equipment to show viewers' responses to advertisements shown around this weekend’s Super Bowl.

DALLAS COWBOYS NAMING RIGHTS COULD HIT $300 MILLION - 22 Jan 07

The NFL's Dallas Cowboys could bring in $300 million from a naming rights deal for its $1 billion new stadium.

WEMBLEY SET FOR NFL MATCH - 17 Jan 07

London’s brand new state-of-the-art Wembley Stadium is believed to have beaten off rival bids from venues in Germany to host the first regular season NFL contest outside of the Americas later this year.

CARS.COM SPONSORS ESPN COLLEGE BASKETBALL - 11 Jan 07

The Cars.com website agreed sponsorship deal for ESPN and ESPN2 Saturday Afternoon College Basketball from February 2007.

ESPN TAKES STAKE IN ARENA FOOTBALL - 2 Jan 07

ESPN acquired national TV rights to the Arena Football League in a deal which also gives it a minority stake in the 19-team indoor league.

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE INKS NEW DEAL - 2 Jan 07

The Canadian Football League signed a new TV rights deal, to start in 2008, with Canadian sports network, TSN.

ESPN ACQUIRES STAKE IN ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE - 20 Dec 06

ESPN has taken a minority stake in the Arena Football League as part of a new five-year agreement.

BUFFALO BOSS IN NFL REVENUE SHARE BLAST - 19 Dec 06

The owner of the Buffalo Bills has blasted the NFL over stalling on discussions regarding a revenue sharing proposal.

CHIEFS OWNER HUNT DIES - 15 Dec 06

The owner of the Kansas City Chiefs NFL team and the man who coined the phrase ‘Super Bowl’ has died after a long battle with cancer.

CHIEFS FOUNDER HUNT FIGHTS FOR LIFE - 14 Dec 06

The founder of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and the man who helped create NFL rival the American Football League, Lamar Hunt, is battling for his life in a Dallas hospital.

COWBOYS UNVEIL ‘BIGGEST EVER NFL STADIUM’ DESIGNS - 13 Dec 06

The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys has unveiled the design plans for its 100,000-seater expanded-capacity new stadium in Arlington, Texas.

PRINCE PUTS FIZZ IN PEPSI'S HALF-TIME SHOW - 12 Dec 06

The NFL has confirmed pint-sized pop superstar Prince will be the star turn as part of the half-time entertainment laid on during February’s Super Bowl.

GIANT LOAN DEAL PUSHES NY TEAMS CLOSER TO GOAL - 8 Dec 06

The hopes of the New York Giant and Jets to build a new $1.2bn shared super stadium in New Jersey have taken a big step forward after the NFL approved $300m in loans.

DISNEY TO BUY EUROPEAN SPORTS CHANNEL - 5 Dec 06

US media group Disney is to acquire the North American Sports Network in a bid to expand the reach of its ESPN channels.

NFL TO OFFER FIRST LIVE WEBCASTS - 1 Dec 06

The NFL is set to provide live web broadcasts of its own NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday matches to Verizon's Fios and DirecTV television and Internet subscribers.

DISNEY INTERESTED IN NASN? - 26 Oct 06

The North American Sports Network owned by Setanta Sports and private equity company Benchmark Capital is reportedly the subject of interest from Disney.

NFL TEAMS PLAY DOWN DIRTY BOMB THREAT - 20 Oct 06

Security forces in the US say there will be no additional measures rolled out this weekend after a threat of dirty bombs being released at a string of NFL stadiums was deemed ‘not credible’.

PLAYERS INC RECRUIT EXEC - 16 Oct 06

The licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players’ Association has hired Dextor Santos as vice president of player marketing.

NFL ON US RATINGS HIGH - 9 Oct 06

US Networks NBC, ESPN and Fox reported that viewing for NFL games so far this season is among the highest in history, with broadcasts challenging for network top spots on a weekly basis.

OLN SWITCHES TO 'VERSUS' - 25 Sep 06

US cable and satellite channel OLN, which acquired NHL TV rights last year, changed its name to Versus.

NFL AND SKY ANNOUNCE NEW FOUR-YEAR PARTNERSHIP - 20 Sep 06

American football’s National Football League has awarded Pay-TV broadcaster Sky the UK and Irish rights to the NFL under a new four-year deal, up until the end of the 2010-2011 season.

NFL AND APPLE OFFER NFL HIGHLIGHTS VIA ITUNES STORE - 13 Sep 06

The National Football League (NFL) and Apple® agreed a deal for highlights of all Regular Season NFL Games & NFL GameDay to be available via the iTunes store.

NFL AND FMI EXTEND MERCHANDISE PARTNERSHIP - 31 Aug 06

The NFL has signed a new long-term deal keeping Facility Merchandising Incorporated (FMI) as the exclusive merchandise partner for the Super Bowl.

NEW CFO FOR GREENS WORLDWIDE - 29 Aug 06

US sports marketing and management firm Greens Worldwide have appointed a new chief financial officer.

LERNER'S VILLA STAKE CONFIRMED - 25 Aug 06

The London Stock Exchange has announced that Randy Lerner, who owns the Cleveland Browns NFL team, now owns 59.69% of EPL Club Aston Villa.

TAGLIABUE: I'M GOING TO DISAPPEAR - 24 Aug 06

Exiting NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue says he is ‘glad it’s over’ as he prepares to bow out of one of world sport’s most powerful positions.

NFL CHOOSES GOODELL AS NEW COMMISSIONER - 9 Aug 06

The US National Football League’s 32 team owners chose Roger Goodell to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner.

ASTON VILLA IN TAKEOVER TALKS - 26 Jul 06

US billionaire Randy Lerner and UK businessman Michael Neville will both put in bids for English Premier League club Aston Villa today.

SOUTH AMERICAN FEDERATION UNAWARE OF BID - 18 Jul 06

The South American Football Confederation said it was unaware of a Colombian bid to host football's 2014 World Cup finals.

BIG TV DEAL FOR BIG TEN - 21 Jun 06

US collegiate sports’ Big Ten Conference has unveiled two major new ‘milestone’ media agreements – including the launch of a dedicated TV channel.

NHL SET TO HIKE UP SALARY CAP? - 21 Jun 06

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is set to increase the league’s salary cap by $5m next season to $44m, according to reports in the US.

SORENSTAM'S FEARS OVER LPGA FUTURE - 14 Jun 06

The world’s number one woman golfer has expressed concerns over the future of the LPGA after a spate of executive departures.

OAKLAND A OWNERS GET MLS TEAM OPTION - 24 May 06

Major League Soccer has signed a deal with the owners of the Oakland Athletics to bring professional soccer back to the Bay Area.

BUSH APPROACHED TO REPLACE NFL BOSS - 24 May 06

The brother of US President George Bush has revealed he was approached about replacing Paul Tagliabue as the new commissioner of the NFL.

TAGLIABUE REPLACEMENT HUNT STEPS UP - 24 May 06

The search for a replacement to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue is gathering steam with owners set to whittle down potential candidates to a short list of three to five.

UEFA TO HOLD TALKS WITH NEW FIGC CHIEF - 24 May 06

UEFA chief executive Lars Christer Olsson has confirmed he will be holding talks with the new head of Italian soccer federation the FIGC to discuss the match-fixing allegations which have shook the sport – and its impact on a host of key upcoming decisions.

SONY'S HDTV SPONSOR DEAL - 23 May 06

Sony has signed a new ‘multi-faceted’ sponsorship deal with the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.

BIG HOUSE SETS OUT ON ROAD TO GET EVEN BIGGER - 21 May 06

The largest American football stadium in the world is about to get even bigger, after a $226m renovation scheme for Michigan Stadium has given initial approval.

TAGLIABUE SUCCESSOR HUNT GETS HELPING HAND - 14 May 06

The race to replace NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has taken another twist after an organisation pushing for more diversity in the league formally submitted four candidates for the job.

ARNIE WANTS DOUBLE NFL SUCCESS - 3 May 06

Arnold Schwarzenegger has vowed the NFL will be back in Los Angeles – and is lobbying the league to locate two teams in the area.

BREEDERS' CUP PURSE RISES TO $20M - 3 May 06

The prize pot for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships has rocketed – up a staggering $6m.

BUSH SIGNS WITH ADIDAS - 26 Apr 06

Sportswear giant adidas has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with the man expected to take the NFL by storm in the new season – Reggie Bush.

GERMANY TO CHALLENGE EU TOBACCO BAN? - 23 Apr 06

The issue of tobacco advertising around major sporting events could be about to reignited amid claims the German government is set to challenge the European Union over a ban.