FIFA has announced that to go along with their website, there which is the most-visited football website in the world, they have launched their official app.

The launch of the application coincides with the Final Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, which fans can follow live with the app on Friday, 6 December 2013.

FIFA estimates the app to be the most downloaded sports application ever, with over 70 million  downloads predicted in its first few months. The application is built on the foundations of FIFA.com, which during tournament months can receive in excess of 7 billion page views and 150 million unique visitors.

FIFA President Blatter commented: “Our mission is not only to develop the game, but to touch the world and build a better future. With the official FIFA app, we are using mobile technology – the most personal technology ever known – to unite and inspire fans, ensuring they never miss a moment of the beautiful game.”

The app, available in English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish, is free to download and available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones and tablets from today.

The World Curling Federation (WCF) has extended its partnership with the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) which will see Canada host the World Men’s Curling Championship in 2015 and 2017 and the World Women’s Curling Championship in 2016 and 2018.

The WCF and CCA will look to build on the previous success of this partnership which allows for the sites of the Canadian World Curling Championship events in 2015-2018 to be determined by the CCA, see in consultation with the WCF. Canada is already scheduled to host the 2014 Ford World Women’s Championship from March 15 to 23, cough at Harbour Station in Saint John, clinic New Brunswick.

The extension of this partnership will also see the CCA continue to own the presenting sponsor position for all world men’s and women’s events held outside of Canada, while host committees of world championships, held inside Canada, will continue to receive a percentage of gross ticket sales.

Additionally, TSN/RDS, the official broadcast partner of the CCA, in an agreement that runs through the 2019-20 curling season, will continue to hold exclusive broadcast rights in Canada for the world championships, regardless of where they’re played.

“The WCF is delighted to extend our agreement with the Canadian Curling Association,” said WCF President Kate Caithness. “This will ensure that alternating World Championships will continue to be held in Canada and will be a joint operation between the WCF and CCA. Our partnership to date has been extremely constructive and beneficial to the development of our sport and we look forward to building on this success over the coming years.”

Canadian Curling Association Chief Executive, Greg Stremlaw, said: “The extension of our partnership with the World Curling Federation will benefit curling fans in Canada and around the world,” adding: “This agreement is another sign that the CCA and WCF want to work together to continue building the sport of curling and showcase its top players in the best way possible on a global stage.”

The WCF’s marketing agent, Infront Sports and Media, has also agreed to partnership terms with the CCA to allow the CCA comprehensive sponsorship and marketing rights related to the World events held in Canada throughout the agreement.

On the continuation of this partnership, Andreas Biffiger, Associate Director, Winter Sports at Infront Sports & Media AG, said: “As the exclusive marketing and media partner of the World Curling Federation, we welcome the extension of the partnership with the Canadian Curling Association. In previous years, the agreement has enriched and enhanced the sport both internationally and on a domestic level. The continuation will enable all three parties to collaborate in the future – in the best interests of the athletes, commercial partners and the rapidly expanding global fan base.”

FIFA has announced the appointment of Byrom plc. as its official accommodation agency for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia following an open public tender process conducted by FIFA.  In total, viagra buy 18 companies from Australia, cialis France, sale cialis Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and the UK showed an interest in the public tender, with five entities from France, Poland, the UK and Switzerland submitting an offer to FIFA.

The tender process took more than 12 months.

“Following an extensive review of the excellent documentation submitted by all bidders, we believe that Byrom plc., with its vast experience in major sporting events, offers the best match to meet our needs in setting up the accommodation project for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” explained FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

Byrom plc. acted as FIFA’s official accommodation agency for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and will perform the same role for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. Byrom has been involved in, and assumed various responsibilities for, a number of major sporting events, including all FIFA World Cups since 1994 as well as other major FIFA events since 1998, all Ryder Cups since 1997, the Commonwealth Games in 1998, the Asian Cup in 1996, and the Pan-American Games in 2007.

Enrique Byrom, CEO of Byrom plc., commented: “We are delighted and honoured by our appointment as the official accommodation agency for these prestigious FIFA events. Byrom plc. is committed to continuing to use our considerable experience and expertise in the accommodation services sector to support FIFA, and the various stakeholders in Russia, in their efforts to achieve sustainable tourism legacy objectives.”

Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore may be heading to a different sport after reports revealed he was one of the favourites to replace F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

At 82 and facing the possibility of a handsome fine and perhaps prosecution for his role in the Gerhard Gribkowsky saga, the F1 boss may leave his post as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration sooner rather than later.

Should the Briton decide to do so, Scudamore has been touted as a possible replacement with the Daily Mail stating that: “CVC say they are not yet looking for a replacement for Ecclestone but have drawn up a list of those they would approach if Ecclestone is forced to stand down or decided to do so – and Scudamore is said to be one of them.

“Scudamore’s stock in the sports industry is high with the Premier League on course to collect £5billion from their global television rights.”

However, the paper went on to add that it would take an exceptional offer to pry him away from the Premier League.

English league club, Notts County have reached an agreement with St George’s Park National Football Centre to train there over the next 12 months.

The facility includes a full-sized indoor third generation football pitch, a 60m x 40m multi-purpose indoor sports hall, 11 full size outdoor pitches and one elite DESSO training pitch, which is an exact replica of Wembley.

The side will still have access to the Highfields training facility, which will be used the day before matches and when England are preparing for an international fixture.

Magpies boss Keith Curle said: “It’s a fantastic, consistent training surface for us to play on, a professional environment and it’s absolutely unbelievable that we’re able to come here.”

According to reports New Zealand could break a 100 year-old tradition by allowing a sponsor’s logo to be emblazoned on the All Blacks jersey. 

The New Zealand Herald reported, an American insurance company is negotiating with the New Zealand Rugby Union to place their logo on the front of the famous playing strip. 

The All Blacks have been playing without a large front-of-jersey sponsor since they started playing international matches in the 1880s. 

The NZRU initially refused to comment on the issue but after Jed Thian of the Alternative Rugby Commentary website revealed an impending sponsorship deal with American International Group (AIG) on Radio New Zealand, NZRU chief executive Steve Tew released a statement regarding potential sponsorships. 

“As is normal for our organisation, we are discussing opportunities with a number of potential sponsors across a range of categories,” he said. 

“Like any commercial organisation we are not able to discuss any of those details until both parties have reached agreement. 

“But let’s be clear adidas is our principal partner and that contract extends to 2019 and underpins rugby in this country,” added Tew. 

It is rumoured that AIG have secured a five-year deal which includes having their logo on the All Blacks’ shorts and shirt sleeves. 

But a NZRU spokesman refused to comment when asked about a potential jersey deal with AIG. 

If the NZRU do decide to take up AIG’s offer it would be a controversial but not just because it would break with the All Blacks’ tradition of not having a sponsor on their jersey. 

AIG used to sponsor Premier League football club Manchester United and their logo was emblazoned on the team’s jersies from 2006 to 2010. 

However, the company struggled during the global financial crisis and were bailed out on four occasions by the United States government. 

During the 1990s, the All Blacks had a shirt sponsor from Steinlager, who had their name emblazoned on the right side of the jersey. 

And currently, Adidas have a small logo on the shirt’s right breast, opposite the silver fern on the left.

Dreams, viagra sale Inc. a technology driven, site multi-channel retailer focused on the licensed sports product industry, has partnered with the Portland Trail Blazers to re-launch the team’s official online sports store.

The deal marks Dreams’ fifth alliance with an NBA team, following successful partnerships with the Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards.

“This new online shop provides Trail Blazers fans a greater range of gear and trend-specific merchandise through our proprietary and customizable e-commerce technology,” said Kevin Bates, president of Dreams’ retail division. “This technology, which is supported by our ongoing marketing expertise and superior customer service, delivers an unbeatable fan website for marketing partners like the Trail Blazers.”

The redesigned site will deliver an extensive array of products and sports memorabilia, including apparel, headwear, gifts, novelties, home décor and collectibles. This enhanced product selection is expected to deliver a substantial lift in sales along with an improved visitor experience.

“The decision to partner with Dreams was based upon their passion for delivering our fans the most comprehensive selection of Trail Blazers merchandise online,” said Kristi Wilson, senior director of retail for the Portland Trailblazers. “Dreams quickly and effectively delivered a turn-key website that dramatically expanded our merchandise offerings, along with a quality re-design and new ways to engage our site visitors.”

by Ismail Uddin

iSportconnect is pleased to announce a new partnership with leading law firm Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

The agreement will see Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP contribute to iSportconnect’s sports law sub-community. Contributions will include initiating group discussions, sale as well as writing expert columns, and publishing case studies.  Field Fisher Waterhouse will also work with iSportconnect to host the London branch of iSportconnect Directors Clubs; regular networking events for influential leaders in the sports industry.

Patrick Cannon, Head of Sport at Field Fisher Waterhouse said: “As a leading provider of legal advice to the sports industry, we will endeavour to offer the iSportconnect network an understanding of the legal issues affecting the business of sport as they arise from time to time; initiate relevant discussion surrounding points of law as well as providing expert opinion.”

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP acts for sports bodies and regulators, marketing agencies, sponsors, sports brand owners, broadcasters, and professional clubs. Its expertise within the sports sector ranges from advising on regulatory and disciplinary issues to advice on TV and media rights, sponsorship and sports marketing, the acquisition and funding of sports businesses, brand protection, betting and gaming, merchandising, ticketing, endorsement, litigation, and stadia developments.

Founder and CEO of iSportconnect Sree Varma added: “We are very excited to be working with Field Fisher Waterhouse. Their expertise in sports law will be a fantastic addition to iSportconnect. iSportconnect will launch its Directors club next year for sports business professionals to connect, so this partnership comes at a great time. I am also particularly enthusiastic about Field Fisher Waterhouse’s contributions to the sports law sub-community.”

Read Patrick Cannon first column for iSportconnect, “Developing New Sports Stadia Post the Credit Crunch.”

PGA officials announced that fans attending the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship will be permitted to bring the cell phones into the tournament as part of the PGA TOUR’s new cell phone policy that was announced on Tuesday, tadalafil February 15.

The tournament also announced several new social media initiatives both leading up to and during the Cadillac Championship, which returns to South Florida and the demanding TPC Blue Monster at Doral March 8-13, 2011.

The social media initiatives will be launched in two phases: pre-tournament and event specific. In order to participate in these promotions, fans will need to join the tournament’s social media network on Facebook and Twitter.

In addition to tournament news and announcements, social media pre-tournament initiatives include: Social Media Happy Hours in which will give fans a chance to interact with the tournament’s social media team, get exclusive tournament updates and promotions and also have the opportunity to receive special giveaways and discounts.

Spectators at the event who are fans of the tournament’s Facebook page or followers of the tournament on Twitter will gain free entry to a special Social Media Zone, a hospitality area which will provide discounted concessions, contests, possible upgrades in tickets and many other initiatives. The Social Media Zone will also be one of the specified areas where fans are permitted to use their cell phones for making calls and sending e-mails and texts.

“Social media outlets give professional athletes, our tournament, media and all facets of sports a new and exciting way to reach and interact with the fans,” said Eddie Carbone, executive director of the Cadillac Championship.

“We understand that mobile devices have become a part of everyday life,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Chief of Operations. “We concluded after the five test tournaments, that allowing mobile devices on-site at TOUR events was a tremendous fan enhancement, and did not affect the integrity of the competition. We anticipate our fans will be respectful of the policy.”