The New England Patriots, NBC/Telemundo and ESPN have gained new advertising revenue at the Super Bowl following the introduction of the world’s first Video Mic Flag.

Broadcasters at the NFL Superbowl are joining the ranks of CBS, CNET, ABC, FOX, CNN and Bloomberg by using Video Mic Flag. Telemundo.Through this ESPN, NBC and the Patriots are getting advertising revenue from major advertisers including Ford, Toyota, Subway, Gillette and Pepsi.

This is the same Video Mic Flag that was used at the NBA Finals broadcast by ESPN/ABC Sports. Now broadcasters are realizing the Video Mic Flag is bringing major advertisers to this amazing innovation.

New England Patriots: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Brian Waters, Jerod Mayo and even Mr. Robert Kraft himself have all used the Video Mic Flag with paid advertisers that include Subway, Toyota and Gillette.

The Video Mic Flag is the latest in innovations from leading Technology Manufacturer “The Recom Group.” This is the same company that introduced the World’s First Video Trading Cards for Superstars Kobe Bryant and Blake Griffin by Panini America. States Rob Norden, CEO of Recom Group,

“The response has been tremendous. Our Video Mic Flag incorporates 3 to 4 OLED (Organic LED) Displays that can play continuously for 8 to 10 hours on a single battery charge. You can create multiple playlists at any time. We have created an entire new advertising medium that has unlimited potential.”

“In fact,” declares Norden, “this advertising space will be at an extreme premium as it’s part of the broadcast and not a commercial interruption. It’s simply a matter of creating the video logos or content that can be recognized by the viewer without detracting from the interview.” Norden notes that many broadcasters are also creating content that applies to the interview. “Yes, we have one client that is using it for celebrity interviews and showing the guest’s own movie trailer during the interview.”

The Video Mic Flag is part of the Video Name Tag group of products. The original Video Name Tag is an OLED display that you can wear to stand out or promote yourself like nothing you’ve ever experienced.

Anheuser-Busch has told Richard Petty Motorsports that the NASCAR team “will not receive the final payment on its 2010 sponsorship contract,” according to sources cited by Dave Moody of Sirius NASCAR Radio.

Anheuser-Bush’s contract with RPM “called for Kasey Kahne to be the driver of the Budweiser Ford, and when Kahne left the team five races early to join Red Bull Racing, that contract became null and void.”

There has been “no confirmation from either the team or Budweiser, and no word on what the final installment of that sponsorship would have been worth to the team.”

Budweiser was on RPM’s No. 9 car driven by Aric Almirola for Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series Amp Energy Juice 500, but ESPN’s Terry Blount noted it is unclear whether they will be on the car the rest of the way and how that affects whether the 9 car will finish the season.

RPM’s future is in jeopardy due in part to co-Owner George Gillett’s financial woes, but Blount said, “It does no one any good — not Richard Petty if he hopes to take over the team, not Roush Fenway and not the creditors — to shut things down with three races to go. I think they’re going to do everything possible to have all four cars finish the season for the last three races.”

U.S. Squash have announced the prize purse for the 2013 Delaware Investments U.S. Open Squash Championships will provide equal prize money for both the women’s and men’s events becoming the first major in the sport to do so. 

Leading the way in the industry, and ahead of many other professional sports yet to achieve parity for both genders, the prize money for the women will be raised to $115,000 to make it equal to the men’s fund. 

The women’s draw will also be increased to 32 players from a previous 16 player draw, now in line with the men’s draw, providing greater opportunity for female professional players to compete in the World Series event. 

“It is a top priority for us to promote opportunities for girls and women to play squash,” said Kevin Klipstein, CEO of U.S. Squash. “Offering equal prize money is one way we are able to help more female squash players compete at the highest level and to their full potential.” 

Sports icon and social justice pioneer Billie Jean King said: “Any time you can achieve equality in any field of endeavour – be it in sports or in life – everyone wins. This announcement is so much more about the message than the money and I am thrilled another U.S. championship event has stepped up and done the right thing.” 

Klipstein added: “In the US we have the same number of girls playing as boys and a nearly equal number of women and men competing in college. The women’s tour has an incredible, dynamic and entertaining World Champion and recent U.S. Open Champion in Nicol David. The women’s tour is equally as significant and competitive as the men’s tour, and the opportunities for both genders should be equivalent.” 

This year’s prize purse will total $230,000, paying $115,000 to each division, making it among the largest prize money events worldwide. 

Last year the U.S. Open offered the highest prize money in the history of the event and attracted all of the world’s top ten men and women players. The event continues to grow in stature and the competition intensified with this latest raise, becoming one of the most prominent tournaments in the world, and one of the most popular amongst the world’s best players. 

In professional sports, tennis has become the role model for prize money parity since the U.S. Open in tennis did so in the early 1970’s. 

The US Squash breakthrough is also hailed by the World Squash Federation: “This initiative for the US Open signals clearly how seriously we take the promotion of our top women athletes alongside their male counterparts,” said WSF President N Ramachandran. “Our United States federation deserves great congratulations.” 

The 2013 Delaware Investments U.S. Open will be held at Drexel University in Philadelphia from 9-18 October.

The University of Kentucky (UK) today announced it has extended its partnership agreement with The Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), buy an affiliate of IMG College, to continue managing its domestic U.S. trademark licensing program through 2018.

CLC will also maintain its partnership with the University to manage its international trademark licensing rights. 

Kentucky, a CLC partner institution since 1985, will continue to gain access to leading brand protection, brand management, and brand development services through a comprehensive trademark licensing program customized by CLC, which currently represents nearly 200 collegiate properties nationwide. Kentucky will also continue to benefit from CLC’s proven licensing services, which afford the University the opportunity to contract with best-in-class licensees that advance its goals and marketplace position.

“Throughout our 27-year partnership with CLC, the Kentucky licensing program has experienced tremendous growth in the sale of licensed merchandise, including a 40 percent increase in royalties in 2011-12 over the previous year,” said Jason Schlafer, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Corporate & University Relations, University of Kentucky. “We value CLC’s knowledge and experience in the collegiate licensing industry, which will help us further grow our program and expand Kentucky’s market presence.”

Through nearly three decades of partnership, CLC has worked closely with the University of Kentucky to expand its retail presence in the marketplace, and to leverage national licensing programs for the University such as the College Vault, a vintage inspired collection of products, Victoria’s Secret PINK, and Old Navy. 

CLC has also helped Kentucky capitalize on hot market opportunities including its 1996, 1998, and 2012 basketball national championships.

“We are honored to extend our long-term relationship with the University of Kentucky to continue building on the success of its licensing program,” said Cory Moss, Senior VP & Managing Director, The Collegiate Licensing Company. “Kentucky has a tradition-rich history with a national base of supporters, and we look forward to continuing to help the University connect its passionate fans to the renowned UK brand.”

Kentucky is one of 13 schools in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) represented by CLC including The University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, Auburn University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Missouri, University of Mississippi, Louisiana State University, University of South Carolina, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University, and Vanderbilt University. CLC also represents the Southeastern Conference.

IMG College, an affiliate of CLC and creator of the premier national marketing platform in college sports, has represented Kentucky’s multimedia rights since 1974.

The French government has today unveiled plans to develop in Guyane (French Guiana), located just north of Brazil, an array of high quality sporting infrastructure over the next four years.  

The plans were revealed today at Club France in London, during a special presentation involving FIFA World Cup winner, Bernard Lama, and Olympic Silver Medallist, Malia Metalla, in anticipation of Brazil hosting the world’s two largest sporting events in 2014 and 2016.   

The new developments in Guyane, which include stadia, hotels, a transport network and other facilities fit to host high performance sport, are aimed at attracting elite athletes and national teams from the world’s top sporting nations.  The developments are underway so sportsmen and women can use Guyane as a training base in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup or 2016 Olympic Games.

The GIP Guiana 2014-2016 team, which is overseeing the developments, is currently in London to learn lessons from the London 2012 organizers, present its plans to media and meet with key sporting dignitaries from around the world during the Games.  The delegation will be based at Club France in Old Billingsgate walk until Saturday, 4 August.

Roger-Michel Loupec, President of Guyane 2014-2016, said: “From 2013, the sports world will be following the rhythm of the South American continent. French Guiana, like the Pas de Calais before it, intends to offer sport federations the best possible training and preparation facilities. With no time difference, a similar climate, European standard safety conditions and free access to sports facilities, you need look no further. We await you in French Guiana.” 

Ahead of 2014, Guyane’s football facilities will be transformed, with the Edmard Lama stadium in Rémire-Montjoly and the Bois Chaudat stadium in Kourou significantly enlarged and renovated in order to attract the world’s best football teams.  Additional sporting infrastructure is also being developed across the country in time for 2016, including an international standard athletics track in Rémire-Montjoly, a 10 lane swimming pool in Cayenne, a martial arts hall in Matoury for combat sports and fencing and a water course in Montsinéry for elite rowers, canoeists and kayakers. 

Jean-Pierre Mougin, Secretary-General of the French National Olympic Committee,commented: “By spending just over €35 million over three years on the construction and renovation of sports facilities, French Guiana is addressing the growing needs of a steadily increasing young population.” 

“Over and above this, the territory’s exceptional effort in developing sports facilities provides the opportunity for French and foreign teams to train in good conditions on this European territory of South America. For all these reasons, the National Olympic Committee is carefully monitoring the project’s progress.” 

Sports federations wishing to base themselves in Guyane ahead of 2014 or 2016 will also be able to take advantage of upgraded hotel facilities and an enhanced transport system. More than 4,000 beds will be made available across the country, while the Felix Eboue international airport will have daily services to and from France, Brazil and the West Indies.

London Welsh’s appeal against the decision to block their promotion to the Aviva Premiership has been put back by a week.

The case will now be heard on June 28 – it was originally scheduled for Thursday – under agreement by all parties involved.

The independent panel will compromise of James Dingemans QC (chairman), Ian Mill QC and Tim Ward QC at a venue yet to be confirmed.

Welsh won this season’s Championship after beating Cornish Pirates in both legs of the final.

But the Richmond-based club were told just hours before the first leg kicked off in Cornwall they did not meet minimum standards criteria set down by English rugby’s Professional Game Board for entry to the Premiership.

The Exiles played the final’s second leg at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, which is thought to be their preferred venue should they gain top-flight status.

As things stand, Newcastle will remain in the Premiership next term despite finishing bottom a point behind Wasps this season.

But should London Welsh succeed in overturning an original decision that went against them, they will go up and the Falcons be relegated.

India’s biggest beer by market share, denture Kingfisher, order  believe its sponsorship of English amateur cricket will give it a firmer foothold in the UK market and displace rival Cobra Beer.

The Indian brand, shop is using its sponsorship of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s ‘Kingfisher Beer Cup’, the nation’s top amateur cricket league, as part of a fundraising initiative to drive money back into grassroots cricket.

The scheme will be spearheaded by the launch of the ‘Kingfisher Quiz and Curry Night’ next month, which invites amateur cricket clubs to host their own quiz nights.

Clubs who register online for the event are sent an interactive quiz DVD as well instructions on how to organise and promote the fundraiser.

It is part of Kingfisher’s bid raise its profile outside of the Indian restaurant sector by bolstering its ties to “aspirational sports”, particularly cricket and Formula 1. 

Laura Mitchell marketing manager at Kingfisher said: “This isn’t just another campaign for us, the idea is that we grow this into something bigger over the next few years. While cricket is our core platform, the model we’ve developed is something that could be transferable to other sports and amateur clubs.”
England international cricketer, Graeme Swann, will front the campaign in the UK for the next two years.

In December the ECB announced that National Club Championship was being renamed the Kingfisher Beer Cup after the Indian brand signed a three-year sponsorship deal.

Shekhar Ramamurthy, deputy president of Kingfisher owner, Unite Breweries, says while the brand has an established international presence in cricket, his ambition is to extend its links by investing in the recreational game.

“All the marketing activity we’re doing may look a little disparate but when you put them together the objective is to make the brand in all the markets it operates in, particularly the UK, be seen as an Indian brand with a cool international image.”

With two weeks to go until the single biggest rugby focused conference and exhibition comes to Twickenham, Rugby Expo has announced the launch of an exclusive networking tool provided by iSportconnect.com, the industry’s leading community portal combining social networking, the latest sports business news as well as events and jobs listings.

The platform will act as a virtual meeting room, so that Expo participants can interact before, during and after the event in a secured way, thanks to the site’s Strict Door Policy.

Rugby Expo, the world’s leading rugby focused business to business conference and exhibition, will this year take place at Twickenham on November 23-24.

Taking place just three weeks after the World Cup final, when the sporting world is truly aware of the power and potential of rugby as a global sport, Rugby Expo 2011 will also play host to more than 50 leading speakers from across the sports industry, an expected 40 rugby focused exhibitors and more than 1,000 attendees over the two days of the event.

This year’s event has been re-designed to create a new approach to its structure with the aim of adding more value and benefits for our exhibitors and sponsors and more content, learning and networking opportunities for the delegates in attendance.

For more information, please visit www.rugbyexpo.com