The owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Comcast-Spectacor, has agreed to sell the National Basketball Association (NBA) team to a group led by Joshua Harris, the co-founder of Apollo Global Management LLC.

Financial terms have not been disclosed, but it is expected that Harris will pay about US$280m.

Hariis said in a statement: “As a basketball fan who attended college in Philadelphia, and with family roots here, I have always felt a strong connection to this city and the 76ers. We look forward to helping the 76ers organization build on this past season’s accomplishments.”

Harris co-founded Apollo Management in 1990. Shares in the company have dropped 14 percent to US$16.39 since they were offered to investors at US$19 each in March, valuing the private-equity firm at US$5.93 billion.

Comcast-Spectacor said a month ago that it was exploring a sale of the 76ers. The agreement does not include the Wells Fargo Center or the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers, which Comcast-Spectacor will retain.

The seller’s statement said that the 76ers “will remain a long-term tenant of the Wells Fargo Center and will have a long-term cable broadcast agreement for its games with Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.”

Comcast is the biggest U.S. cable television operator and bought a controlling interest in NBC Universal from General Electric in January.

India’s top investigating agency has arrested a top 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games official for alleged financial irregularities.

Treasurer M Jayachandran is accused of forgery and cheating over the awarding of Games contracts, a charge he denies.

He is the third Games official to be arrested over similar charges. All were suspended from their posts in August.

Earlier this month, Suresh Kalmadi, the Games organising committee chief, quit his post in the Congress party.

He has been under investigation over claims of corruption at October’s sporting spectacular, and also denies any wrongdoing.

In August, Mr Jayachandran’s predecessor, Anil Khanna, quit after claims an Australian firm won the contract to lay tennis courts for the Games because his son headed its Indian arm.

The NCR Corporation has agreed a partnership with the Adelaide Oval to deploy their NCR Venue Management solution at the ground as part of the iconic stadium’s major redevelopment project.

The new look Adelaide Oval, discount with a capacity of 53, order 500, order includes over 70 percent undercover seating and features a modernized landscape that provides significantly upgraded facilities to host major sporting events, concerts and more.

In a move to better engage fans at the stadium, the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority has partnered with NCR to provide a host of innovative venue management solutions to better serve the extensive food and beverage restaurants, corporate boxes and concession stands at the stadium that will reduce queues and allow fans to get their food and beverages quicker.

“Australian sports and music fans want their stadium experience to be enjoyable and hassle-free. NCR’s vast experience in venue management around the world made it easy for us to select them to help us deliver an unparalleled level of service and to make the fan experience at this world-class stadium exceptional,” said Adelaide Oval SMA CEO, Andrew Daniels.

“The adoption of modern NCR technology allows us to accurately report, analyze and forecast sales, helping us to reduce waste and control costs,” added Daniels.

“Adelaide Oval is an iconic landmark not only in Australia but around the world too, we are proud to be part of this transformational story as the stadium unfolds into a new era,” said Nick Wagnitz, NCR general manager – Hospitality & Stadiums / Arenas. “Fans and patrons can look forward to seeing more of any game or event at the Adelaide Oval as it delivers a world class stadium experience.”

As part of the agreement NCR will also deploy NCR Vital – a smartphone application that provides real-time business information on critical assets including sales, inventory and allow venue operators to connect with their employees and actively manage social networking platforms.

Special Olympics have announced a new Global Ambassador, Elena Delle Donne.

The professional basketball player who plays for the Chicago Sky in the Women’s National Basketball Association is the latest Global Ambassador to join the Special Olympics. 

Donne will join a list of high profile and prestigious Global Ambassadors including Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco, Nadia Comaneci, Scott Hamilton, Padraig Harrington, Yuna Kim, Yang Lan, Yang Yang, Yao Ming, Ricardo Montaner, Dikembe Mutombo, Hannah Teter, Apolo Anton Ohno, Michael Phelps, Vanessa Williams and Zhang Ziyi. 

As Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics Done’s roles will include helping people with intellectual disabilities by helping promote awareness inclusion and acceptance. 

Donne will begin her new role as Global Ambassador with a special assembly at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. 

Done commented on receiving her recent position: “I’m so proud to serve as a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics given their mission is so important to me…My sister Lizzie has an intellectual disability and I’ve always loved working with Special Olympics and being able to get on the court and see young people with and without intellectual disabilities passing the ball and playing together.” 

Janet Froetscher, CEO of Special Olympics International congratulated the basketball player: “Elena Delle Donne is a great addition to our Special Olympics family.  Our goal is to raise awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities.  Through sports, we showcase the skills and dignity of our athletes.  Elena is a powerful force that will help us deliver this mission around the world.  Not only is she a highly skilled athlete, but her passion for our organization shines and I know she will help us reach many more athletes.”

Canadian entertainment company Cirque du Soleil has been announced as the feature act for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games opening ceremony in Toronto.

The Montreal-based company will perform a one-night-only original production, complete with stagecraft, acrobatic athleticism and colourful cultural pageantry.

“Cirque du Soleil has an unmatched international reputation for staging some of the most imaginative and mesmerizing shows ever performed,” said Ian Troop, CEO of TO2015.

Cirque’s act will also showcase Ontario artists and volunteers, who organizers said will be recruited from local schools and community organizations.

“Cirque du Soleil is proud and deeply honoured to join TO2015 as a sponsor and Official Creative Partner for the Opening Ceremony of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games,” said Yasmine Khalil, director of Cirque du Soleil’s events and special projects division. “We are excited to create an original production for this special occasion.”

Organizers said Cirque “personifies many of the values of the Games” with its employees representing 50 nationalities, and able to speak 25 different languages.

The Pan Am Games opening ceremonies in July 2015 will be broadcast to hundreds of millions of homes across the Americas and Caribbean.

The Pan Am Games run from July 10 to 26, 2015. The Parapan Am Games are slated for Aug. 7-14.

Bath Rugby owner Bruce Craig has suggested that the club’s new redeveloped stadium will be “world-class” and “well worth waiting for” and could open by 2015.

The club is confident it can overcome the complex legal hurdles of upgrading its cramped and outdated 18, viagra 000 capacity ground at The Rec in the centre of the historic city.

Owner Bruce Craig told the Bath Chronicle: “The current rugby ground, anabolics especially the West Stand by the river, herbal does not do justice to the city or the rugby club and we are really keen to improve it for everyone. We want to provide a world-class facility and buildings that the city and club can be proud of, are appropriate and add to the beauty and splendour of Bath.

“It is a tough challenge but it is critical that we get it right,” he added. “What we do needs to complement this unique and historic setting, and is for everyone in Bath, both now and for future generations.”

Bath Rugby are proposing a lease swap deal that will see the club’s one-time training ground at Lambridge come under public ownership in return for a larger slice of The Rec so their stadium plans can be realised. However due to the unique charitable status of The Rec, the Charity Commission will need to make a ruling on the offer in April.