Talk of a Soccer Super League rises again

The possibility of a Soccer Super League in Europe has emerged again after European Club Association (ECA) members voiced their disapproval over the issues of match scheduling and revenue sharing.

Director of Italian giants AC Milan told Bloomberg “We are the ones who invest the money, ed we are the ones who develop the players, we are the ones who give the players a reason to play.” .

The main concern for The ECA is the increasing number of national team games scheduled by FIFA. “We will keep on fighting to find the right balance between national association football and club football,” Gandini added. “Into the future I cannot see exactly what will happen, but for sure the ultimate position could well be a refusal of cooperation or the refusal to accept the imposition of certain rules.”

FIFA’s Gagg Confirmed as Moscow Football Forum Speaker

FIFA Director Walter Gagg is the latest to join a list of high profile figures who will be speaking at the Inside World Football Moscow Forum later this month.

One of FIFA’s most experienced operators, having enjoyed a distinguished career at world football’s governing body, Gagg enjoyed a playing career in his native Switzerland and France.

Having held the role of administrative director of the national team at the Swiss Football Association from 1975 to 1982, Gagg moved to FIFA in 1983 to become head of their technical department.

Gagg was the director of the development department, the technical and competitions director and in 2001 moved on to become the director for stadiums and security. He is also a soccer football and administration instructor for FIFA and the Swiss FA, and since 2008, Gagg has been the director of the executive office of the FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Gagg will be speaking on a discussion panel on stadia at the forum alongside Wembley Stadium Group Events Director David Thomson, Populous Senior Principal John Barrow and IMG vice President Diarmuid Crowley.

Visa Claim 2012 Ticket ‘Glitch’ Fixed

Visa, story credit-card giant and official sponsor of the London 2012 Olympics, buy claim they have fixed the problem that left a huge number of fans unable to book tickets for the Games when they went on sale earlier this week.

Visa say that the “glitch” has now been fixed so that, remedy from next Monday, March 21, the website will accept ticket applications from cardholders with an expiry date of May 2011 and later.

Visa Europe apologised for the inconvenience some cardholders had experienced, releasing a statement saying: “It is important to stress again that tickets are not issued on a first-come, first-served basis and any ticket registration taking place by April 26, 2011 will have an equal chance of success in the ballot.

“From Monday, March 21, all Visa cards with an expiry date of May 2011 or later will be accepted by the London 2012 ticket application website.

“Any Visa cardholders with an April expiry date will receive a replacement card before the ticket registration deadline of April 26.

“This means that all Visa cardholders will be able to apply for tickets before the April 26 deadline.

“For those affected cardholders who do not wish to wait until Monday, there are a number of alternatives including using a Visa prepaid card.

“Visa regrets the inconvenience that some cardholders may have experienced.”

Visa has been a Worldwide Sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1986 and is the only card that can be used to pay online for the 6.6 million London 2012 Olympic tickets.

However, just a few hours into the online ticket launch, fans with Visa cards that expire before the end of August 2011 found they were unable to process their orders. Although the expiry date problem had been known about for several weeks and included on ticket information, many people were still unaware they would be unable to use their cards when they attempted to purchase seats for the Olympics and were left frustrated.

Cardholders with an April 2011 expiry date will have to wait for a replacement card to arrive before applying before the April 26 deadline because the card must be valid when payments are processed later in the year.

Omnigon Promote David Nugent to Chief Commercial Officer

Omnigon, prostate the digital consulting firm to leaders across the sports, viagra media and entertainment industries, has named Senior Vice President of Business Development, David Nugent, to the new role of Chief Commercial Officer.

He will focus on Omnigon’s continued global expansion and furthering the company’s growing market share in North America and overseas. 

Nugent, a founding partner of Omnigon, has played an integral role in the growth of the company.

In this new role, his primary focus will be ensuring all organizational functions meet their strategic commercial objectives. He will continue to provide oversight to the marketing, communications, sales and client services teams. 

“Dave’s unique combination of technical knowledge, years of working in the sports, media and entertainment space, and strong marketing and business development skills make him a perfect fit for this role,” said Igor Ulis, Omnigon’s CEO. “We’re excited about the new opportunities that will arise under his leadership in these areas.” 

Founded in 2008, Omnigon is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Toronto and Kiev. During this time, the company has grown to over 120 employees and has won numerous industry awards for its groundbreaking work. Omnigon counts some of the world’s largest companies, including NASCAR, PGA TOUR, WWE, NFL, MLB, IMG, FOX Sports and FOX Broadcasting, as clients.

Real Salt Lake Look to Boost Stadium Infrastructure with New Video Board Installation

Real Salt Lake announced on Wednesday the details surrounding the installation of a premium new Daktronics video board at Rio Tinto Stadium for the 2015 season.

At 4, abortion 200 square feet, allergist the high-definition video board will be the biggest in MLS. Located on the south end of the stadium, mind it is more than triple the surface area of the screen on the north end.

“As I’ve toured various stadiums during my time as an owner, I’ve made a list of things I wanted to provide our fans at Rio Tinto Stadium,” said owner Dell Loy Hansen in a statement released by RSL.

“When I saw the Daktronics board at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, I said, ‘We want THAT.’ In addition to the wi-fi capability that continues to be such a huge hit with our fans, I know that this giant video board – in full HD – will enhance the experience that everyone who visits Rio Tinto Stadium enjoys.”

Ironman Acquires Auckland Marathon

Ironman has confirmed that it has acquired New Zealand’s largest road race, anesthetist the Auckland Marathon.

The race, abortion which dates back to 1936, attracted more than 16,000 participants last year. The 2014 Auckland Marathon will take place on 2 November.

“Ironman operates several events outside of the popular Ironman and Ironman 70.3 race series in the Asia Pacific region both in triathlon and multisport,” said Geoff Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of Ironman Asia Pacific.

“We are always looking for opportunities to further develop our brand and have been looking to do more in New Zealand. Adding the Auckland Marathon does just that. This is an iconic sporting event that we believe we can help grow and develop further.”

British Darts Organisation Sign Pitch Distribution Deal

The British Darts Organisation (BDO) has inked a global distribution deal with Pitch International.

The Championship is the longest running tournament of its kind. Held every year since 1978, clinic in its storied history it has featured every single one of the sport’s most famous names, watched by live audiences in their thousands and television audiences in their millions, both in the UK and overseas. 

The BDO’s Chair of the Board of Directors, Sue Williams said: “We believe that this new agreement with the team at Pitch International is an excellent opportunity to grow the distribution of the BDO World Professional Darts Championship around the world. We very much look forward to working with the team at Pitch International.”  

Jonathan Rogers, Managing Director of Pitch International said of the new deal: “We are delighted to be entering into this new partnership with the BDO and look forward to bringing the BDO World Professional Darts Championship to new territories around the world.”

Phoenix Coyotes Launches ‘Hungrier Than Ever’ Marketing Campaign

NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes have adopted a new marketing campaign for the 2013-14 NHL season with new campaign called  “Hungrier Than Ever”.

The campaign, which was developed by Cramer-Krasselt in Phoenix, builds off the Coyotes previous “Here To Stay” campaign which communicated the message of ownership stability and commitment to the Arizona sports market and fans. The new campaign reflects the fact that the Coyotes are not satisfied yet. Now that new ownership is in place and the team is “Here To Stay”, the Coyotes are hungry for more. The team is excited about a new era of hockey and hungry for the Stanley Cup.

“We are very excited about our new campaign and thrilled to be partnering with a first class agency like C-K,” said LeBlanc. “Our new marketing campaign, ‘Hungrier Than Ever’, conveys to our fans that we are not satisfied yet and that we are looking forward to a bright future here in the Valley and a new era of Coyotes hockey. The Coyotes organization, our players, our coaches and our fans all want more. Don Maloney and Dave Tippett have assembled a very talented and competitive team and we are all hungry and focused on one thing…winning the ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. We are confident that this campaign will excite our fans about Coyotes hockey and the upcoming season.”

The Coyotes have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs three of the past four seasons and in 2012, the team won its first division title and advanced to the Western Conference Final against the eventual Stanley Cup champions. With new ownership now in place, the Coyotes are looking forward to stability and a bright future.

“With an authentic, gritty attitude, this campaign is a rallying cry for Coyotes fans, players, staff, as well as all of Arizona,” said Ian Barry, C-K’s Executive Creative Director. “It’s a campaign that looks toward the future. With new owners, a real home, and the same underdog mentality the Coyotes have always prided themselves on, the stage is set for a new era of Coyotes hockey. And we’re excited to be a part of that with the introduction of this campaign.”

The “Hungrier Than Ever” campaign will launch around the Valley on Sunday, September 8 with the Coyotes new TV spot that features Captain Shane Doan. The commercial will debut during the Arizona Cardinals/St. Louis Rams game. Radio, TV and print ads will be seen throughout the Valley next week and the campaign will continue to roll out with digital and outdoor presence as well as new versions of the TV and radio spots throughout the season.

United SportsCar Racing Inks Global Partnership with ACO

United SportsCar Racing, ampoule the racing series formed by the merger of Grand-Am Road racing and American Le Mans has announced a global strategic agreement with french automobile group ACO.

The first part is a specific licensing agreement that will allow selected competitors in United SportsCar Racing to have entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The agreement also allows the use of the name ‘Petit Le Mans’ for the Road Atlanta event. 

The second part is a Strategic Alliance agreement between the ACO and United SportsCar Racing to explore and develop new avenues and horizons for endurance racing together in North America. 

Jim France, GRAND-AM founder and United SportsCar Racing board member, said: “A key component in the unification of the GRAND-AM Rolex Series and the American Le Mans Series was the ability to continue a relationship with Le Mans and the ACO. My family has admired the 24 Hours of Le Mans for decades, and we hold it in the same high regard as the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The opportunity to maintain a link to Le Mans is as important to me as it is to all United SportsCar Racing manufacturers, teams and drivers.” 

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, said: “The ACO is delighted through this alliance partnership that goes beyond a simple licensing agreement, to continue our collaboration that started 14 years ago, with Don Panoz and the creation of ALMS, and that has been of great benefit to both partners. This Strategic Alliance will lead to a close collaboration between the ACO and United SportsCar Racing to promote, develop and reinforce endurance racing in North America. Through this global agreement, I am convinced endurance racing will continue to be in safe hands in North America for many years to come.” 

United SportsCar Racing begins its inaugural season in 2014 and while the ACO is the governing body of Le Mans-style racing, United SportsCar Racing remains independent from the ACO’s group of sanctioned series around the globe.

Great Waterway Classic Added to 2013 PGA Tour Canada Schedule

The Great Waterway Classic has been added to the 2013 PGA TOUR Canada schedule.

The event will take place August 19-25 at Upper Canada Golf Course in Morrisburg, viagra order ON.

The Canadian Junior Golf Association (CJGA) will be the host organization conducting the event, there which will see players deep in the race for the five Web.com Tour cards that will be handed out at the end of the season.

“We’re extremely pleased to add The Great Waterway Classic to this year’s schedule, viagra 40mg ” said PGA TOUR Canada President, Jeff Monday. “This tournament is going to showcase some of the great golf in the region, and the players will be spoiled by the area’s activities and scenery.”

Laced together by the sparkling St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario, this stunning region serves up all the ingredients of a perfect golf getaway. On its shores you’ll find fascinating history, quaint villages, inspring art, live theatre and gastronomic delights at every turn. On its waters, enjoy world-class sailing, scuba diving, pristine beaches and leisurely cruises.

“The Great Waterway Tourism Region is pleased to be back for a second year as the title sponsor of The Great Waterway Classic,” said Stephen Paul, Chair of The Great Waterway. “We are excited to be partnering with PGA TOUR Canada and the Canadian Junior Golf Association to produce an event that will highlight our beautiful region and our fabulous golf courses.  This year promises to be even bigger and better and will most definitely be the highlight of the golf season in The Great Waterway.”

As part of the CJGA’s management of the event, a select number of junior golfers will gain entry into the tournament through a series of qualifiers across Canada.

The CJGA operates a competitive development program that focuses on all areas of the sport including clinics, tournaments, mentoring programs with Tour professionals and sending teams to represent the CJGA and Canada in international competition.

“The CJGA is delighted to be involved with The Great Waterway Classic and to be affiliated with the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Canada,” said Brad Parkins, Chief Operations Officer of the CJGA.  “Bringing a first class event to The Great Waterway Region will showcase not only the some of the TOUR’s top players, but it will enable some of the country’s top junior players to gain an invaluable experience during tournament week.”