South America

Rio de Janeiro’s organising committee for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games has fired 10 employees for stealing files from its counterpart LOCOG during the London 2012 Games.

Adidas has extended one of its longest-running kit partnerships by renewing its deal with Argentine giant River Plate through to December 2018.

London’s staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has raised the bar for Rio 2016 but has also served to increase the commercial appeal of the events, according to Brazil’s Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes.

Soccerex has announced that key officials from Brazil’s local organising committee (LOC) for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Ricardo Trade and Bebeto, will speak at the Soccerex Global Convention in Rio de Janeiro from November 24-28.

Sao Paulo has ended its search for a main shirt sponsor by signing a lucrative new deal with Semp Toshiba.

Soccerex has announced that FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke will open the 2012 Soccerex Global Convention, which takes place in Rio de Janeiro from November 24-28.

The Rio 2016 organising committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games has appointed Renato Ciuchini as its chief commercial officer (CCO).

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has sealed a seven-and-a-half year deal for MasterCard to become a new sponsor of the national team.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR) has fallen off the schedule of 2012-13 Sevens World Series host destinations due to “logistical challenges”.

Patrick Nally poses the idea of an 'Olympic Campus' hosting Olympic Houses at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The Pitch International agency has signed a 10-year contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for the rights to organise, promote and commercialise all Brazil international friendly matches.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has confirmed that the introduction of an age limit at future Olympic Games is being discussed, but has stated that the controversial measure is unlikely to be introduced in time for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.

International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Ching-Kuo Wu stated he wants to double the number of women’s weight categories for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro as the sport made history on Thursday.

The organisers of Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Olympic Games have stated their event will see fewer empty seats than London 2012, adding that a ‘fill the stadiums’ plan will be put in place to avoid such issues.

Rio 2016 has made a key appointment as its preparations continue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games by naming Marco Aurélio Costa Vieira as its new chief operating officer.

Corinthians has maintained its status as the most valuable club in Brazil, but auditing and consulting company BDO said a significant gap remains between the Campeonato Brasileiro’s elite and Europe’s leading clubs.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has furthered its quest to develop the sport in Asia and South America by announcing that Chile and Hong Kong will host the Junior World Rugby Trophy in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

International sports business market SPORTEL has announced its return to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 spring market, which will be held from 11-13 of March, at the Sofitel Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.