FIBA’s Central Board have made key appointments to complete the composition of the Board.

The appointments included Yvan Mainini being elected President of the International Basketball Foundation (IBF).

Here is a list of the members appointed to the Board:
– Mr Richard Carrion (PUR), CEO and Chairman of the Board of Popular, Inc., and a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC);
– Mr Mark Tatum (USA), the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the NBA, as NBA representative;
– Mr Vlade Divac (SRB), President of the National Olympic Committee of Serbia, as Players representative;
– Ms Yulia Anikeeva (RUS), President of the Russian Basketball Federation;
– Mr Manuel V Pangilinan (PHI), President of the Philippines Basketball Federation;
– Mr Erick Thohir (INA), President of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA).

The Central Board also appointed members to the newly-established Executive Committee. In addition to the ex officio members FIBA President Mr Horacio Muratore (ARG), FIBA Secretary General Mr Patrick Baumann (SUI) and FIBA Treasurer Mr Ingo Weiss (GER), the following Central Board members were invited to join them: Mr Richard Carrion (PUR); Mr Turgay Demirel (TUR), President of FIBA Europe; Mr Hamane Niang (MLI), President of FIBA Africa; Mr Jose Luis Saez (ESP), President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB); Mr Burton Shipley (NZL), President of FIBA Oceania.

The Central Board then proceeded with the appointment of three Vice-Presidents. Mr Niang (MLI), former Minister of Sport of Mali, was appointed First Vice-President of FIBA. He is accompanied by Vice-Presidents Mr Demirel (TUR) and Mr Tian Xiao (CHN), China’s Vice Minister of Sport (in charge of basketball).

Williams Advanced Engineering, apoplectic | the engineering services and technology business of the Williams Group, treatment has announced a partnership agreement with XALT Energy, supplier of the lithium ion cells for the Williams’ battery in the Formula E racing series.

As part of this new partnership agreement XALT Energy will become an Official Partner of Williams Advanced Engineering, with the company’s logo featuring on the Williams Advanced Engineering website and other marketing materials.

Williams Advanced Engineering and XALT Energy have worked closely together since June 2013 after Williams was awarded the contract to produce the batteries that will power all 40 cars competing in Formula E, the world’s first fully electric racing series.

XALT Energy have supplied the lithium ion cells for each battery and have been integrated into the Williams team to ensure that the batteries meet stringent performance, reliability and safety criteria.

Speaking about the partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, Subhash Dhar, CEO of XALT Energy outlined; “This alliance is a testimony to XALT Energy’s high performance lithium ion battery technology and the state-of-the-art high volume manufacturing operations in Midland, USA. We are honoured to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering on this important programme and look forward to developing a long term relationship with them.”

Craig Wilson, Managing Director of Williams Advanced Engineering, added; “We are delighted to welcome XALT Energy on board as an Official Partner of Williams Advanced Engineering. The Formula E battery developed by Williams is truly groundbreaking and is pushing the boundaries of existing energy storage technology. We have been careful to source the very best suppliers and XALT are one of the world’s leading battery cell manufacturers. This partnership sets the scene for our two companies to collaborate on future innovations for applications that demand high performance battery technology across a range of industries.”

Badminton England has today launched the National Badminton League (NBL) which they hope will attract new fans to the sport.

As the first ever national league in the UK, the NBL will be shown live on Sky Sports, and gives fans a chance to get behind their favourite national players and brand new teams. All matches from every matchnight will also be available via digital streaming in the UK and across the world taking the NBL to a global audience.

The NBL will feature new rules that present a fast, exciting and attacking format that’s thrilling to watch live and on TV.

The NBL will consist of six franchised teams featuring GB’s best players and new, emerging talent. 

The NBL kicks off on 6 October 2014 with monthly matchnights through to April 2015. This will then be followed by a one day knockout competition featuring the top four teams in June 2015.

The first season will consist of the following successful franchise teams: Birmingham Lions (University of Birmingham), Team Derby (University of Derby), Loughborough Sport (University of Loughborough), UoN Badminton (University of Nottingham), Surrey Smashers (University of Surrey) and Milton Keynes.

The teams will play against each other once, in a mixture of home and away matches.

Badminton England Chief Executive Adrian Christy said: “I am incredibly excited to announce the launch of the first ever professional badminton league in the UK. Badminton is booming in this country right now and the NBL gives fans a chance to get behind a team and support their favourite players.

“This amazing new project will present our sport in such an exciting way – the fastest racket sport just got even faster. It will not only showcase our current players but provide a real inspiration for younger players to want to be part of in the future.

“I am delighted that we have the support of Sky Sports, a brand who has led the way in sport innovation for many years now. Key to the NBL is taking badminton to new audiences, and Sky is brilliant at doing that.”

Sky Sports Commercial Director Richard Verow said: “We’re looking forward to working with BADMINTON England in this innovative new format.

“Sky Sports is pleased to be a partner in this move, helping to create more fans of badminton and bringing the best of the action to Sky Sports viewers.”

The Whistle, discount the first cross-platform content provider solely focused on developing entertaining, educational and participatory sports programming tailored to kids have announced a partnership with the PGA TOUR, the world’s premier professional golf tour.

As part of the agreement, the PGA Tour will become a stakeholder of the Whistle. Also programming developed by The Whistle and the PGA TOUR will be co-distributed across The Whistle’s various media platforms, as well as PGA TOUR-owned media platforms. 

“Since the creation of The Whistle, we have partnered with some of the premier sports leagues and organizations in the country,” said Jeff Urban, The Whistle co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer.  “The PGA TOUR is the premier golf organization in the world and has many of the same goals for today’s youth as we do.  We’re extremely proud that an organization like the PGA TOUR sees our value. By partnering with the PGA TOUR, together we’ll be able to work toward achieving a positive impact on kids while exposing them to all the great values and attitudes inherent in the game of golf.”

“The PGA TOUR is looking forward to working closely with The Whistle to present exciting golf-related video content to young viewers across a variety of platforms,” said Paul Johnson, PGA TOUR Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, Digital Media and Entertainment. “We’re very interested in expanding our reach to young people, and The Whistle provides us with a wonderful opportunity to do so in an effective and meaningful way.  We plan to leverage our resources, including the world-class production capabilities of PGA TOUR Entertainment, to build this partnership and reach new audiences.”

The PGA TOUR joins The Whistle’s ever growing list of league and sports organization partners including the NFL, the United States Olympic Committee, the Harlem Globetrotters, the US Soccer Federation and IndyCar.

Ford Performance Racing has completed a change of ownership with Rod Nash and “Rusty” French taking over the team from Prodrive. 

“Rusty and I are pleased we’ve been able to acquire a business as strong as FPR which is not only an icon of Australian sport, but one of this country’s leading specialist engineering firms,” said Nash.

Tim Edwards is going to remain Team Manager and the Australian is confident that the change of ownership will strengthen the team.

“We welcome Rod and Rusty with open arms as they are two men very committed to ensuring our team continues to be successful. They are not only extremely passionate about racing but both are very successful businessmen in their own right so I look forward to the fresh approach they can provide us across all facets of the team,” said Edwards.

While changing owners, Prodrive will still remain a strong technical and strategical partner.

“We are delighted to pass our ownership of Ford Performance Racing to Rod Nash and Rusty French. Rod has been a tremendous partner to the team over many years,” said Prodrive chairman and chief executive, David Richards.

“Last season was the most successful in the 10 year history of FPR and we are pleased to be handing it over in such good competitive and commercial health, reinforced at the end of last year by the announcement of a major new partnership with Pepsi.

“Over the last decade, I have really enjoyed being part of the Australian V8 scene and developing FPR to the competitive status it enjoys today. The races are always close and the passion the Australian fans have for the FPR team and the series itself is something I have rarely seen in any other form of motorsport.

“FPR continues to be part of the Prodrive family and we retain our close technical and commercial relationship going forwards and I will personally continue to follow the team’s progress with great interest.

“I would like to pass on Prodrive’s appreciation and thanks to the FPR team members, Ford Australia, all of FPR’s current and past commercial partners and, of course, to the FPR fans, who make V8 Supercars one of the finest racing series in the world.”

Jean Todt, the FIA President has warned that F1 “will be unsustainable if costs are not cut” by 30% over the next three years, according to the Press Association.

Todt said: “Formula One is too expensive. It’s up to the teams to work with our people and the commercial rights holder [F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone]. We need to agree what to do, otherwise it will be unsustainable.”

Todt believes that if costs are not cut, then it could “sound the death knell for the smaller teams,” particularly with new engine regulations due to come into force from 2014.

Todt added: “We must reduce the costs in order to keep everybody on board. I prefer to present it like that.”

The Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), cough and top Euroleague Basketball teams Alba Berlin from Germany, EA7 Emporio Armani from Italy, and Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul from Turkey will play a series of preseason games this October as part of NBA Europe Live 2012 presented by BBVA, the NBA, Euroleague Basketball, and BBVA.

The four-game tour tips off on Oct. 5 when the 17-time NBA Champion Boston Celtics play five-time Turkish Champions Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul at the newly opened, state-of-the-art Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. The highly successful O2 World in Berlin, Germany, will be the venue for the homecoming of German national Dirk Nowitzki as the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks take on eight-time German Champions Alba Berlin on Oct. 6. Next stop is Milan, Italy, where 25-time Italian Champions EA7 Emporio Armani will match up against the Celtics at the Mediolanum Forum on Oct.7. The Mavericks will play an additional game in Spain with details to be announced in the near future. 

“Returning to Europe with two storied NBA franchises for the sixth installment of the NBA Europe Live presented by BBVA is a testament to our commitment to bringing more live games and events to our fans in Europe,” said Benjamin Morel, Senior Vice President, NBA Europe. “As part of our longstanding collaboration with Euroleague Basketball and with the support of BBVA and all of our partners, fans can look forward to an exciting blend of basketball action, interactive fan events and community-based initiatives as the sport of basketball thrives across the continent.” 

“Since 2006 both of the leading basketball competitions, Euroleague Basketball and the NBA, have been coming together to offer fans spectacular basketball and this year is no exception,” said Roser Queralto, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief Business Development Officer. “Some of the best and historic teams from the NBA will face off with some of the strongest Euroleague and European teams for some exciting preseason games to warm up for the next season.” 

As part of a multiyear partnership, BBVA – the official bank of the NBA – will serve as the presenting partner of NBA Europe Live for the first time, with Turkish Bank Garanti, which is part owned by BBVA, to be the presenting partner of the game in Istanbul. adidas will return as a Pan-European partner, a position it has held for all six editions of the tour. AmEx will also return as a partner providing premium ticket access to Cardmembers across the Tour. 

“BBVA is happy to be bringing the excitement of the NBA to fans in Germany, Italy and Spain – and through our partner bank Garanti Bank for the game in Turkey – as part of NBA Europe Live 2012 presented by BBVA,” said Mafe Laverde, Sponsorship Director, BBVA. “By serving as the presenting partner of NBA Europe Live, we will help bring world-class basketball to the cities of Berlin, Istanbul and Milan and through this series of games, reinforce our global sponsorship strategy. As the official bank of the NBA, we intend to provide extraordinary content to fans through our brand, promoting the values of effort, innovation and teamwork embodied by the two best basketball leagues in the world.” 

Following the NBA Europe Live Tour 2012, over 450,000 fans will have attended 32 Europe Live games in 12 cities since the inaugural NBA Europe Live series that took place in 2006. In total, 60 games featuring 25 NBA teams will have been played in 18 cities in Europe since 1988.

The president of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has rebutted questions of misconduct over the award of national TV rights to a new private broadcasting organisation run by the president’s sons. 

Criticism has been raging on the island about the deal, which will see Carlton Sports Network (CSN) air cricket played in Sri Lanka by the national team over the next three years for a fee of SLR 125 million (about US$1 million). 

BBC Sinhala, however, has reportedly been told by SLC’s president Upali Dharmadasa, that the contract award followed a ‘proper tender procedure’ which saw CSN come forward as the only bidder following a newspaper advertisement. 

“Nothing illegal or unlawful has taken place,” Dharmadasa told the BBC. He said the deal was free from political interference adding: “Are we supposed to reject a company because it is an organisation owned by the president’s sons?” 

Since 1996, state owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) has held the rights to broadcast cricket within Sri Lanka. 

During the last Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Sri Lanka along with Bangladesh and India, SLRC earned advertising revenues of over SLR 556 million (about $4.3 million), after paying a reported SLR 143 million ($1.1 million) for the broadcasting rights. 

The SLRC told the BBC that the SLC’s recent tender for Sri Lankan cricket until 2016 was not seen in the newspaper, and so the corporation failed to make a bid. 

“Yes we will certainly lose a considerable income but I wouldn’t say we will end up in debt as a result,” Mohan Samaranayake, chairman, SLRC is quoted as saying by the BBC. 

“We will look into how our marketing and sports departments missed the newspaper advertisement and of course will continue bid for sports rights in future events,” he added.