ExteNet Systems, site Inc., capsule a leader in providing distributed networks for the wireless industry, today announced that it has been named the Official Arena Wireless Network Provider of the American Hockey League (AHL).

This deal comes on the heels of a similar agreement ExteNet signed last week with AEG Worldwide facilities.

ExteNet will work with AHL teams and venues to create opportunities to design, build, own and operate distributed networks in AHL arenas to enable 3G, 4G LTE and Wi-Fi based wireless services. ExteNet’s wireless solution for the AHL also includes a mobile application platform called “Go Beyond Live,” developed in conjunction with Wireless Fan Network (WFN) specifically for sports and entertainment facilities and owners. Go Beyond Live enhances in-venue experience via a portfolio of value-added applications including mobile ordering for arena concessionaries and merchandise and enhanced mobile video service delivery.

“ExteNet Systems has significantly enhanced the fan experience via their advanced wireless networks at many prominent facilities,” said Chris Nikolis, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Business development for the American Hockey League. “This is a win-win for the AHL and our teams because connecting with our existing fans, attracting new fans and delivering the best in-arena experience are priorities for all 30 member clubs.”

“Our work with prestigious sports and entertainment facilities like the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, home to the AHL’s Providence Bruins, and the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn are great examples of how enhanced mobile connectivity at venues can help attract fans to those venues, enable mobile applications, enhance the overall fan experience, and facilitate new revenue-generating opportunities,” said Jon Davis, Vice President of Business Development for ExteNet. “We, and WFN, are honored to be selected by the AHL to assist in this exciting opportunity to provide an enhanced wireless experience to the AHL teams and their fans.”

The Monster Energy World Speedway Invitational, the biggest speedway event to take place in America in decades has been confirmed.

A host of FIM Speedway Grand Prix stars past and present descend on California on December 29 for the event.

The meeting will feature American legend and double world champion Greg Hancock. He will be joined by 2010 SGP champ Tomasz Gollob and the USA’s 1996 world champ Billy Hamill. Grand Prix trio Emil Sayfutdinov, Antonio Lindback and Freddie Lindgren will also be amount the favourites.

Record seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls, 2011 World Under-21 champion Maciej Janowski, Team GB international Edward Kennett and American racer Ricky Wells are also set to appear.

Billy Janniro, Tyson Burmeister, Bryan Yarrow, Charlie Venegas, Gino Manzares and Jimmy Fishback will also fly the American flag.

The City of Industry’s indoor Grand Arena will host the action on a tight and technical, eighth-mile track, giving the SGP big guns half the shale they are used to competing on in the World Championship.

Industry Racing track director Kelly Inman is delighted to host such a prestigious line-up.

He said: “Speedway is experiencing a resurgence in the US. The significance of this event for speedway racing in this country is incredible as these are the best riders in the world.

“This is a one-of-a-kind chance for fans to be introduced to a new calibre and level of racing like they’ve never seen before. The same can be said for the American competitors, who wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to race against their European counterparts.”

Bruce Stjernstrom, vice president of sports marketing for Monster Energy, said: “To invite a number of the world’s best speedway riders – many who won GPs in the 2012 FIM Speedway Grand Prix series – to the United States and have them line-up against a host of highly competitive racers from America is unprecedented.

“Speedway racing is really a global sport, with its largest fan base residing throughout Europe. However, the sport’s roots are very rich in Southern California, as well, which is why we made the decision to hold such a prestigious event here.”

Chicago Bears Head Coach, cure Lovie Smith, will now be represented by IMG after signing a deal with the sports, media and fashion company.

In addition, Matt Smith will also join IMG as a client manager in the Coaches division.

In making the announcement, IMG Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of IMG Clients, Sandy Montag, said, “We are thrilled that both Lovie and Matt are joining the IMG family.  I am also pleased that Matt has decided to join the company as an employee in our Coaches division.  I believe he will make a fantastic addition to our team.”

In his new role at IMG, Matt Smith will be based in Chicago, working as a client manager in the IMG Coaches division with a focus on further developing the IMG Coaches business model.

Smith, 54, has been the Head Coach of the NFL Chicago Bears football team since 2004.  Under his leadership as head coach, the Bears record and caliber of play has steadily improved.   Prior to becoming Bears Head Coach, Smith served as defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams under head coach Mike Martz. While in St. Louis, Smith improved the Rams defense, which went from giving up a league-worst 29.4 points per game in 2000 to an average of 17.1 points in 2001. The Rams won the 2001 NFC Championship and advanced to Super Bowl XXXVI.  Smith began his professional coaching career as a linebacker coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

UEFA president Michel Platini has suggested a radical new plan for Euro 2020 by spreading across 12 or 13 cities around Europe, rather than being staged in just one or two countries,  said on Saturday.

“The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe,” Platini told a news conference.

“You could have one country with 12 host cities, or we could have it in 12 or 13 cities all over Europe. It is just an idea, but in these days of cheap air travel anything is possible.

“The majority of the executive committee thinks it’s a good idea and says we should really have a good think about this.

“We are going to have a meeting with all of our national federations coming up to December and in Decemeber or January we’re are going to make a decision.”

Turkey had been favourite to host the event in eight years’ time but their bid has been complicated by Istanbul’s campaign to also host the Olympic Games in the same year.

Platini said the idea for a multi-country Euros came to him “a while ago” and had been met with interest from his excecutive.

“It’s an idea I feel really passionate about, it will be a lot easier from a financial perspective for all the countries.

“If you need to build airports or 10 stadiums in a country, this would be rather easy because it would be one stadium per host city. That’s all we can say at the moment.

“We have not decided anything yet, but by January we will decide if we are going to have the Euros in one country or all over Europe.”

UEFA president Michel Platini has suggested a radical new plan for Euro 2020 by spreading across 12 or 13 cities around Europe, rather than being staged in just one or two countries,  said on Saturday.

“The Euros in 2020 could be held all over Europe,” Platini told a news conference.

“You could have one country with 12 host cities, or we could have it in 12 or 13 cities all over Europe. It is just an idea, but in these days of cheap air travel anything is possible.

“The majority of the executive committee thinks it’s a good idea and says we should really have a good think about this.

“We are going to have a meeting with all of our national federations coming up to December and in Decemeber or January we’re are going to make a decision.”

Turkey had been favourite to host the event in eight years’ time but their bid has been complicated by Istanbul’s campaign to also host the Olympic Games in the same year.

Platini said the idea for a multi-country Euros came to him “a while ago” and had been met with interest from his excecutive.

“It’s an idea I feel really passionate about, it will be a lot easier from a financial perspective for all the countries.

“If you need to build airports or 10 stadiums in a country, this would be rather easy because it would be one stadium per host city. That’s all we can say at the moment.

“We have not decided anything yet, but by January we will decide if we are going to have the Euros in one country or all over Europe.”

A Canadia Bank Overseas Cambodian Investment Corp.(OCIC) official said, despite rumors, Phnom Penh’s “iconic Olympic Stadium would not be lost to the city’s rapid development.”

The official was responding to questions about an online campaign launched to oppose the rumored construction plan. 

OCIC site engineer Meng Chamroeun said his company “would not cause any damage to Cambodian sporting heritage.”Meng said the OCIC was interested only in enhancing the “beauty of the stadium.”

Meng also said he couldn’t promise other companies would attempt to develop the site in the future. 

The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia building will have a state-of-the-art sports medicine and science centre as well as offices for the Paralympics Committee.{jcomments on}

Bernard Lapasset, IRB Chairman, today outlined the organisation’s ongoing commitment to growing the sport of Rugby globally. 

Speaking at the International Herald Tribune Sports Business Summit in Istanbul, Turkey he suggested four key factors that have led to an 18 per cent increase in global participation since 2007, including the success and strength of Rugby World Cup, the IRB’s Strategic Investment Programme, the organisation’s event hosting strategy and the effect of Olympic re-inclusion. 

Lapasset said: “These are exciting times for Rugby. We are experiencing unprecedented growth across all continents. There are now more than 5.5 million men, women and children playing the sport in all its disciplines within 117 countries affiliated to the IRB. We are growing in major markets such as China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico and the USA.”

He highlighted the importance of Rugby World Cup in driving the growth of the sport on and off the field: “The commercial success of Rugby World Cup has enabled the IRB to invest more than GBP 150 million in our national federations, regional associations, competitions, development, training, education, anti-doping and player welfare between 2009-2012. It is important that our top federations, who generate the major share of revenue, remain strong and that emerging and new federations can grow.”

Talking about the significance of Olympic Sevens inclusion he added: “It is the key that has unlocked the door to participation in emerging and new Rugby markets, thanks to National Olympic Committee and government support, our development strategies and renewed commercial and broadcast interest. Rugby is now on the agenda in these countries, in schools and growth is being accelerated.”

by Ismail Uddin

Britain’s leading independent specialist sports communications agency, Macesport have been awarded the role of lead agency to develop and deliver the content strategy for Vauxhall’s new Football social media platforms.

Vauxhall are known for becoming the first organisation to be the lead sponsor of the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales national football teams.

Macesport, who already manage the PR activation for the sponsorships, have been tasked with creating a Vauxhall football Facebook and Twitter digital activation for each country.

Bespoke English, Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh sites on Facebook and Twitter were created for an October launch.

Macesport Managing Director Paul Mace said: “Vauxhall enjoy a unique set of football properties and this requires a unique approach. Our emphasis will be on delivering a truly interactive experience for followers of each country.

“Our content will take followers behind the scenes and provide a unique insight into international football. Our aim is to bring supporters closer to the action, the players, coaches and management.”

Comprehensive matchday services, Twitter player ambassadors, unique video and imagery and unique competition prizes will all be provided.

Vauxhall Sponsorship Marketing Manager for Home Nations Football, Simon Culley, said: ”Engagement with the fans is vital to our sponsorship and we are delighted to have launched our social media platforms. We want to bring fans closer to the game and help them get them behind the scenes of international football.”

Macesport has successfully created digital strategies for many of Britain’s leading sports athletes – including Robbie Savage who enjoys nearly 500,000 Twitter followers.

This deal only expands the companies portfolio with names like the NFL, Precision Training, St George’s Park National Football Centre, Pukka Pies, ACA Sports, Leaders in Football, the Grass Roots Football Show and Mantis already securing their services.

The future of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix is under threat due to a fee dispute.

Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker has accused race organisers CAMS (the Confederation of Australian Motorsport) of holding the event to ransom.

The 2011 event could be deleted from the F1 calendar unless a solution is found by November 19.

Walker claims CAMS is demanding $800,000 to run the four-day event and says it is acting as a monopoly.

The dispute is due to go before the ruling world body, the FIA, and the World Motorsport Council.

But Walker has threatened to sack CAMS and hire organisers from another grand prix to run the Australian race.

“We call tenders to all the services to the Grand Prix and CAMS were unwilling to comply with our request,” said Walker, who is in Abu Dhabi for talks with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

“Then the (Victorian) Government decided that as CAMS was a monopoly, they wanted competitive tendering in all pricing, which is what the ACCC demands.

“But CAMS have resisted and have said to the World Motorsport Council that if the Australian Grand Prix do not comply then we will apply to have them removed from the calendar.

“We will not sign a new contract with CAMS unless they modernise their management and reduce their prices,” Walker said.

“They are charging us too much. All the officials are voluntary and we provide all the uniforms and food.”

Walker said the AGP Corporation was unhappy with the layers of managers and officials CAMS felt they needed to organise motorsport in Australia.

He said that Ecclestone has told him CAMS can remain the overriding national sporting authority but it was possible to appoint another organiser, such as the organiser of the British Grand Prix.

“It is the downright threat that has got the ire of the government and everybody else,” Walker said.

“We have been arguing with CAMS ever since we started.

“Now they have said you re-hire us on our terms or we will apply to the FIA to have you removed from the calendar.”

Walker said the AGP was “sensibly communicating” with CAMS in order to try to settle it,” he said.

“But they are threatening the Government and you can’t get away with that too often – but that’s how imperious CAMS is.”

Richard Childress Racing has named Matt Shearer as Director, Business Development for their 15-time championship organisation, effective immediately.

Shearer joins RCR from Churchill Downs, Inc. where he spent the past five years in their partnership development and sales departments. The graduate of the School of Management from Purdue University also has three years of sales experience in the National Football League working with the Oakland Raiders.

He will work under the guidance of Rick Penn, Vice President of Business Development for RCR.

“First and foremost, Matt is a great person and RCR is happy to have him join our team,” Penn said. “He has experienced success at every step during his career and demonstrated he can adapt and create long-term, winning partnerships. We look forward to Matt’s contributions in bringing new partners into the RCR family.”

This will be Shearer’s first foray into motorsports, making the transition from one kind of horsepower to another.

“Richard Childress Racing is one of the most well-known and highly respected organizations in motorsports and I am honored to be part of the team,” Shearer said. “NASCAR is a powerful marketing and business development platform and RCR’s focus on performance, its roster of blue-chip partners and a strong front office team make this a compelling opportunity. I look forward to getting started in my new role.”