Media
National races past FA Cup
The Grand National proved its appeal to the UK audience again at the weekend, after more than 10m viewers tuned into watch the race – easily beating the numbers tuning in for the FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United.
WTA recruits new legal chief
The WTA Tour has appointed a new senior executive to handle legal affairs – including TV rights and sponsorship contracts.
CPS gets RFU into M&S
A range of England Rugby branded kids clothes launches at UK High Street retailer Marks & Spencer this month after a deal was struck with Copyright Promotions Sport (CPS), the global licensing agency for the English RFU.
MLB boosts marketing team
John Brody has been appointed to senior vice president of corporate sales and marketing at Major League Baseball Properties.
TalkSport goes global
UK commercial radio station talkSPORT is to greatly increase its audience after signing a carriage deal on a digital radio platform aimed at expatriates around the world.
Inmarsat wins top award
Satellite specialist Inmarsat has scooped three top sponsorship awards for its work with the World Rally Championships.
Navigator steers EAA forward
UK sports marketing firm Navigator has signed a deal to become a major marketing partner of the European Athletic Association (EAA),
Dorfman joins new motor series
A major new global motorsport series is to be launched next year – with nations rather than individuals battling it out for glory.
Sky Bets on speedway
Sky Bet has signed a two-year deal to become the title sponsor of British Speedway’s Elite League.
Kent revamps online offering
English county cricket club Kent has launched a new-look website – giving supporters the chance to buy tickets online for the first time.
Sun rises for MLB
Major League Baseball has extended its technology alliance with Sun Microsystems for a further two years.
Sky’s the limit for Aura
UK broadcaster Sky has snapped up a 20 percent stake in online advertising experts Aura Sports.
The Tote signs cricket sponsorship
Totesport has signed a major sponsorship deal for naming rights to English cricket’s National Cricket League (NCL).
NHL approves Thrashers sale
The NHL has approved the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers from Time Warner to the Atlanta Spirit investment group.
NFL starts new TV deal talks
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has been told he is to get a new contract – and has confirmed he is set to open negotiations for a new domestic TV package.
Casino’s naked ambition
Online casino GoldenPalace.com’s unconventional use of advertising in sport raised a few eyebrows at the weekend when one of its streakers ran onto the ice during the World Figure Skating Championships in Germany.
QSi set for bumper crowds
A major sport industry exhibition in Qatar is on course to smash previous records as the countdown begins to the event, which gets underway next weekend.
FA names Euro TV partners
Sportfive has emerged as the major player after the English Football Association (FA) confirmed its new European TV partners for the 2004-5 to 2007-8 period.