NBA Sues Players Union as the Lockout Drags On

The National Basketball Association (NBA) are suing its players association, asking a court to rule that the league’s lockout of players doesn’t violate antitrust law.

The basis of the suit comes from the union’s “threatened use of antitrust litigation to extract more favorable terms and conditions of employment” in collective-bargaining negotiations, the NBA said in a complaint filed today in federal court in Manhattan.

The NBA also said: “The union’s improper threats of antitrust litigation are having a direct, immediate and harmful effect upon the ability of the parties to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.”

The case was assigned to U.S District Judge Paul Gardephe with league seeking court orders validating that the lockout doesn’t violate antitrust laws and that the federal courts don’t have any jurisdiction to end the lockout.

The meeting yesterday between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NPBA) bore no fruit as no consensus could be made on a new labour contract since the lockout began one month ago.

The NBA also filed an unfair labor practices charge with the National Relations Labour Board (NLRB) today, accusing the players association of failing to negotiate in good faith, the league said in a statement. In May, the union filed a complaint against the league with the NLRB.

William Hunter, the union’s executive director, expects the players association will seek the dismissal of both the lawsuit and the unfair labour practice charge.

The association “has not made any decision to disclaim its role as the collective bargaining representative of the players and has been engaged in good faith bargaining with the NBA for over two years,” Hunter said in a statement. “We urge the NBA to engage with us at the bargaining table and to use more productively the short time we have left before the 2011-12 season is seriously jeopardized.”

The union has threatened on more than two dozen occasions to give up its role as the exclusive bargaining representative of league players, the NBA said in its complaint.

The NBA also said: “The NBPA’s threatened ‘disclaimer’ is nothing more than an impermissible negotiating tactic, which the union incorrectly believes would enable it to commence an antitrust challenge to the NBA’s lockout, which the union in turn believes would strengthen its position in negotiations over a renewed labor agreement.”

The case is National Basketball Association v. National Basketball Players Association, 11-cv-05369, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

Soccerex Name Mayne-Nicholls as Latin-American Ambassador

Soccerex has announced that Harold Mayne-Nicholls, link former President of the Chilean FA and the man who was a key member of FIFA’s technical inspection team for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids, unhealthy has joined as a Latin-American Ambassador of the event.

Mayne-Nicholls has a wealth of soccer experience having played an integral role in the growth and development of the game across the Latin-American region. He will be playing a leading role in the continued growth of Soccerex across the Central and South American continent.

Commenting on his involvement, health Mayne-Nicholls stated: “I am delighted to be partnering with Soccerex and to be part of such an exciting and reputable company. The upcoming Soccerex Global Convention will be fantastic benefit to the region in the build up to the World Cup. Soccerex will bring the World’s business leaders together and it is important that Latin America’s key business contacts are here to meet them. I look forward to welcoming my industry peers to Soccerex later in the year.”

In recent year’s Soccerex has attracted leading South American soccer figures such as João Havelange and Ricardo Teixeira as well as playing legends like Carlos Alberto Torres, Ricky Villa, Ossie Ardiles, Elías Figueroa, Zico, Denílson, Jorginho, Cafu and Romario. Leading clubs from across the continent such as Boca Juniors, Chivas, Once Caldas, Racing Club, Flamengo and Santos FC to name a few have all participated in recent editions.

Johnson Warns Hoteliers Against ’12 Accommodation Increases

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has urged local hoteliers against escalating cost of hotel accommodation in the capital during Olympic-time next year after fears that it could mar the event.

Both the Financial Times and The Sunday Times have pointed up reports of price-jacking in the same week as the organising operation launched ticket sales, with Johnson stating: “Hiking up prices and taking advantage of London’s guests in 2012 is just wrong. I urge all right-thinking  hoteliers to distance themselves from these sharks and get in line now to sign up to Visit Britain’s fair price charter.”

Thomas Cook has come in for heavy criticism as well as the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) for awarding the tour operator exclusive rights to sell packages of tickets and rooms ranging between £198 and £13,998 depending on the class of hotel and the perceived value of the event-tickets included.

Despite Games officials making available 6.6m Olympic tickets to the public last Tuesday, the ticket guarantees to sponsors and corporate operators have led to speculation that only 35,000 tickets for Olympic Stadium events will be available for the public ballot.

LOCOG chairman Lord Coe responded by warning hotels that over-pricing would backfire because ‘Games tourists’ would be able to find themselves more economical accommodation.

Tag Heuer – The Official Watch Of England Rugby

Watch manufacturer’s TAG Heuer has signed an agreement with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to become the official watch of England Rugby.

The deal takes effect immediately as TAG Heuer strengthen its ties with sport.

The long and established traditions of the RFU sit perfectly alongside TAG Heuer’s own, who just 50 years after the establishment of the RFU, opened its UK operations in 1873, whilst Edouard Heuer was at the helm of the business.

The brand also has ties with WTA tennis champion Maria Sharapova, Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Arena Football League Appoints Butera as New Commissioner

The Arena Football League (AFL) announced today that entertainment and hospitality executive Scott C. Butera has been named the League’s seventh Commissioner.

Butera will leave his post as CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino to assume his new duties.

As Commissioner, ailment Butera’s initial focus will be on increasing consumer awareness of the AFL brand so that it can grow revenues through strategic partnerships and sponsor programs. He will also work closely with League President Jerry Kurz on football operations to maximize opportunities to integrate spectator experiences.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Arena Football League as its next Commissioner,” said Butera.

“The AFL has a rich history and it provides fans with a high quality, highly entertaining brand of football at prices fans can afford,” he continued. “With a strong core product and owners who are truly committed to the long-term success of the league, I am convinced that we can leverage our media contracts to produce increased exposure for the League and the sponsor revenue opportunities that go along with it.

“Arena Football has an appeal to a younger generation of fans who appreciate the pace of the game, its social media potential and the intimacy of the arena experience,” Butera said. “That said, I think we can become a truly prominent sport in the United States and abroad.”

FIBA Reveals Digital Output for Basketball World Cup

The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup have revealed the digital output on FIBA’s platforms.

On FIBA’s YouTube Channel, the more than 500 videos from Spain 2014 resulted in over 30 million views and the channel doubled its number of subscribers with more than 126,000 people now following FIBA on the platform.

FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann said: “The accomplishments and milestones achieved during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup prove that we have established a very strong presence on digital platforms. Moving forward, FIBA will continue to bring our events closer to our fans using innovative digital tools. Basketball is a young sport with youth fans and we always have to keep in mind having the most efficient way possible to reach our audience across the globe.”

Claude Ruibal, Global Head of Sports for YouTube said: “Spain 2014 was a sensational event for FIBA and for YouTube. The FIBA digital team created tons of audience engagement by posting lots of high quality clips and highlights that helped fans get a broader and deeper connection with the game.”

Posts on FIBA’s Facebook page reached 189 million people and received more than 5 million likes.

Meanwhile, more than 4.3 million tweets about the FIBA Basketball World Cup were sent during the tournament, with 866,000 of them using the official hashtag #Spain2014. The 360 degree vine videos of the winning teams generated a huge engagement and were played over 3 million times.

FIBA.com/Spain2014 had 33 million visits and 90 million page views over the course of the tournament.

The FIBA Game Center App was downloaded more than 250,000, generating 1.4 million visits and 8.5 million page views.

Doha Wins Bid to Host 2018 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships

Doha in Qatar have won the right to host the 48th edition of FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in 2018, apoplectic the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has revealed. 

As the only bidder, arthritis Qatar will welcome the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships for the first time in the nation’s history. 

Bruno Grandi, President of the FIG said commented on the announcement: “I do look forward to being in Doha in 2018. I congratulate my friends Ali Al Hitmi, and Abdul Rahman Al Shathri and all those who contributed to the success of this bid, in particular the National Olympic Committee.I am confident that the Gymnastics stars of the world will feel welcomed in their second home, Qatar.”

Speaking after the bid announcement, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Comittee (QOC) secretary general Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said: “It is a great honour for Qatar to be granted the opportunity to host the 48th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Doha in 2018. I’d like to thank the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for the trust their members have shown in Qatar and their confidence in our abilities to stage such a highly prestigious global event. 

“We are looking forward to hosting a truly memorable World Championships that is delivered to the highest possible standards. Qatar has strong foundations and commitment to Gymnastics through our successful Schools Olympic Program but hosting the World Championships in 2018 has the potential to open up the sport even further and inspire a new generation.”

The winning bid was based upon an ‘all in one’ concept with Doha ready to host the championships at renowned and state of the art Aspire Zone. 

Established in 2000, Qatar Gymnastics Federation has quickly made steady progress towards its development goals for the sport. Already a successful host of seven editions of the FIG World Challenge Cup. 

Commenting on the bid win Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF), added: “This is the proudest time in the history of Qatar Gymnastics Federation and I’d like to thank Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, for making it possible with his ongoing support and long-term vision for Gymnastics. Our genuine commitment and love of this sport as well as its emergence within our nation has been recognised and endorsed by International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) who granted us this prestigious honour.” 

“As we look ahead the planning is already underway to ensure the worlds’ best gymnasts are given every opportunity to put on inspiring performances and live their world championships dream in Doha. The entire Gymnastics family across all international federations will all be made to feel very welcome.”

{jcomments on}

FINA Renew IEC Media Partnership

The World Swimming Federation (FINA) has extended their partnership with IEC in Sports, ampoule the international sports marketing agency owned by Lagardère Unlimited

IEC will remain FINA’s official media agent from 2014 onwards and will distribute the media rights to major FINA properties across the world.

The renewal follows almost a decade of successful collaboration between IEC in Sports and Aquatics. Under the new agreement, capsule the agency will distribute the exclusive worldwide rights to the FINA Swimming World Cup, clinic | FINA Diving World Series, FINA Water Polo World League and FINA Synchronised Swimming World Trophy.

Cornel Marculescu, FINA Executive Director, considered: “As FINA delivers great aquatic competitions, with brilliant stars and superb performances, the successful partnership with IEC in Sports provides valuable support, reinforcing our TV partners and broadcast rights and enhancing the image of our sport across the five continents.”

Daniel Franck, CEO of IEC in Sports and joint-CEO of Lagardère Unlimited’s media hub across Europe and Africa, said: “IEC in Sports has a strong track record of working in aquatic sports, thus the partnership with FINA is a natural fit. We are thrilled to renew our agreement and will be looking to build on this to expand and exploit additional production, digital and marketing opportunities.”

Datalogic Reveals New Oregon Ducks Marketing Initiative

Datalogic, the Official Automatic Data Capture Provider of the Oregon Ducks, has revealed a new video as part of their sponsorship with the University of Oregon Athletics.

The new video is one of many exciting marketing activities planned as part of the sponsorship agreement. Federica Guiotto, Director of Worldwide Marketing for Datalogic states, “We are very excited about our new relationship with the University of Oregon.  Datalogic and the Oregon Ducks are both known for innovation and our partnership will be a great way to build the Datalogic brand in the US.”

Datalogic’s marketing and sponsorship agreement with the University of Oregon Athletics is through IMG College, which is headquartered in Winston Salem, N.C.  

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Generates Millions for Indiana Economy

Events and operations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and associated motorsports businesses generate more than $510 million annually to the Indiana economy, pills according to a study by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute.

“This study shows how the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its associated industries form a powerful engine that helps to drive the Indiana economy, ampoule ” said Mark D. Miles, capsule chief executive officer of Hulman & Company, the parent company of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR. “The Super Bowl brought a tremendous economic impact to Indianapolis and Indiana in 2012, and this state is very fortunate that IMS, its events and associated industries deliver an even greater economic contribution every single year.”

The study addressed the direct and indirect economic contributions made by IMS through its operations, spending by out-of-state visitors to the Indianapolis 500, Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP annual events, and the presence of nearly all INDYCAR race teams and the Dallara facility in the Indianapolis area, which are attracted to Indiana due to the presence of the Speedway.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to play a major economic role throughout Indiana, providing thousands of good jobs for Hoosiers,” said Jeff Belskus, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “The success of IMS and the growth of the motorsports business go hand-in-hand and combine to provide a potent economic force in our state.”

Delivering unbiased research and data-driven, expert analysis, the IU Public Policy Institute is a collaborative research arm within the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. The Institute also supports the Indiana Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (IACIR).

“While racing is a sport that generates an annual Super Bowl of visitors, the analysis proves that it is also a high-tech, advanced manufacturing industry including not just drivers, but engineers, parts manufacturers and a wide range of firms that support the local economy,” said John Krauss, director, IU Public Policy Institute.