Media

China is set to become the world's largest football nation - but it will take years of investment before a commercial market emerges, a western investor in the Chinese game has said.

The UK-based Horse of the Year show is moving from its traditional London home.

Allianz AG, Europe's biggest insurer, and Bayern Munich have confirmed they were in talks about a deal under which Allianz would become sponsor for Munich's new EUR250million ($223.8m) stadium.

Boxing's most lucrative ever fight has finally been agreed according to reports - with both Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis set to pocket a $17million (EUR18.9m) purse.

Security steps to ensure a safe Winter Games will see flights in and out of Salt Lake City airport suspended at certain times during the event, according to media reports.

UK sports sponsorship consultants Craigie Taylor International has signed a deal with broadcasting network London News Network (LNN) for an undisclosed sum.

Sunday sees the launch of live telephone and internet sales for tickets to this year's Commonwealth Games.

Pan-European broadcaster Eurosport has opened a sales operation in Madrid.

The split in darts is no closer to narrowing in 2002 as players continue to make the difficult choice of remaining loyal to the incumbent British Darts Organisation (BDO) or Barry Hearn's Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).

Steve Flanagan has been appointed as vice president of corporate alliances for Clear Channel Entertainment, owners of the SFX Sports Group.

Viacom subsidiary CBS Broadcasting has increased its stake in SportsLine.com to 32 percent following a new issue of stock.

Next week will see English Premier League club Derby County become the fourth team after Southampton, Chelsea and Aston Villa to launch its first ever regional digital radio station.

Sat.1 Schweiz has bought the exclusive live rights to show in Switzerland all 64 games from the 2002 World Cup Japan/Korea.

EchoStar has removed ESPN Classic from its Dish Network after a dispute with ESPN owners Disney over carriage fees.

English Premier League soccer club Liverpool is set to broadcast its first full game over the internet.

The Walt Disney Company-owned networks ABC and ESPN have won the US rights to broadcast the next two World Cups and Major League Soccer (MLS) for the next five years, confirming their predicted long-term interest in the sport.