Pitch International and MP & Silva today announced a partnership to develop and manage joint projects across Asia. 

Based in Singapore, allergy | the partnership will utilise the collective strengths of the two leading sports media rights agencies to develop selected projects, including the acquisition and distribution of rights, production services and events management. Properties such as Brazil Global Tour, Six Nations Rugby, Ascot and Racing UK, Capital One Cup and nPower Championship were selected to kick-start the partnership.  A number of new projects focused on Asia are currently under negotiation and will shortly be announced by both agencies as part of this partnership.

Together, Pitch International and MP & Silva distribute over 15,000 hours of programming to over 200 broadcasters across the globe. 

MP & Silva Chief Executive, Andrea Radrizzani, said: “It is a natural evolution of our business in Asia to work with Pitch.  Our businesses are complementary and together we have the scale to ensure we can continue to exploit bigger events and rights in the territory.  Our companies are both innovative and dynamic and we look forward to working with federations and broadcasters on some exciting projects over the next few years.”

Pitch International Managing Director, Jonathan Rogers, said: “We are delighted to be working more closely with MP & Silva.  They are a great partner with an excellent track record in Asia.  Our two organisations know each other well and there are strong synergies and enhanced opportunities from working together in the Asian market.  We believe our collective strength in the market should increase the range of rights, events and services we can offer.”

AEG Facilities was named operator of 2014 FIFA World Cup venue Arena da Baixada, Clube Atlético Paranaense announced at a press conference in Brazil.

The 46,000-seat multi-purpose stadium located in Brazil’s south region in Curitiba is home to Clube Atlético Paranaense of the Brazilian Football League.

“AEG Facilities is an outstanding partner for Atlético Paranaense. Their management and event programming expertise will provide Arena da Baixada and the city of Curitiba a diverse lineup of sports, musical and cultural entertainment that will bring years of success to our multi-functional complex and community,” said Mario Celso Petraglia, Presidente do Clube Atlético Paranaense.

Under the new partnership, AEG Facilities will operate the multi-purpose, retractable-roof stadium that is currently under renovation and will be completed in June 2013. In addition to the soccer stadium, AEG Facilities will operate Arena Olympico, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose indoor companion arena that will open in 2015.

“We are thrilled and honored to support Atlético Paranaense’s rich and long standing tradition of success, both in Brazil and internationally,” said AEG Facilities President Bob Newman. “Curitiba is one of South America’s most dynamic sports and entertainment markets, and we look forward to being a partner of the Curitiba community as they prepare for the 2014 World Cup.”

Arena da Baixada is one of twelve planned host venues that will be upgraded or constructed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, which will be the first World Cup in Brazil in 60 years, and the first staged in South America since the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina.

The Curitiba venue is the third Brazilian facility in the international sports, entertainment and venue organization’s worldwide portfolio. The Los Angeles-based company provides venue management and event programming support for the 45,000-seat Arena Pernambuco, also a 2014 World Cup venue, opening in April in Recife. In addition, AEG Facilities will operate São Paulo’s Nova Arena, opening in November 2013, and home to Palmeiras, one of Brazil’s most popular football clubs.

“Arena da Baixada and the accompanying indoor arena make up one of the most compelling venue projects in the world today and are truly multi-use venues,” said AEG Facilities Senior Vice President Chuck Steedman. “Not only is the arena a fantastic football venue, but with a retractable roof and 46,000 seats, it is a perfect venue any time of year for concerts, shows and other special events. The addition of the 10,000-seat indoor arena creates a tremendous venue package for the great market of Curitiba.”

The Australian Rugby League (ARL) Commission has secured funding for the 16 NRL clubs from the broadcast deal with Channel Nine.

ARLC officials successfully negotiated for Nine to make a $30 million funding payment – $8 million of which goes directly to the clubs as a television rights bonus. All clubs have or will be paid $500,000. The one-off payment was expected to come earlier but was confirmed yesterday after a week of negotiations between ARLC officials and the network, which yesterday avoided administration.

”From the moment we signed the heads of agreement with our broadcast partners we have been working towards providing this payment to the clubs,” ARLC interim chief executive Shane Mattiske.

”This is just the start of the benefits the new broadcast rights deal will provide to the game’s stakeholders over the term of the agreement … it is a significant step for the clubs.

O2 has announced an innovative partnership with Nike to launch a ‘Priority Sports’ loyalty scheme to give its customers exclusive access to the sportswear brand’s products and services.

The initiative, set to launch this week, will enable customers who have downloaded the relevant smartphone app to receive exclusive deals relating to Nike products and athletes it sponsors, including footballer Wayne Rooney and cyclist Mark Cavendish.

It is not known what offers will be available as part of the scheme.

O2 already has an association with sport through its Rugby Football Union sponsorship, which it recently extended by four years. O2 has sponsored Arsenal FC since 2002, while Nike provides the club’s kit. A source familiar with the plans said the club is involved in the scheme.

O2 launched its ‘Priority Moments’ location-based mobile loyalty scheme a year ago, with its partners including WH Smith, French Connection and Harvey Nichols. It also expanded its ‘Priority Tickets’ offering to the RFU sponsorship.

Earlier this year, O2 boosted launched its O2 Wallet, which allows users to make simple payments and shop using their mobile device.

Tom Hoch design-build company has been chosen for Chinese clubhouse projects. The firm will carry out interior and exterior renovations at Beijing Daxing Capital Golf Club.

Tom Hoch will overhaul the 60, capsule 000-square-foot space, malady install new amenities and design the interior of its halfway house, gatehouse and new driving range.

The course is being redesigned by architect Rees Jones this summer.

Tom Hoch will also re-engineer the 80,000-square-foot clubhouse of the Tianchi Golf Club in western China.

Founder Tom Hock said: “The Asian golf market has been booming over the last decade, and these projects are an important landmark in our global expansion.”

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Reports suggest that six leading Moto2 teams, seek Kiefer Racing, BQR/Blusens, Forward Racing, Marc VDS Racing, Interwetten Paddock GP and Speed Master, have been awarded places on the MotoGP grid for the 2012 campaign.

The teams are set to race under the “Claiming Rule Teams” system being introduced as part of the switch from 800cc to 1000cc engines, designed to cut the costs of running a team, leading to 11 squads from the 125cc and Moto2 categories expressing an interest in stepping up to the top series.

The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), which is also considering bids from some new manufacturers to enter MotoGP under the new technical regulations, still has to provide final approval for all teams. There is speculation that Aprilia, Norton, Kawasaki and BMW could also join the grid.

A statement from the FIM read: “Applications from new manufacturers wishing to participate in MotoGP continue to be evaluated. Further information will be provided when a decision has been taken on such applications.” Casey Stoner currently leads the 2011 MotoGP standings by 18 points from reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo.

Huge profits of Formula One owners have been revealed following new analysis of the finances of the sport, with a Formula Money report saying that F1’s holding company made net profits of US$137.1m in 2010, after costs, which included paying race teams $658m.

The report claims that the latest figures bring the net profits made since private equity firm CVC took control of F1 in 2006 to $1.22bn, amid speculation that potential bidders are circling the sport.

Estimates suggest that CVC, which now owns 63.4 per cent of F1’s Jersey-based parent company Delta Topco, made $87m from the sport last year, while the remaining $50m in profits were split between investment banks and individuals who own the rest of Delta Topco.

Christian Sylt, who with colleague Caroline Reid publishes the annual dissection of F1’s finances, said that Delta Topco made revenues of $1.6bn last year, and $5.9bn over the five years, stating: “It’s an astonishing return.”

CVC bought majority control of F1 from Bernie Ecclestone’s family trusts and a group of investment banks, while Ecclestone remains the sport’s chief executive and a large shareholder in Delta Topco. The analysis reveals that Ecclestone and his family trusts have earned more than $148m in five years from their stakes in Delta Topco.

The biggest single source of revenue last year was the race-hosting fees of about $567.5m, paid by governments and track owners to stage the events. The increase in profits came despite a small fall in television audiences to about 527 million last year, and a decline in ticket sales.

Sylt said that Delta Topco paid off $338.5m of debts – and $59.2m in interest payments – last year, leaving the holding company with about $2bn of debts and he puts a $5bn-$7bn price tag on F1, adding: “It’s at least worth that, and may be worth more to a determined buyer.”

While speculation over a bid from a consortium led by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp still surrounds the sport, Sylt played down any chance of a potential takeover, stating: “From what I hear from the inside, this idea of a News Corp bid is a non-starter. All it’s done is just focus attention on how valuable F1 is. I think all this stuff about bids has a lot to do with a new Concorde Agreement (with the current deal running out in 2012).”

Zulqarnain Haider, the former Pakistan national cricket team wicketkeeper has pledged to shed more light on corruption within the sport after three of his compatriots were banned from the sport for five years by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Haider, 24, said that he would “name and shame” those guilty of corruption after seeking asylum in the UK in November after claiming he had received death threats for refusing to help fix two games against South Africa.

In an interview with PakPassion.net, Haider stated: “There are big names involved in these illegal activities, but they’re getting away with it. I am ready to name and shame them, if asked by the relevant authorities.”

Accusations of spot-fixing in last summer’s Test against England saw Pakistani trio Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir receive lengthy sanctions despite the three have always denied any wrongdoing.

Despite the bans, Haider claimed thorough investigations were “not being carried out” and continued: “Players are going to be even more careful now and I know they are watching their backs and attempting to make it even more difficult for the ACSU (the ICC’s Anti-corruption & Security Unit) and ICC to catch them out.”

Haider, whose contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board was terminated following his flight to the UK, suggested that one way to keep tabs on players would be to subject them to greater financial scrutiny.

“What needs to happen very soon is for an organisation to be set up by the ICC for the specific purpose of looking into the bank accounts and financial dealings of all international cricketers,” he said.

“This can be an offshoot of the ACSU and should contain individuals who have previously worked in the legal profession or the world of finance.

“The new organisation needs to work closely with all of the international cricket boards who should offer their utmost cooperation.

“The player contracts with respective boards should have a clause in the contract stating that all financial transactions have to be transparent and details of all bank accounts irrespective of location, have to be revealed by the cricketer to the board and investigating authority.”

He added: “I gave up everything in cricket. I had a promising career ahead of me and I sacrificed it all, but I don’t have any regrets and my mission now is to clean up the game.

“I am prepared to do anything to help in totally cleaning up cricket.”