Tottenham & Orient to Discover Judge Verdict on Stadium Decision in Days

English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur and League One counterparts Leyton Orient will discover whether their challenge to West Ham’s approved bid to inherit London’s Olympic Stadium post 2012 in the coming days after a High Court judge spent this week considering the case.

Mr Justice Davis will rule on whether to grant permission for a judicial review of the Olympic Park Legacy Company’s (OPLC) decision to declare West Ham the preferred bidder for the arena after considering four separate applications from Tottenham and Orient.

The clubs are challenging the decision to select newly relegated West Ham, as well as the Government and London mayor Boris Johnson for endorsing that decision, and Newham Council’s decision to agree to lend a substantial loan to a joint venture with West Ham that will convert and run the stadium.

If successful, Tottenham and Orient will be granted a full trial at which their challenge will be heard, which is likely to be no earlier than October.


Vieira to Speak on Soccerex ‘Football Against Hunger’ Panel

The Soccerex European Forum have announced that they are to play host to Manchester City and former France international/World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, who will be speaking alongside La Liga President, Jose Luis Astiazaran and European Professional Leagues Association (EPFL) CEO, Emanuel Madeiros as part of a press conference on European soccer’s “Professional Football Against Hunger” project at the event on 30-31 March, Manchester.

The “Professional Football Against Hunger” project aims to use the sport’s worldwide appeal and power to engage massive audiences to inspire people to team up and help those in need.

The Association of European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL), the European Union – Humanitarian Aid (EU) and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will be holding a press conference on Wednesday 30th March to discuss their current soccer-related joint initiatives in the fight against hunger.

The Press Conference is part of a diverse agenda reflecting the latest issues in European Football including Financial Fair Play, sponsorship, commercial strategies, social media and fan interaction and International FA development.

Sony distances itself from crisis-hit Fifa

FIFA sponsor Sony has said the probe into the bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup “isn’t great” and appeared to distance itself from the football’s world governing body.

Although the company is a member of the FIFA Partners programme, ampoule Sony’s European head of soccer sponsorships, arthritis Toby Shaw, told delegates at the International Football Arena conference in Zurich this is not how they want to be seen.

“We don’t say we’re a partner of FIFA. We say we’re a partner of the World Cup,” Shaw was quoted as saying by news agency Bloomsberg.

The company’s sponsorship agreement with FIFA ends after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and Sony is still considering if it would like to renew it for 2018 and beyond.

“We concentrate on whether it’s right for our business going forward,” he added. “We are still evaluating the last World Cup.”

UEFA to Investigate Seven Top Soccer Clubs over FFP Breaches

European soccer’s governing body UEFA has revealed it has opened a formal investigation into Liverpool and six other European clubs over possible breaches of financial fair play. 

Monaco, Roma, Besiktas, Inter Milan, Krasnodar and Sporting Lisbon join Liverpool as top clubs under investigation.

The clubs have recently submitted their accounts to UEFA and are due to be asked to provide further information on their finances as the governing body dictates that losses must be restricted to £35.4million over a two-year window.

Liverpool reported losses of £49.8m for the 2012-13 season, and £40.5m for the 10-month period before that.

A statement from UEFA read: “The clubs disclosed a break-even deficit on the basis of their financial reporting periods ending in 2012 and 2013.

“These clubs will need to submit additional monitoring information during October and November upon the deadlines set by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, subsequent to which, an additional communication shall be made and conservatory measures may be imposed.”

Liverpool face no immediate sanction as they prepare to provide further details to UEFA throughout the next two months, though the provisional withholding of Champions League funds lingers as a potential next step.

The Reds are thought to be confident they will avoid such penalties by virtue of lucrative new commercial deals and writing off some previous losses. It is also understood the 2013-14 figures will show a profit when they are formally announced in the spring.

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain received heavy penalties last season for breaching FFP rules.

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Wu Seeks Third Term as AIBA President, David Gough Becomes BMA CEO

AIBA president Ching-Kuo Wu has revealed he will stand for a third term ashead of the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA).

The 68-year-old architect was first elected AIBA president in 2006 after taking over from Pakistani Anwar Chowdhry, who was ousted after allegations of corruption, and wants another term to continue his revolutionising of the sport.

“I have decided to run again for the AIBA presidency to serve another four years and to continue enhancing all the AIBA programs together with you for more great achievements in all areas,” he told AIBA members in a letter published by the body on Saturday. 

“I am greatly proud of what was achieved in the last four years together with you.”

The AIBA elections will take place at the organisation’s congress in Jeju, South Korea on Nov. 14. 

DavidGough_BMAAIBA Appoints David Gough as BMA CEO

AIBA also today appointed David Gough as Chief Executive Officer for its exclusive global marketing company, the Boxing Marketing Arm (BMA).

Mr Gough has significant experience in world-class sponsorship sales, sports marketing and commercial partnership having previously worked for IMG and Coca-Cola amongst others.

Wu, said: “I am delighted that David Gough is joining the BMA, and there is little doubt that his excellent international experience will provide us with significant support as we move into an exciting new era for boxing. 

“AIBA is the global governing body for the sport of boxing and David’s knowledge of international sports sponsorship and marketing will certainly boost the commercial success of our boxing competitions and initiatives.”

Mr Gough, whose appointment was reviewed and approved by the BMA board, said: “This is an important time for AIBA and the sport of boxing and I am thrilled to be joining at a time of such revolutionary change.

“Having worked for some of the world’s biggest brands and events, I am convinced that APB and World Series of Boxing (WSB) can establish themselves as top sports competitions on the international stage.”

Mr Gough has significant sports experience, having worked with Coca-Cola at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, three MLB and NBA All-Star Weekends and Disney events.

WADA Expand Digital Offerings with New Website

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expanded their digital offerings by launching a new website.

The new site, order which is launched after one year in the making, patient replaces WADA’s former platform which had been in place since 2009.

Designed to best reflect WADA’s global profile, patient the new website will encapsulate information ranging from WADA’s role and daily activities to resources, technical information, news, and questions and answers on the latest topics from the world of anti-doping. The site offers improved design, navigation and functionality, including the option for users to be notified when documents or resources are updated. Users will also be able to notice an improved homepage design and cleaner layout of page content.

“In the ever-evolving world of anti-doping, the availability of relevant and current information for stakeholders and those involved in sport and anti-doping is absolutely crucial,” said WADA Director General David Howman.

“As a central part of WADA’s communications strategy, this new website is the latest step in WADA’s efforts to communicate effectively with the anti-doping community. It is an easy-to-use platform that effectively encapsulates the large amount of information that we in the anti-doping community need to work with. I hope that all our stakeholders will see this site as another step forward in how WADA will collaborate with its partners during the important times that lie ahead.”

Preston Replaces Bangkok as Players Championship Grand Final Host

Preston’s Guild Hall have been announced as the new hosts of the Players Championship Grand Final despite the tournament originally been scheduled to take place in Bangkok.

The tournament was originally due to be staged in Bangkok, troche but has changed location due to political unrest in the Thai capital.

It will be the first time in nine years that the arena will host a major snooker tournament. The Guild Hall previously staged the UK Championship from 1978 to 1997 and the Grand Prix in 1998, unhealthy 1999 and 2001 to 2005.

The Players Championship Grand Final is the culmination of the European Tour and Asian Tour series which has run throughout the 2013/14 season. There have been eight events across Europe, and the fourth and final Asian event in China runs from March 4 to 8, after which the final line-up of 32 players for the tournament will be confirmed.  

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “We are delighted to bring a world class snooker tournament to Preston for the first time since 2005. The Guild Hall is a superb venue and we know that the Lancashire area is a hot-bed for snooker. This announcement is fantastic news for the fans in the area, who now have a chance to see the top stars competing for a major title. 

“Tickets will sell quickly so anyone who wants to experience the action live should get their seats booked immediately.” 

Councillor Peter Rankin, leader of Preston City Council, said: “It is great to welcome back the world’s best snooker players to Preston and back to the Guild Hall, a venue which has been synonymous with the sport over the years.

“There is a great appetite for snooker in the region and I am sure people will want to come out and see the top stars of the sport competing in the Guild Hall.”

Many of the world’s leading players will be at the £300,000 five-day world ranking event which runs from March 25 to 29.

Sports Agency SugarTime Launches New Office in New York

SugarTime, Inc., the parent company for SugarTime Sports Agency LLC and SugarTime Sports Management LLC, launches New York offices in October 2013. 

The Sports Agency is a full-service operation for NBA and FIBA athletes while the Sports Management firm advises and manages several clients in the NFL and other professional sports industries. SugarTime prides itself on providing clients with one-to-one attention, something Sugarman believes separates SugarTime from other sports industry-related agencies.

“This is the perfect time to expand our presence — when we have a groundswell beneath us to carry our momentum forward,” said David Sugarman, CEO, agent and founder. “After a year of developing our clientele and brand identity we have built a name for ourselves and need to step up to the next level. Establishing an office in New York will go a long way to making that happen.”

SugarTime, Inc. has been based in South Beach since its inception in 2010. Most recently, SugarTime received recognition from the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce as the Small Business of the Year.

During the development process, all business operations continue as usual. SugarTime Director of Player Recruitment, former NBA All-Star, Kenny Anderson remains in South Florida to continue servicing clients while the company’s New York offices are finalized.

“Returning to where my career started in New York at this time in my life is exciting,” said Sugarman. “When I was at the pinnacle of my career in the financial industry, I left New York to move ahead. Shortly thereafter I decided to create SugarTime, now I return nearly a decade later with the SugarTime brand that has made an impact within the sports industry.”

Justin Rose’s Brand Set to Rise following US Open Triumph

By Ismail Uddin

England’s first major winner for 17 years is set to raise Justin Rose’s marketability according to one sponsorship expert. 

Justin Rose picked up the US Open, winning by two shots, to become the first Englishman since Nick Faldo in 1996 to win one of Golf’s ‘majors’ and Nigel Currie, Director of brandRapport believes his stock will rise following the victory and he will hold all the cards when it comes to negotiations with new and current sponsors.

“Winning a major will potentially double his sponsorship/off course earnings,” he told iSportconnect. 

“He will have clauses in his sponsorship contracts that will trigger bonuses because he has now won a major.  His next round of sponsorship negotiations will see him in a much stronger position as a winner of a Major.” 

“It is particularly significant because he is the first Englishman to have won a major since Faldo in 1996.  We probably got used to success in the 80s and 90s but it has proved harder for the British players to win Majors in recent years.  This uniqueness will add significantly to his marketability.“ 

Rose also showed signs of how he could be attractive for sponsors following his victory by not letting his emotions overbearingly get to him and by acting in a professional manner during media interviews. 

Currie believes this is a good trait to have in an ambassador. 

He added: “He is very good with the media and potentially very attractive to sponsors. 

“Golf is one of the really big global sports so winning a Major promotes the player to a huge global audience.” 

Justin Rose is currently sponsored by Ashworth, Taylormade, British Airways, Zurich, Adidas, Golf at Goodwood, Jumeirah, EA Sports and 4Sports & Entertainment.

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AmBank Groups Renews Sponsorship of Malaysian Grassroots Golf Tournament

AmBank Group, find an Islamic banking company, has renewed its sponsorship of a major junior golfing tournament to be held in Malaysia.

The tournament will involve 90 golfers from Malaysia and 30 junior golfers from Thailand, Korea and India.

Players will compete for the Tan Sri Datuk Azman Hashim trophy, named after the AmBank Group Chairman.

AmBank Group corporate communications and marketing senior general manager, Syed Anuar Syed Ali said the grassroots development of golf would be influential in developing and elevating sports to a higher level in the country.{jcomments on}