Jacksonville Jaguars EverBank Field to Undergo Major Upgrade

The National Football League’s (NFL) Jacksonville Jaguars today announced the team has agreed to terms with the City of Jacksonville to undertake approximately $63 million in major enhancements to EverBank Field, including two new end zone video scoreboards that will be the largest of their kind in the world.

The plan also calls for a major renovation of the north end zone to introduce a world-class entertainment and viewing area for fans that will position EverBank Field as a destination on NFL game days and help attract and keep premier events in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars first unveiled the goal of new scoreboards and EverBank Field renovations during a state of the franchise address on Feb. 5.  The team has since worked closely with Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown and the Jacksonville City Council to explore and agree on funding sources and models.

“Our determination to see this concept brought to reality was matched by Mayor Brown, and his impressive work on this project is why we’re able to move so quickly,” said Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  “This is what can happen when two parties are committed to a common goal.

“We support Mayor Brown’s initiatives to bring new energy to Downtown Jacksonville and the city’s urban core, and the enhancements to EverBank Field that we are announcing today will help position Jacksonville as a home and destination for major events, now and in the future.  This is indeed great news for Jacksonville.”

“This is about vision,” Mayor Brown said.  “We’re seeing a great example of Shad Khan’s leadership and the Jaguars’ dedication to creating the best, second-to-none fan experience right here in Jacksonville.

“Enhancing our stadium is a positive step toward the strategic goal of Downtown revitalization, as well, and it’s an opportunity to play to our strengths as a destination for sports and entertainment.   Beyond theJaguars games, we can expect the stadium enhancements to engage the thousands of fans who come to Jacksonville for the Florida-Georgia game, the Gator Bowl and other major events at EverBank Field.”

Construction of the platform will result in the removal of approximately 7,000 seats, though temporary seating can be installed for major events that will require a larger stadium capacity.

“Jaguars fans are going to fall in love with the new EverBank Field,” said team president Mark Lamping.  “We do not take for granted the emotional and financial investment of Jaguars fans.  In return, we’re doing everything we can to produce a winner on the field, but in the areas we control – like the in-stadium experience at EverBank Field – we owe our fans nothing less than the very best, and that’s what they can expect soon at EverBank Field.”

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IZOD Plans New Golf Promotions for 2013 Season

PVH Corp. brand IZOD has introduced a new golf promotion that includes a new ad campaign, cialis multi-year sponsorships of three “Team IZOD PGA TOUR golfers, impotent | and multiple sponsorship activations planned throughout the season.

Fans will see several manifestations of the platform in connection with this year’s first major tournament, the Masters, including sponsorship of the “MAXIM Clubhouse”; a robust IZOD social media presence; a launch party on April 10; a building wrap at Washington and Berckmans Roads; and advertising across TV, print and digital.

“We are thrilled to bring golfers the new world of IZOD Golf – with a new voice and new mindset,” said Mike Kelly, Executive Vice President of Marketing, PVH. “IZOD is putting a new take on an old American tradition as we look to reach our target consumers, who are the younger golf nuts. Fans will see a strong emphasis on social media at the forefront of all of our activations.”

IZOD’s sponsorship of the “MAXIM Clubhouse” in Augusta is a first for the brand. IZOD will transform the back patio of the clubhouse into the “IZOD Social Media Hub,” where there will be dedicated workstations for both media and brand partners, including PGA TOUR and SB Nation; Google + Hangouts will take place from the hub, as will fan giveaways; and live feeds of golf conversations on various social media networks will be streamed. IZOD will officially open its Social Media Hub with a kickoff party on the night of April 10.

In 2012, IZOD signed three PGA TOUR players—reigning U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson, two-time PGA Tour winner Scott Piercy and rising star Spencer Levin—to multi-year partnerships to form “Team IZOD.”

In March, IZOD debuted its “Living the Dream” commercial featuring Simpson as part of its comprehensive golf-inspired campaign, which includes on-air, print and digital advertisements that are running across NBC Sports, Golf Channel, Golf Digest, Golf Digest Stix and MAXIM. The commercial was filmed at Punta Espada Golf Club in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.

Additional activations for IZOD Golf over the course of the season will include sponsorship of the 125th Anniversary of Saint Andrew’s Golf Club, the oldest golf club in the United States, and the IZOD/Webb Simpson Junior Championship, an AJGA event.

Golf Care to Provide Insurance to Mytime Golf Courses

The UK’s largest specialist golf insurer, cialis cheap Golf Care, ed has recently signed a partnership with Mytime Golf, therapy managers of nineteen golf courses in the UK.

Golf Care insurance forms at each venue will ensure that all golfers will be covered for Public Liability and Third Party Property damage when they step on the course, what’s more this single-day insurance is provided to the golfer free of charge.

Mytime Active, the parent company of Mytime Golf, is a social enterprise and charity – every penny of surplus made goes back into the business to benefit the local community.

“Working with Mytime Golf is an important development for us. They do a fantastic job of promoting the game in local communities up-and-down the country and have made the sport more accessible, especially for complete beginners. The obvious concern is that many new golfers are unaware of the dangers that exist on a golf course,” commented John Woosey, Managing Director, Golf Care. “It is important for golfers to be educated as early as possible and Mytime Golf provides direct access to grass roots golfers. It’s good to see that Mytime Golf recognises the importance of their golfers being properly insured whilst out on the course and have approached Golf Care to provide that specialist cover.”

Both companies share the ethos of providing value for money. Mytime offers competitively priced pay-and-play golf and golf memberships, including concessions for those on low incomes. 

“Mytime Golf is a forward-thinking company that cares about the well-being of our consumers. Golf insurance is now something that every golfer should seriously consider. As market-leaders Golf Care were the obvious choice for us,” commented Brad Chard, Golf Division Manager of Mytime Golf. “Providing the free day-insurance for our customers was an easy decision. Golf Care’s insurance cover provides excellent added value and gives peace mind to our golfers should an incident occur on the course.”

The agreement with Mytime Golf is the latest in a long-list of strategic partnerships for Golf Care, a list that includes De Vere, Marriott, Q-Hotels and Macdonald Hotels, as well as Ryder Cup host venue, The Celtic Manor Resort.

MotoGP’s Japanese Grand Prix Contract Extended Until 2018

Dorna Sports, order commercial rights holder of the MotoGP World Champioship, allergy and Mobilityland Corporation, hosts and organizers of the Japanese Grand Prix, have agreed an extension on the promotion contract from 2014 to 2018.

Twin Ring Motegi has been organizing the event for 14 consecutive years since 1999.

Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports, said: “It is our pleasure that the long-lasting presence of our Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi is now secured for another 5 years. Japan is where the prominent manufacturers of MotoGP such as Honda and Yamaha are based, and the Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi is one of the most important events in the Championship. We are committed to work closely with Twin Ring Motegi as MotoGP faces the time of innovative changes.”.

Hiroshi Soda, President Mobilityland Corp, added: “We are pleased with the opportunity to continue organizing MotoGP, unquestionably the highest category of motorcycle sports. The approach to send out the message put out by the power of Japan in the world of motorcycles is highly significant. The economic climate we are under today is never too favourable. Nevertheless, we are aspired to play our part to contribute to the powerful evolvement of motorcycle sport culture. We are grateful for the understanding of the importance of holding the MotoGP in Japan and for the strong support to procure the renewal of the contract that Dorna has given to us.”

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Formula One Races in Spain to Alternate says Ecclestone

Formula One races in Spain have been downgraded after it was revealed grand prixs in Barcelona and Valencia will alternate from next year, according to F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.

“The (Spanish) race will be here in 2013 and 2014 in Valencia,” the Briton told Reuters at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya ahead of Sunday’s first European race of the year.

The 81-year-old also expected Canada’s Montreal race to agree a 10-year contract renewal from 2014 despite demands that the circuit be upgraded.

The world economic crisis has hit Spain hard, where local administrations are under pressure to make deep budget cuts as part of a central government austerity drive.

The eastern city of Valencia, on the brink of being bailed out by the central government due to debt problems, currently hosts the European Grand Prix in June while Barcelona has the Spanish Grand Prix.

Spain, home of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, is the only country with two races a year. Germany’s two, at Hockenheim and Nurburgring, already alternate.

A New Jersey race scheduled for 2013 will give the United States two rounds after the debut of a new circuit in Austin, Texas, this year.

France, which lasted hosted a race in 2008, is hoping for its race to be reinstated on the calendar next year at the southern Le Castellet circuit.

Although financial terms have been agreed, the change of French president with Socialist Francois Hollande beating conservative Nicolas Sarkozy in this month’s election, has cast doubt on any deal going ahead.

The previous French Grand Prix circuit at Magny-Cours was in an area of rural France where jobs are scarce, leading to speculation that would again become the favoured venue for economic reasons.

Ecclestone’s family trust owns Le Castellet and the 81-year-old has been firmly opposed to any return to Magny-Cours, a track with little appeal for sponsors and VIPs.

Ecclestone told Reuters nothing had been signed and another senior Formula One source said the chances of a deal appeared to have receded.

“I have no idea. No idea what they are doing. It’s a funny arrangement they were making anyway. So I just don’t know,” Ecclestone said when asked whether the French political shift made any difference.

Ecclestone also said he had asked the Canadian Grand Prix organisers to upgrade the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve as a condition for any contract extension.

“They are going to try and rebuild,” he said. “It needs a bit of an upgrade I think. They know what we want to do.”

He said the talks were for a 10-year renewal of a contract that expires in 2014 and was confident that would happen despite previous hiccups that saw the hugely popular race taken off the calendar in 2009.

NFL Commissioner on Verge of Adding Second Regular-Season Game in London

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is considering adding a second regular-season game in London and says the move will be discussed at the owners meetings this week.

“It’s been tremendously successful,” Goodell said before the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. “Fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, and we want to build on that.”

The commissioner said the league was happy with the game it played in Mexico City in 2005 — the first regular-season game outside the United States — but noted the NFL is focusing on adding a regular-season game in England.

The league played its first regular-season game in London in 2007 when the New York Giants defeated the Miami Dolphins 13-10. Since then, there have been three other annual games played at Wembley Stadium, and on Oct. 23 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take on the Chicago Bears in the English capital.

Goodell said that game is still not sold out, but attributed it to tickets not going on sale until after the lockout ended.

CSA Allow External Exam. of Finances, Reinstate President

Mtutuzeli Nyoka has been reinstated as president of Cricket South Africa (CSA) while the body agreed to allow external auditors to examine its finances after allegations emerged that R68m (US$10m) earmarked for the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) had gone missing from its accounts.

In response to reports of financial irregularities the CSA revealed it had decided “to institute an external investigation including a forensic audit” at a meeting of its board in Johannesburg. Allegations have also emerged that improper bonuses were paid to CSA executives.

The CSA also confirmed yesterday, May 4, that it had reinstated Nyoka, who was removed as president after making the original allegations, only for the South Gauteng High Court to rule last month that his sacking was illegal.

Nyoka alleged in court papers that funds went missing from CSA’s accounts following the 2009 IPL, staged in South Africa after terrorist attacks in Mumbai forced the Twenty20 competition to be shifted from India. CSA has denied any wrongdoing and insisted the money did not appear in its regular accounts because it belonged to IPL organisers.

A CSA statement read: “The board has agreed, in the interests of cricket, to abide the judgment handed down. Accordingly, Dr Nyoka has been reinstated as president and chairman of the board of directors with immediate effect. The meeting unanimously agreed to abandon any appeal process in relation to the judgment.”

Nyoka had long called for an external audit into the national cricket body’s accounts, questioning the bonuses reportedly paid to chief executive Gerald Majola and other CSA staff, and told the Associated Press: “It is a great outcome for all concerned, especially cricket. It (an external audit) is something I have been consistent about.”

FFA chairman confident of Australia 2022 World Cup bid

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy has said he is confident Australia will be successful in its bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

A FIFA delegation begins a three-day inspection of the country today, vialis 40mg where it will visit and evaluate stadiums, training facilities and hotels.

And Lowy is confident the delegation will like what it sees. He said: “I feel optimistic and I feel we have made a good case. There is sympathy for Australia. We are well known for staging world-class events and meet the best standards.

“We have been talking to the [FIFA] executive committee members, I expect come December the world will be in favour of Australia for 2022.”

Australia is competing with the United States, Qatar, South Korea and Japan to host the 2022 tournament.

Australia had originally intended to bid for the 2018 competition, but dropped out when it became clear FIFA wanted a European host.

Tim Leiweke to Step Down as Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment CEO

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) CEO Tim Leiweke has revealed he will step down from his position in 2015.

Leiweke has told the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment board he plans to continue in his role as CEO until June 30, 2015, or until a successor has been found.

“Under Tim’s leadership, MLSE has made a number of key moves to strengthen our organization on the path to championship success,” Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of MLSE, said in a statement Thursday morning.

“We look forward to working closely with Tim to build on this foundation and further accelerate our momentum as we seek a new leader for MLSE.”

The Toronto-based sports organization counts the NHL’s Maple Leafs, NBA’s Raptors, AHL’s Marlies and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer among its properties. 

“It’s an honour to lead MLSE, a world-class organization in a city and a country so passionate about sports,” Leiweke said. “But with new opportunities on the horizon, it’s time for me to begin the transition from sports and entertainment executive to entrepreneur. 

“Right now, my total focus is here at MLSE and I look forward to working with the Board and MLSE team to continue strengthening our franchises while ensuring a smooth transition to a new leader.”

The search for Leiweke’s successor is underway, MLSE said in the statement.

Germany’s Munich Bid for Euro 2020 Set to Be Dropped as 2024 Takes Focus

Germany’s FA chief are considering dropping their Munich bid to host the Euro 2020 semi finals and final paving the way for Wembley to host the historic event.

Germany wants to stage Euro 2024 and its football association (DFB) may now only bid for Munich to host group games at Euro 2020 so as not to harm its campaign for the tournament four years later. 

UEFA is holding Euro 2020 in 13 different countries to mark the 60th anniversary of the tournament and only Wembley and Munich’s Allianz Arena have put in bids to host the climax of the competition – the semi-finals and final – ahead of the vote on September 19. 

DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach (pictured) commented: “We still have the two options – to host the final rounds or four matches in the first rounds. 

“Our decision is open. We have an excellent and wonderful relationship with the England FA. We are sitting together very often and thinking about the possibilities of how we can support the other association. 

“It is still open but I am totally convinced that we will have both Wembley and Munich on the land map for Euro 2020. 

“Discussions on the final round are still open. But we are very relaxed about it.” 

Niersbach also confirmed that Germany would bid for Euro 2024 – when they will be up against Turkey – which would be the first major men’s football tournament the country has hosted since its hugely successful World Cup in 2006. 

“I officially announced already at our general assembly in October 2013 that we want to host Euro 2024,” he added.

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