MENA

Israel?s soccer league kicks off this weekend, and for many clubs the main goal will be avoiding relegation or surviving a season already overshadowed by cash problems.

Retired basketball legend Michael Jordan has confirmed he will head operations of the NBA's Washington Wizards and become a part-owner of the team.

NBA Commissioner David Stern cut two more weeks off the NBA schedule, and then met with the players to see if the sides could compromise on the "guts" of a new deal. The earliest the season could begin is now December 1st.

The Italian grand Prix, due to take place in Monza in September, could be in jeopardy, following a decision by the prosecution in the Ayrton Senna trial to appeal against the acquittal of two members of the William's team on manslaughter charges.

English soccer club Crystal Palace is trying to establish a partnership with Walt Disney World to become the entertainment giant's official football club.

Formula One needs to strike a balance between glamour and high-technology, team owner Eddie Jordan has said.

The #11million ($17m) management buy in of the global rugby brand James Gilbert Limited has been supported by a major private equity company

This year?s NBA All-Star Game received the lowest rating in the history of the event, scoring a 6.9 rating and a 12 share on NBC.

India has made a bid to stage the 15th Asian Games in 2006.

The campaign team behind South Africa's bid to host the 2006 World Cup will end its global charm offensive in the coming week with visits to Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Dubai has increased the value of the World Cup by $1 million to $5 million, making it the world's richest horse race, a local newspaper has reported.

Tim Clarke, chief director airline, Air Emirates, the new $36million shirt sponsors of Premier League club Chelsea, has told sportbusiness.com why the west London club was chosen as ?one of the cornerstones of the Emirates global portfolio of sponsorships?

Africa?s hopes of staging the 2010 World Cup were dashed after more than 130 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede at a soccer game in Ghana's capital, Accra, in Africa's worst soccer tragedy.

KSS Sports and Leisure Design Ltd, the London-based Sports Entertainment design group, have been selected by the Haifa Economic Corporation Ltd, to masterplan and design the new Haifa Sports Complex in Israel.

MVP.com board members John Elway, Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, joined CEO John Costello in launching MVP.com, the online destination for high-quality sports, fitness, and outdoor gear and apparel.

A basic framework for an NBA labour agreement appeared to be in place following eight hours of talks Wednesday between NBA owners and players but both sides acknowledged they were not yet close to making a deal.