The Georgia World Congress Center Authority Board of Governors voted unanimously to validate the contract for 360 Architecture to be the lead architect for the Atlanta Falcons’ new $1 billion stadium.

The maximum price for the firm’s design is capped at $35 million. Conceptual design approval is scheduled for early June, stomach with design approval in late October and design development approval in April 2014.

“Selecting a lead architect is a very significant decision in the new stadium process, unhealthy ” said Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay, in a statement. “360’s creativity and qualifications made them the best fit for this project, and we believe they will put us in the best position to deliver the ultimate game day experience for our fans, as well as serving at the highest level the needs of current Georgia Dome events and other new events in the future.”

360 Architecture designed the most recent NFL stadium — Met Life Stadium in New Jersey, home of the New York Jets and Giants.

For the Kansas City, Mo. firm, the Falcons project is an opportunity to “re-imagine the entire game day experience” and “create an icon for the city and state,” Bill Johnson, senior principal for 360 Architecture, told GWCCA at a meeting on Tuesday.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) has revealed they have been forced to change the host city for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2013 in Chile from Antofagasta to Temuco.

The Rugby-loving city of Temuco will now replace Antofagasta after the city confirmed to the IRB this week that it was no longer in a position to host the key developmental event that brings together the finest players at Under 20 level from eight nations.

Tournament organiser La Federación de Rugby de Chile (FERUCHI) and the IRB are confident that Temuco will deliver a spectacular and hugely successful event that will further the development of Rugby in the country.

The match days of the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy will be May 28, June 1, 5 and 9, while fixtures also remain unchanged for a tournament that features hosts Chile, Canada, Japan, Italy, Namibia, Portugal, Tonga and Uruguay.

IRB Tournament Director Santiago Ramallo said: “It is disappointing that we have been forced to switch venues owing to factors outside of our control. However, we have secured a great venue and superb facilities for the teams in a city and region that is passionate about Rugby.”

“On behalf of the IRB I would like to extend my gratitude to the Temuco authorities and FERUCHI for their desire and commitment to delivering an outstanding event. I’d also like to thank the Rugby community in Antofagasta for their tireless work up to this point.”

“With 28 days to go until kick-off planning and preparation remains on track and I am sure that the people of Temuco will embrace what is set to be a compelling and highly-competitive event.”

Antofagasta was originally selected to host the prestigious event following a rigorous selection process and the event hosting came with the full backing of the city authorities.

However, the city confirmed to the IRB that it would pull out of hosting the Trophy following a decision by city officials.

The RBC Canadian Open is headed back to Royal Montreal Golf Club in 2014.

Renowned as the oldest golf club in North America and the site of the inaugural Canadian Open in 1904, ailment Royal Montreal will play host to Canada’s National Open Championship for a 10 time.

Royal Montreal last staged the Canadian Open back in 2001, which was won by Scott Verplank. The Club previously hosted the Championship in 1904, 1908, 1913, 1926, 1950, 1975, 1980 and 1997.

“Royal Montreal shares a long and storied history with both Golf Canada and Canada’s National Open Championship dating back more than a century,” said Golf Canada Executive Director and CEO Scott Simmons. “We are thrilled to add to that special legacy again in 2014.”

One of the five founding clubs of the Royal Canadian Golf Association (now operating as Golf Canada), The Royal Montreal Golf Club most recently hosted The Presidents Cup in 2007.

“To play an important role in Canadian golf is a part of the Club’s Mission Statement.  This will be another opportunity for spectators to watch some exciting golf on our challenging Blue Course.  With the anticipated support of the Quebec golf and business communities, we are looking forward to making this a very successful and memorable event,” stated Royal Montreal President George Waters.

 

Austin Grand Prix officials are adamant they have followed the proper process in pushing on with their race at the Circuit of the Americas, despite fresh doubts about the venue’s eligibility for Texas state funding.

A ruling by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott at the end of last week failed to resolve the issue of whether or not Austin was eligible for £30 million (USD) worth of revenue from a Major Events Trust Fund – which was set-up to help finance national and international sporting events taking place in the state.

Abbott suggested that because there had not been a local application for the funding, then Austin should not receive the money – which had been expected to be released after this year’s event that takes place on November 18.

Abbot said: “Unless an application for an event as defined in the statute is submitted to a site selection organisation, that event is ineligible for METF funding.”

There is a dispute, however, over whether or not Austin did apply locally to Formula One Management rather than simply being selected to host a grand prix – and this will be key to the issuing of funding.

In a statement issued by the Circuit of the Americas, circuit president Steve Sexton said: “We have worked with the local organizing committee in following the process to secure and host this international event.

“This event will pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the Texas economy while creating thousands of new full and part-time jobs and will have a positive impact on our community.

“We look forward to the first Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin this November, and to working with state, county and city officials to create another key economic driver for Central Texas.”

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has today announced a profit after interest of £211, medic 893 for the year ending 30th September 2011.

Chief Executive, therapy David Leatherdale commented, “having gained promotion to the 1st division of the LV= County Championship in 2011, retaining this status for 2012 was a key target and to have managed this with a young and developing squad is a major achievement.”

“The support from members and spectators continues to be strong which has seen a growth in revenue from both membership and ticket sales, as well as an increase in physical numbers attending matches, and is no doubt a reflection on the loyal and growing support the Club has.”

“The recent announcement with regards the potential new hotel and additional conference facilities for the Club, combined with the already successful Graeme Hick Pavilion, will continue to develop the Club as a 365 day a year sporting and conference venue, which in these uncertain economic times, is key to our sustainability as one of only 18 First Class County Clubs.”

“It is encouraging to see in excess of 150 new members have already joined for the 2012 season, which gets underway on the 5th April against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and at New Road against the same opponents on the 26th April.”

“I am sure 2012 will be another challenging year but we hope to continue the progress made during 2011, both on and off the pitch, and look forward to another exciting summer ahead.”

The National Basketball Association (NBA) owners and its players’ union will continue talks in New York today after 12 hours of discussions yesterday bore no fruit for a new collective bargaining agreement.

NBA Commissioner David Stern’s Wednesday deadline came and went with no deal on the table but the two sides have decided to pick up where they left off with discussions.

“Nothing was worked out,” Stern told reporters after leaving the Manhattan hotel where talks are taking place. “Right now, we’re not failing and we’re not succeeding.”

The union has rejected a proposal from team owners that offered them 49 percent to 51 percent of basketball-related income. The sides have yet to agree on how to divide revenue, although the union is willing to move closer to a 50:50 split.

Players, who got 57 percent under the contract that expired July 1, are willing to compromise on their demand for 52 percent of basketball-related income in return for concessions on rules governing player movement and salary, union Executive Director Billy Hunter said last night.

“There was enough give and take that warranted our coming back,” Hunter said early this morning after the latest meetings ended, about 11 hours before negotiations are set to resume.

The sides are at a crossroads over how to divide about $4.3 billion of league revenue. Stern has said the 30 teams collectively lost $300 million last season. With each percentage point worth about $40 million, the players would be giving up $280 million a year by dropping to a 50 percent share, the New York Times reported.

Stern told NBA TV yesterday that the season can’t start until 30 days after an agreement is reached. The league has canceled the first month of the regular season, which was scheduled to start Nov. 1.

---

Related Discussion>>

Suspension of talks between the National Football League (NFL) and its players on a new labor accord have been put in place for almost a month while they await a federal judge’s ruling on a request to end the lockout.

Players’ and owners’ representatives met four times over the past two weeks in Minneapolis with the mediator, apoplectic Chief Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan.

James Quinn, outside counsel for the players, said as he left yesterday’s, April 20, meeting: “We’re going to be back here on May 16 to continue the mediation. Everybody believes that it was helpful.”

Executive vice president and general counsel for the league, Jeff Pash, said Boylan’s contributions are moving the sides toward a conclusion, stating on NFL.com: “This was a valuable process. I don’t think a single minute of it was wasted time. We’ll be back here ready to make a deal; that’s the only way we’re going to solve this problem.”

Before the players and owners meet again, U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson is expected to rule on the players’ lawsuit to end the lockout after quarterbacks Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees led a group of 10 NFL players who sued the league on March 11 after negotiations on a new labor contract ended without agreement.

The players moved to decertify their union and owners declared a lockout. Players claim the league’s policies violate U.S. antitrust laws.

Lawyers for two of the Pakistan cricketers banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last month after being found guilty of corruption, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir, have filed appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the sanctions placed against them in the spot-fixing scandal.

Butt was banned for ten years – five of them suspended, while Amir was banned for five. Mohammad Asif, banned for seven years, two of which are suspended, is yet to appeal against the tribunal’s decision despite denying any wrongdoing in last summer’s Test Match versus England..

The players were all banned after UK newspaper – the News of the World reported no balls were bowled at specific points in England’s innings after a payment was made to a businessman.

Former captain Butt said in a statement: “This is to confirm that today my legal team served a statement of appeal.”

Amir’s lawyer Shahid Karim said he filed his client’s appeal on Friday, stating: “The process is now to set to motion, we have challenged the judgment of the tribunal on various grounds.”

In a separate development, the players are due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 17 March to face charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat.

Rick Kenney, buy Vice President of JudoScotland, shop was re-elected as Executive President of the Commonwealth Judo Association at the recent CJA Congress held in Glasgow.

Rick was a member of the CJA Executive from 1990 and was elected as Senior Vice President in 1998. He attended Commonwealth Judo Championships in this position all over the world, advice including Mauritius; Malta; Canada: Singapore and New Zealand. He was Chairman of the Organising Committees when Commonwealth Championships were held in Scotland in 1998 and 1986.

He was previously Chairman of JudoScotland for seven years and Vice Chair of the British Judo Association for 5 years along with serving 2 terms as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland.

The role of CJA Executive President is a demanding one with some 71 Commonwealth countries having involvement in the sport of judo at all levels from recreational to international representation. The CJA is now involved in discussions with the International Judo Federation to progress mutual opportunities to further develop judo across the Commonwealth.

Judo was a demonstration sport in Edinburgh at the 1986 Games, when Rick was also the team coach, and due to its success, the sport was then included in the following Games in Auckland, New Zealand in 1990. Judo had to wait until the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 before the sport re-appeared on the Games programme, with Graham Randall winning a gold medal for Scotland.

Rick said, “I look forward to developing judo across the Commonwealth over the next few years and am sure that the success of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games will continue to showcase our sport across the world. Scotland has a long tradition in judo at Commonwealth level stretching back to 1986 and I see a bright future for judo.”