Glasgow 2014 has appointed international sports rights agency Fast Track to ensure TV and radio audiences across the globe share the excitement and spectacle of the XX Commonwealth Games. 

The London-based agency won the contract to represent the sale of the Games’ international broadcast rights to key global markets including South Africa, Asia and New Zealand, as well as exploring non-Commonwealth Games territories.

It is anticipated that a global audience of around two billion will experience Glasgow 2014’s sports action and Opening and Closing Ceremonies through a wide range of international television and radio channels – creating a once-in-a-lifetime showcase opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland. Around 4,500 athletes representing 71 nations are expected to take part in the Games.

Glasgow 2014’s Chief Executive David Grevemberg said: “Maximising the opportunity of Glasgow 2014’s international broadcast rights is a critical success factor in terms of ensuring as many people as possible across the world can share the experience of an outstanding Commonwealth Games in Scotland and the sporting achievements of thousands of great athletes from across the world. 

“We are delighted to be working with Fast Track, a truly international sports agency with a wealth of experience and a successful Commonwealth Games track record. Through their efforts, we look forward to sharing Scotland’s biggest sporting spectacle with audiences around the globe.”

TV Sports Industry veteran Richard Russell who will lead the Fast Track team added: “Fast Track is extremely proud to have been appointed. Glasgow 2014 will be the third consecutive Commonwealth Games that Fast Track has represented and we look forward to the challenge of building on the record income and distribution levels we achieved for Melbourne in 2006 and Delhi in 2010.”

The Ultimate Fighting Championship organisation has officially announced its first-ever event in China.

Macau will hold a UFC event on November 10.

The event will take place at CotaiArena, a 15,000-seat venue that has established itself as the top live-entertainment location in southern China. The fight will be broadcast by FUEL TV in the US, and by UFC television partners around Asia and globally.

“Breaking into a market with a population of over 1.3 billion is both a testament to the growth of our sport and a long-term challenge we are excited to undertake,” said Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC Chairman and CEO. “This is just the first of many world-class fights we plan to hold over the coming years in China, one of the birthplaces of martial arts. The world-class CotaiArena in Macau is an ideal place to start this journey.”

“Sands China is thrilled to introduce UFC to Macau for the first time,” said Edward Tracy, President and CEO, Sands China Ltd. “Our continuing mission is to bring the best entertainment events to the region, cementing Macau’s place as Asia’s entertainment hub. It’s our pleasure to be working with the UFC organization to bring such a major sporting event for the enjoyment of Macau’s visitors and locals alike.”

UFC’s broadcast reach in China is now more than 450 million television viewers.

“This event is a major step in the development of the UFC brand in this region of the world, and China in particular,” said Mark Fischer, UFC Managing Director of Asia. “We are delighted by this opportunity to build on the media growth and attention we have received and to finally bring a live event in prime time to the millions of fans in this area, and especially to those lucky enough to come and experience all the excitement of the UFC in person.”{jcomments on}

The Minnesota Vikings have reached a tentative deal with the University of Minnesota for the NFL team to play at the TCF Stadium while a new Vikings stadium is being built.

Bagley declined to name a dollar amount, hospital but said the “agreement in principle” would add about 3, ed 000 temporary end zone seats to the 50,000-seat stadium.Bagley says other details need to be resolved before both parties sign off on the deal.

The Star Tribune says the Vikings paid $1.7 million to play a game at TCF Stadium after the Metrodome roof collapsed in December 2010.

Vikings vice president Lester Bagley also said negotiations for a new stadium are ongoing.

Team owner Zygi Wilf met Tuesday with Gov. Mark Dayton and chief authors of the stadium bill.

Bagley says there are “complicated negotiations” going on between the Vikings, the state and the city of Minneapolis.

He compared the talks to a prenuptial agreement. He said, “We have to live with each other for the next 30 years.”

He says the negotiations are focused on putting a new stadium on the current Metrodome site.

by Ismail Uddin

Für den Missbrauch von Pyrotechnik durch 96-Fans und weitere Verfehlungen einiger Anhänger in den Auswärtsspielen in der Europa League beim FC Kopenhagen (3. November 2011) und bei Standard Lüttich (30. November 2011) hat Hannover 96 hohe Geldstrafe erhalten. Die UEFA sanktioniert das Abbrennen von Leuchtfackeln und Rauchbomben im 96-Fanblock während des Spiels in Kopenhagen sowie das Betreten des Rasens eines Fans während des laufenden Spiels. Für die Verfehlungen in Kopenhagen verhängte die UEFA eine Geldbuße in Höhe von 15.000, diagnosis – Euro. Hannover 96 gibt die Strafe an die Verursacher weiter.

„Unsere Linie bleibt konsequent. Wir werden die Verursacher zur Rechenschaft ziehen und auch diese Geldstrafe an die Täter weitergeben”, cialis cheap erklärt 96-Präsident Martin Kind. In Kopenhagen hat die dänische Polizei Täter ermittelt, deren Identität Hannover 96 bekannt ist. Entsprechende juristische Schritte wurden gegen die identifizierten Personen inzwischen eingeleitet.

Bereits in der Hinrunde hat Hannover 96 eine vom DFB ausgesprochene Geldstrafe an einen ermittelten Täter weitergegeben. Für das Abbrennen von Pyrotechnik beim Bundesliga-Auswärtsspiel beim FC Augsburg unterzeichnete der Verursacher ein Schuldanerkenntnis und den Ausgleich der damals verhängten Geldbuße in Höhe von 4.000,- Euro.

Deutlich höher ist die UEFA-Strafe für das Auswärtsspiel in Lüttich. Ebenfalls wegen des Missbrauchs von Pyrotechnik im 96-Block sowie anschließende Auseinandersetzungen mit der belgischen Polizei hat die UEFA eine Geldbuße in Höhe von 30.000 Euro ausgesprochen. „Auch hier wollen wir wissen, wer Hannover 96 erheblich geschadet hat. Die Ermittlungen zur Identifikation der Täter in Abstimmung mit den belgischen Behörden dauern noch an”, so Martin Kind.

Der 96-Präsident appelliert noch einmal eindringlich an die Anhänger, die geltenden Vorschriften und Regeln zu beachten: „Ich hoffe sehr, dass die Spiele gegen den FC Brügge friedlich verlaufen. Neue Verstöße würden zu weiteren hohen Strafen führen. Dann wären auch weitergehende Konsequenzen für unsere Anhänger nicht auszuschließen.”

New Zealand will use its six weeks as host of the Rugby World Cup 2011 as an opportunity to attract global investment the tournament Minister Murray McCully said.

One of the areas identified was to broaden exports to help its economy recover from the deadliest earthquake in 80 years.

New Zealand plans to promote its most lucrative products during the Sept. 9-Oct. 23 event to an expected 95,000 fans, business people and media who descend on the South Pacific nation, McCully said in an interview in Wellington. The campaign is part of a longer-term plan to boost foreign earnings to 40 percent of gross domestic product from about 30 percent, he said.

McCully, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs along with the Rugby World Cup, said: “Despite the economic times, it’s a matter of us just being focused enough to make the most of an opportunity that really is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

New Zealand, which has more land mass than the U.K. and one-fourteenth its population, is hosting rugby’s most prestigious event a year after the first in a series of quakes that struck Christchurch, killing more than 180 and leaving the nation’s second-biggest city with a $16.7 billion repair bill. The country’s dollar has climbed more than 20 percent over the same period, peaking at a record-high near 88 U.S. cents last month.

The surging currency may prevent the nation’s tourist industry, which vies with dairy as the largest, from reaping long-term benefits from hosting the tournament, the central bank said in a report last week. It estimated that fans will spend about $580 million on local goods and services.

“The dollar is making it tough for all the foreign- exchange earning sectors of the New Zealand economy,” said McCully, 58. “It’s not just a question of how we perform. The fortunes of other economies — particularly large ones — reflect themselves in our exchange rate as well.”

New Zealand is promoting 16 export markets during the tournament, McCully said. They will include industries such as film-making, fashion, information technology and boat-building, along with more traditional exports such as food and wine.

The effort will target touring investors including corporations and sovereign wealth funds, as well as promoting the country through visiting media, McCully said. New Zealand’s geographic location was previously a disadvantage as it isolated the country from its main trading partners, McCully said. That’s changed in recent years, he said.

“We live in the Asia-Pacific century, and our major strategic disadvantage has become our major strategic advantage,” McCully said. “We sit on the rim of the Asia- Pacific region where all those Asian economic powerhouses are going to be the center of world economic growth for as far ahead as we can see.”

New Zealand Rugby League side Canterbury Crusaders are still without a home ground for the second successive season as Christchurch city officials said the earthquake damaged stadium will remain closed in 2012.

The Crusaders, record seven-time winners of the southern hemisphere’s elite provincial rugby competition, were forced onto the road for the entire 2011 campaign after AMI Stadium was damaged in the Feb. 22 temblor that killed more than 180 people in New Zealand’s second-largest city.

The long term future of the 36,000 seater stadium has yet to be determined with the engineers expressing a need to demolish one stand. The council have yet to find a replacement stadium for the crusaders.

“At this stage we can confirm that the stadium will not be available for the 2012 season,” Wells said.

Re-leveling and other repairs are required on another stand, the council said, adding that work is under way to establish the best course of action regarding two stands that dropped as much as 40 centimeters (16 inches).

The scale of the re-leveling required has never been done before in New Zealand and is rare around the world, Wells added. One method of repair could involve driving piles down 25 meters to reach solid ground.

“Engineers are working now to determine the best method of repair and to establish the costs involved,” she added.

The inaugural Russian Grand Prix will have new management after Sergey Vorobyev was announced as the new chief responsible for delivering the inaugural Russian Grand Prix later this season.

With attention now focusing on converting the facilities in Sochi towards their other sporting function following the completion of the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, the administration of the Krasnodar region felt the need to make changes to the top-line management, diverting previous incumbent Oleg Zabara onto ‘other projects’.

“Oleg did a very good job in building a team of professionals and establishing good reputation of the project,” Richard Cregan, international consultant to the event promoter, commented, “It is important to note that Sergey Vorobyev has been involved in the organisation of the Russian Grand Prix for several years. He co-operates with FOM, he is very involved in the details of work processes, and he is acquainted with major figures of the automotive industry and the world of motorsport. The team and the administration support him, so, there is comprehensive succession of the project management and there is no doubt he will be successful.”

Vorobyev previously acted as the deputy director of the department responsible for organising the grand prix, and has been involved in the project since 2012, working as a commercial director before graduating to the role of deputy director last year. He already has extensive experience in delivery of the most significant racing circuits previously constructed in Russia – including the NRing, Moscow Raceway, and PrimRing.

Renault SAS, denture leader of Electric Vehicle and expert in motorsport, bronchi has signed on as official Technical Partner of Spark Racing Technology to supply the Formula E cars to be entered in the FIA Formula E Championship.

The agreement was signed by Patrice Ratti, troche Renault Sport Technologies Managing Director and as a Renault SAS representative, Alejandro Agag, CEO of Formula E Holdings and Frédéric Vasseur, President of Spark Racing Technologies.

“Renault has demonstrated a unique commitment to zero-emission mobility, with a range of 4 cars available for sale. Renault in Europe, and the Renault-Nissan Alliance worldwide, have gained a position of EV sales leader. Formula E is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate the excellence and the reliability of our EV solutions” said Philippe Klein, Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning & Programs of Renault Group. “We believe that motorsport is an efficient manner to promote the efficiency of new technologies, and we’re eager to use that single-seater in FIA Formula E championship to show our technology is the best.”

Renault’s ongoing involvement in motor racing’s series provides it with a unique technological laboratory, giving it an edge not only in the world of production vehicles but also on the race track. Renault’s technological excellence extends not only in F1 but also in all Z.E. range.

“Renault and Formula E both share the same commitment to innovative technology and sustainable motoring and we’re delighted to welcome them to the Championship as a Founding Partner,” said Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings.

“Not only is Renault one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, with a very successful motorsport pedigree, it is also a pioneer for electric vehicles being the first full-range car manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles. To have a manufacturer of this calibre onboard is a great testament to the growing appeal of the FIA Formula E Championship.”

Spark Racing Technology sided toward this technological expertise to optimize the electric and electronic layout. The 42 Formula E single-seaters built for the beginning of the first season will be named “Spark-Renault”.

“Spark Racing Technology is extremely proud to have a new major quality player in motorsport, Renault” said Frédéric Vasseur, CEO of Spark Racing Technology.

“Their record and involvement in high level motorsport speaks for the brand. In addition, Renault has always been at the forefront of innovation and having their expertise and know-how is invaluable at such a key moment in the creation of the FIA Formula E World Championship. This partnership with Renault is a new corner stone in a building harmoniously taking shape at all levels.”

Renault Sport Technologies is the only car manufacturer to design, develop and market a comprehensive range of sporting cars and vehicles made for motorsport within the same entity.

It was an evidence for Renault to ask to his subsidiary to work on this project and to put on evidence all the engineers’ expertise on motorsport vehicles.

“Renault’s expertise in electric powertrain design and integration acquired both in production E.V. and in Formula 1 makes Renault Sport a natural partner for Spark in this exciting Formula E project” said Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies.

“Engineers from Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies will collaborate with Spark Racing Technology team to optimize the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain. Our experience will be particularly valuable to ensure the safety and reliability of the car.”

Infront Austria GmbH, the Austrian subsidiary of the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, has moved its headquarters to Salzburg.

From early July onwards, business operations have been controlled out of the new office space close to Salzburg international airport. The existing offices in Lustenau and Vienna have now been closed.

Infront Austria is led by two Managing Directors – Stefan Krauss and Michael Witta. The subsidiary’s key projects include the marketing of the IBU World Cup and the IBU World Championships as part of a long-standing partnership with the International Biathlon Union as well as the marketing of the traditional Vierschanzentournee.

In the future, sponsorship sales for the collectively marketed races of the FIS Alpine Skiing and the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup will also be controlled from Salzburg. Infront Austria is also involved in a long-standing partnership with the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) handling the marketing of the stadium advertising for the ÖFB team home games.