Sponsorship & Marketing

Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone and the European Union (EU) competition commissioner have made headway in talks on commercial control of the sport, according to EU officials.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. would be allowed to continue its title sponsorship of NASCAR's premier racing series under the proposed settlement with state attorney general.

Title sponsor of rugby?s Five Nations tournament, Lloyds TSB, says it will `review its position? if England does not compete in this year?s event, which begins next month.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) corruption crisis has thrown doubt over its sponsorship of the Olympics.

Sports marketing heavyweights ISL have launched a new Tennis Division to handle the ATP Tour?s Super 9 tournaments and the ITF?s Fed Cup.

Ben Johnson, the disgraced Canadian sprinter who received a life-time ban from the IAAF in 1993 for registering excessive testosterone levels, may be allowed to race again.

Australian bank Westpac has harnessed the power of children and popular athletes such as swimmer Susie O'Neill to keep its Olympic association positive in a sea of scandal.

An independent report is pushing for a windfall tax to be imposed on the most profitable English soccer Premier League clubs, if contracts with broadcasters continue to escalate in value.

Manchester United will take another step towards global brand status by opening a chain of retail shops in the Middle East.

Starter Corps, the company which became one of the leading manufacturers of team-licensed sportswear in the 70's and 80's, has had a $46m bid offered by a consortium of five companies approved by a federal bankruptcy judge.

WorldWideSports.com (WWS), the Internet sporting goods retailer, has appointed Ed Kinnaly, a 14 year veteran of the sporting goods industry, vice president of marketing.

Guinness announced a 15 per cent sales increase in the UK for the September/October period during which they sponsored the Rugby World Cup.

Dick Schultz, who resigned from the NCAA under pressure six years ago, is under fire at the US Olympic Committee and could be replaced as executive director, perhaps before the Sydney Olympics next year, USA Today reports.

Sportinglife.com, the UK?s multi-sports website, has joined forces with Amstel, Europe?s second largest beer brand, to produce a site which will allow soccer fans to follow the UEFA Champions League over the next eight months.
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Digital sports content provider TEAMtalk Media Group plc has recorded an operating loss of #2.3million ($3.4m/?3.6m) for the three months to June 30 but still sees profitability on plan in 2003/04.

English soccer giant Manchester United has formed a `co-marketing venture? with the US? World Wrestling Federation.