FIBA Europe has announced it has received a record number of eight official bids from potential organisers of EuroBasket 2015.

Bids from Croatia, viagra  Finland, health  France, medic  Germany, Israel, Latvia, Poland and Turkey means this is the biggest number of formal applications to host a single EuroBasket event, since FIBA Europe became a FIBA zone in 2002.

In mid-June the newly elected Board of FIBA Europe had to relocate EuroBasket 2015 from Ukraine because of the unstable situation in the country and invited bids by its member federations to host the event instead.

16 countries had expressed an initial interest to bid for the event.

All interested federations had until 31 July to submit their bids to stage either one of the groups in the Group Phase of the tournament, one of the groups and the finals, only the Final Phase or the entire tournament.

A FIBA Europe evaluation commission is expected to visit the venues proposed in the bids in the next weeks.

EuroBasket 2015 is scheduled to take place between 5-20 September 2015.

National Football League (NFL) franchise Tennessee Titans has selected Extreme Networks to outfit Nashville’s LP Field with its IdentiFi high performance Wi-Fi technology. 

The relationship follows a comprehensive evaluation of leading wireless LAN technology by the Titans. Extreme Networks was recently named the Official Wi-Fi Analytics Provider of the NFL.

Extreme Networks and PCM will install its high-density IdentiFi Wireless solution to provide Wi-Fi access that is made available for free to all fans and across LP Field, including the seating areas, club level, suites, press box, locker rooms and concourse.

Extreme’s Wi-Fi analytics technology provides the Titans with unprecedented near real-time visibility into what fans expect from their in-stadium experience.

Don MacLachlan, Executive Vice President of Administration and Facilities, Tennessee Titans, said: “Our fans are our number one priority, so being able to provide an enhanced experience for them is a tremendous opportunity. The partnership with Extreme will not only positively change the in-game atmosphere but will also allow us to garner deeper insights into how fans interact with their devices while they are in the stadium. Extreme’s Wi-Fi and analytics solution is unparalleled and we are confident we will receive encouraging feedback.”

Norman Rice, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, Extreme Networks, added: “Today’s sports fan wants to share their experiences at games in real-time and they expect a high level of connectivity that provides them the comfort and convenience to do so.

“Extreme is committed to driving the Experience Economy by providing a great user experience with simple, fast and smart technologies that empower organizations to deliver excellence. The Titans have the cutting-edge technology in place to offer a more connected experience for fans, and in turn, they will receive vital network insights into fan behavior and how to provide a more immersive experience for those attending LP Field.”

CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean is pushing to host the 2026 World Cup.

The body’s president Jeffrey Webb said it was only fair that the region should be awarded the 2026 World Cup after losing its place in the queue when the world’s governing body FIFA scrapped its rotational policy after selecting Brazil as the 2014 host.

The subsequent decision by FIFA to award the 2018 tournament to Russia then 2022 to Qatar meant that CONCACAF would have to wait at least 32 years between tournaments after the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup.

“From a CONCACAF perspective, our focus for the World Cup is 2026. We’re committed to that,” Webb told a select group of journalists at a meeting in midtown Manhattan on Tuesday.

“That’s not about the USA hosting the World Cup, for us it’s about a confederation standpoint.

“CONCACAF was obviously hard done (by) when (the) rotation stopped, we were the ones who lost out because it should have been our turn after Brazil. When the rotation stopped, obviously it impacted us the most.”

Although FIFA scrapped its rotation policy, it did introduce a new rule stipulating that countries could not host the World Cup if another nation from their confederations had staged either of the past two.

This rule means that Europe and Asia are already out of the running for 2026, leaving CONCACAF as the frontrunners to win the vote ahead of any possible bids from Africa, South America or Oceania.

The U.S., Canada and Mexico have all expressed interest in hosting the 2026 World Cup but Webb said it was paramount that the region threw its weight behind one bid, although he did not rule out the possibility of a co-hosting arrangement.

“Obviously we believe our best chances is to put one member forward, one country forward, one bid forward, that gives us our best opportunity,” he said.

“CONCACAF has 35 votes and of course if you split those votes amongst ourselves you’re defeating the purpose.”

The Special Olympics, the largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, has announced Y&R as the first-ever global Agency of Record for Special Olympics’ marketing efforts.

The account will be led out of Y&R’s New York office, working with the agency’s global network in markets where Special Olympics operates. A new global, integrated campaign, scheduled to launch early next year, will include TV, print, digital, social media, youth activation and leadership, fundraising efforts and large global events.

The non-profit movement has evolved and grown at a rapid pace, especially over the past 13 years. During this period, Special Olympics quadrupled the number of participating athletes to over 4.2 million representing 170 countries. In addition, Special Olympics has have added health, education and community building programming. One major pillar of this effort is a social inclusion program called Special Olympics Unified Sports, which unites people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same playing field as teammates.

Tim Shriver, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics said: “Y&R has already brought us an incredible idea big enough to work across all of our programs. It is a concept that is relevant to and will resonate in virtually all the 170 countries in which we operate. It is a galvanizing idea that we believe will accelerate and intensify the progress and impact of Special Olympics and create positive momentum that will continue well beyond our upcoming 2015 World Games. We are privileged to have Y&R help us take Special Olympics into a new era of making communities and societies everywhere more accepting and tolerant for all by focusing on people with intellectual disabilities.”

“Special Olympics brings out the best in everyone, and our team — all our employees, all around the world — feel the importance and the excitement of their mission. Their tremendous growth around the world reflects not only their passion and commitment to a better world, but their ability to change hearts, minds and behavior. We look forward to helping them achieve their objectives well into the future,” said David Sable, Global Chief Executive Officer of Y&R.

BMO Harris Bank and Y&R Midwest announced today that they’re launching a new marketing campaign featuring Chicago Blackhawks players, to celebrate their ongoing multi-year sponsorship of the team.

The new advertising includes two 30-second spots airing throughout the Chicagoland area. This is the second time BMO Harris Bank has featured Chicago Blackhawks players in its advertising, the first time being 2010, just before the Blackhawks went on their Stanley Cup run.

In the new spots, BMO Harris Bank partners with the Chicago Blackhawks to help find solutions for their customers. “Ice Bank” and “Defense” will launch at the end of the month. “Ice Bank” features Chicago Blackhawks Forward Patrick Sharp, helping new BMO Harris employees with their skating skills, including a cameo appearance by Rob Belushi, son of Chicago actor Jim Belushi. In “Defense,” the Blackhawks Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook share BMO Harris’ commitment to helping their customers by having a little friendly pushing and shoving over who gets to help a customer in line.

“This work recognizes our strong five-year partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks which has been an important part of our overall efforts to support leading Chicago-based organizations,” says Justine Fedak, Senior Vice President and Head of Brand, Advertising and Sponsorships for BMO Financial Group, North America. “BMO Harris and our revered Blackhawks, one of the ‘original six’ of the NHL, are both strong brands with strong Chicago roots that share a long history of supporting the Chicago community.”

“We are really proud of our new work for BMO Harris Bank,” said Bill Cimino, Chief Creative Officer and president of Y&R Chicago. “With the Blackhawks having such a great season and Chicago’s excitement over the team, it’s a great time to celebrate our partnership with the Blackhawks. And hopefully these new spots will also be a part of a Blackhawks championship season as it was in 2010.”

Event owner IMG have confirmed Perth International golf tournament in Western Australia, allergist will return to Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 17 to 20 October, 2013.

The Perth International forms part of the 2013 European Tour’s International schedule announced yesterday and will again be the only event in Australia to partner with the European Tour.

Senior Vice President and Co-Global Managing Director of IMG Golf, Robbie Henchman, said they were delighted to be staging the event at the club for a second time.

“Lake Karrinyup Country Club proved to be an outstanding venue for our inaugural event and we are delighted to return in 2013.

“We remain indebted to Tourism Western Australia for its invaluable support and look forward to building on the success of this year’s event and to welcoming more of the world’s best golfers to Perth next October.”

Tourism Western Australia worked closely with IMG to create a major annual international event for Perth and Chief Executive Stephanie Buckland said they were looking forward to building on the success of 2012.

“Tourism WA is delighted that Lake Karrinyup Country Club, WA’s premier golf course, has been confirmed as the host for the 2013 Perth International, and that the event has retained the same date on the European Tour schedule for next year.

“The inaugural Perth International was an outstanding success by every measure and we look forward to working with IMG to build on that success in 2013 and beyond,” she said.

President of Lake Karrinyup Country Club, Chris Carey said they were proud to have the event return.

“The members of Lake Karrinyup Country Club were extremely pleased and proud to host the 2012 ISPS HANDA Perth International and look forward to once again working closely with the European and Australasian Tours, the Western Australian Government and IMG to produce an even more exciting and engaging event in 2013.”

Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia said they also looked forward to the 2013 event.

“Lake Karrinyup proved the perfect host for the inaugural Perth International, receiving wonderful reviews from both our Australian and international competitors. I’m sure I speak not only on behalf of the PGA Tour of Australasia but also our Tournament Members when I say we look forward to returning to Perth and Lake Karrinyup in 2013.”

The 2013 Perth International will again be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia and in addition to the outstanding support of Tourism WA will continue to have the support of premium brands including Volkswagen, Crown Perth, TAG Heuer and Schweppes.

The Perth International will carry prize money of US$2,000,000, making it currently the richest tournament in Australia.

The promoters of the brand new FIA Formula E series are reportedly considering India as a venue for a race in their inaugural series in 2014.

The series will involve cars powered by electric energy.

Governing body FIA President, cialis Jean Todt, capsule has signed a deal with a group of investors, health Formula E Holdings Ltd., to stage the Formula E series, which will feature 10 teams and 20 drivers. The series will use cars powered by electric energy.

Mumbai has been mooted as possible venue and JPSI, the owners of Buddh International Circuit, the venue of the F1 Indian Grand Prix, said that they are “open to the idea” of holding the race.

Brian Sims, F1 consultant, told iSportconnect: “Electric racing in India? Monaco has Casino Square……perhaps Formula E”s around the Magnicent Exotic Marigold Hotel? It might just work.”

Mark Gallagher, Managing director of CMS Motor Sport Consultancy, told iSportconnect: “If the FIA Formula E Championship visits venues such as the Buddh circuit in India, I think it will add credibility to the championship and show the extent of the ambition that the FIA and Formula E Holdings has for the series.  Although Formula One commenced racing in India only last year, the enormous success of that first Grand Prix showed what can be achieved in India.  It is a country which does not have the depth of motor sporting heritage that we take for granted here in Europe, but Indians love sport and they like technology.

“The relevance of Formula E to fast-developing nations is important.  It underlines the fact that motor racing has a roll to play at a time when electrically powered vehicles are becoming mainstream within the automotive industry. Going electric doing not necessarily mean compromising on performance, and Formula E can really help push that message in markets which recognise that millions more cars using internal combustion engines is not a viable transport solution.”

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Formula One Group, the motor racing franchise owned by private-equity firm CVC Capital Partners Ltd., has received the go-ahead from the Singapore Exchange for a $2.5 billion initial public offering (IPO) ahead of a listing next month, people familiar with the situation said Monday.

The IPO is set to be priced before the end of June after the company and its bankers meet with investors and fund managers to gauge demand for the IPO, the sources said, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Formula One would join British luxury jeweler Graff Diamonds in braving equity markets despite a slump in global stocks. Graff started taking orders on Monday from institutional investors for its up to $1 billion Hong Kong IPO.

IPOs had their worst start in about four years in the Asia-Pacific region with overall equity market activity down about a fifth from 2011 as investors fretted at buying new shares because of falling markets.

A source close to the Formula One deal said on May 12 the IPO could be delayed because of the ongoing market jitters.

Formula One could have its B+ long-term debt ratings lifted one notch after the IPO because of an expected improvement in its debt profile, Standard & Poor’s said in a May 15 report when it put the company on “positive” watch.

The decision “mainly reflects our view that after the IPO in the next two to three years, Formula One’s adjusted leverage is likely to lessen significantly and durably and that private equity sponsors will exit Formula One’s capital in the medium term,” S&P said in the report.

Formula One’s IPO approval by the Singapore exchange was reported earlier by Bloomberg.

Formula One, which holds 20 races around the world and has a more than 500 million television viewers, is controlled by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners CVC.UL, with a 63.4 percent stake.

CVC plans to reduce its stake as part of the IPO along with other shareholders in Formula One, the source added.

Formula One earlier this month unveiled a $1.8 billion refinancing package to help lay the groundwork for the IPO. 

Goldman Sachs (GS.N), Morgan Stanley (MS.N) and UBS (UBSN.VX) were hired to lead the IPO. Spain’s Banco Santander (SAN.MC), Singapore’s DBS Group (DBSM.SI) and Malaysia’s CIMB (CIMB.KL) will also act as joint bookrunners on the deal.