WWE have continued their recent expansion by announcing their first live tour of Russia.

WWE has seen recent success on Russian Televison and has scheduled the WWE RAW World Tour for the Luzhniki Small Sports Arena in Moscow on Wednesday April 11, ed 2012.

The WWE RAW World Tour will bring some of WWE’s biggest Superstars and Divas to the fans in Russia for all the live excitement. Among the talent slated to attend are: John Cena, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, Kelly Kelly, Eve and many more. WWE will be working with the Russian live events promoter SAV Entertainment who has previously brought such prestigious acts as Paul McCartney, U2, Britney Spears, Aerosmith and Elton John to Russia.

“This will be SAV Entertainment’s first experience of this kind of show and we are very happy to launch it in Russia together with WWE” said Nadia Solovieva, SAV Entertainment CEO.

Dominic Hayes, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, WWE International, said: “Following the success of WWE RAW launching on 2×2 this past February, we are excited to bring some of WWE’s greatest Superstars and Divas to our Russian fans. WWE has a strong and ever growing fan base in Russia and we are looking forward to further developing the WWE brand in the market with this live tour.”

This follows WWE announcing their first foray into Abu Dhabi.

President, Enrique Cerezo, has initiated palns for a new Atlético Madrid’s 70,000-capacity stadium at La Peineta in the San Blas area of the city, which is set to replace the Vicente Calderón as their home from 2015.

Atlético’s current ground has room for 55,000 spectators and has been used by Los Colchoneros since October, 1966, but the new stadium will eventually have a 73,000 capacity after it has been expanded.

The first phase in the building of La Peineta is already underway: at the moment it is used for athletics and can accommodate 20,000 people and, according to the city’s ruling council, part of one of the stands will be demolished along with two floodlights while a number of walkways, perimeter walls and the athletics track will also be ripped up. Initially expected to be ready for the 2010/11 season, work on the new project has suffered a number of delays in recent years due to finance, but was formally approved on September 28.

At a ceremony in the city attended by the present squad and former Atlético greats such as Abelardo Rodríguez, Luis Aragonés, Luiz Pereira, Luis Reina and Kiko, Cerezo called it one of the most important days in history of the club.

He said: “This is an important day and I would say it is one of the most important in the history of this club. It is the beginning of a dream. Atlético hopes to create an unmistakable icon for the club and the city of Madrid.

“It will be a sign of identity and will provide the city with a new architectural symbol that in the future may become the home of the Olympic Games. There are not many times one has the opportunity to live a historical moment as relevant in the life of a sports club as this.”

On completion, La Peineta will be equipped with the best infrastructure and technology available and will hold concerts and major international sporting events with facilities expected to include: a state-of-the-art security system, escalators and elevators around the stadium perimeter on eight levels, meeting and conference areas, a clubhouse, an 18-hole golf course, swimming pools and paddle tennis courts. Supporters will also be able to take advantage of improved access points, nearby suburban and metro stations, parking for over 3,000 cars, commercial areas, specially adapted disabled areas, VIP rooms, private boxes, restaurants and fan zones.

Atlético are hoping to play at least one game there before the end of the 2014-15 season, while moving in permanently for the start of the following campaign, and confirmation of the move follows Madrid’s failed bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, the stadium will be presented as the focal point of the Spanish capital’s bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, when it will face competition from Doha, Istanbul, Baku, Rome and Tokyo.

Soccer’s World Governing Body FIFA have granted permission for England’s footballers to wear embroidered poppies for Saturday’s match at Wembley but only on their black armband.

The FA said in a statement: “The FA welcomes FIFA’s decision and thanks them for agreeing to this. While continuing to adhere to the laws of the game, wearing the poppy on the armband does ensure the poppy will be visible throughout the game.”

FIFA initially denied England’s request yesterday to place poppies on the national shirts during the Spain friendly but influential figures FA President Prince William and Prime Minister David Cameron jumped into the row.

The Duke of Cambridge – who lost two close friends in Iraq and Afghanistan – wote a strongly worded letter expressing his discontent.

Mr Cameron, meanwhile, blasted the ‘appalling’ decision to ban poppies worn out of respect for servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Less than an hour after the letters were sent, FIFA  whose reputation is hanging by a thread following a corruption scandal announced the compromise.

It means the FA has complied  to strict FIFA rules banning political symbols being displayed on national shirts, while football chiefs in Zurich save face.

It has also been discovered that NIke have taken advantage of FIFA’s submission by stitching poppies into the football boots of Ashley Cole, Theo Walcott, Scott Parker and Gabriel Agbonlahor for Spain match.

Sports marketing firm World Sport Group (WSG) have been appointed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the China Football Industry Development Corporation (CFIDC) on a multi-year deal, see to develop the brand of the country’s national soccer team.

WSG will create a comprehensive match schedule for China whilst enhancing the commercial revenues of the team once the deal is activated in May.

The agreement was signed by CFIDC deputy general manager, ed Liu Weidong and Nick Mould, president of East Asia at World Sport Group, at the organisation’s headquarters in Beijing on Saturday, March 12.

Wei Di, vice-president and general secretary of the CFA, stated: “We believe Chinese football has found itself at a reasonable level and the performances at the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar showed that there has been a strengthening of resolve. There is a belief in what can be achieved in the future.

“We believe Chinese football can enjoy a bright and successful future in partnership with our friends at World Sport Group.”

Pescara in Italy has been announced as the host of the 2015 Mediterranean beach games.

This was decided by the meeting of the ICMG, doctor the 24 Olympic Committees of the Mediterranean countries which took place in Mersin, bronchi Turkey. 

Pescara situated in the Abruzzo region in Italy, which in 2009 hosted the Mediterranean Games, beat off competition from Marseille. The Mediterranean Games include beach games and water sports 

The event will take place 21st to 30th August 2015.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) have launched Monumental Network, medstore a hub for Monumental-controlled content platforms for fans and customers in the Washington D.C. region and around the world, announced Ted Leonsis, the organization’s founder, chairman, majority owner and CEO. 

MonumentalNetwork.com will serve as one of the region’s top destinations for sports and entertainment news, providing fans with exclusive, original content and programming.

MonumentalNetwork.com will serve as the flagship site of a network that will eventually include more than 20 websites and blogs that are associated with MSE’s three professional sports teams (Capitals, Wizards and Mystics), Verizon Center, Patriot Center and Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Additionally, the recently created Monumental video productions department will produce original video content that will be deployed on MonumentalNetwork.com and throughout the various sports and entertainment sites.

The launch of MonumentalNetwork.com includes a mobile and tablet version of the website as well as social login capabilities via Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Yahoo.

“We are incredibly excited to launch Monumental Network, an all-encompassing platform that will deliver the most extensive and original content directly to our fans,” says Leonsis. “We will produce and broadcast unprecedented coverage of our teams as well as coverage of other sporting and entertainment ventures, making Monumental Network a comprehensive source for sports and entertainment news and features.”

Initially Monumental Network will create a common platform for many of its popular sites, including Ted’s Take, Capitals Voice, Dump ‘n Chase, Capitals Today and Washington Wizards Blog as well as new initiatives such as Daily Wizdom and Wizards and Mystics Today. This common platform will also allow a new, dedicated digital sales force to effectively and efficiently sell partnership opportunities across all platforms as well as the integration of mobile app sales.

Caterham Cars is looking to capitalise on the exposure gained from entry into Formula One by appointing Slingshot Sponsorship to activate all available commercial opportunities.

Slingshot will implement an extensive sponsorship strategy, anesthetist including brand marketing partnerships, unhealthy endorsement deals, arthritis licensing, corporate experience days, and much more.

The aim of the partnership is to create unique properties that can leverage the Company’s profile, and enhance the brand’s global appeal, capitalising on the brand’s entry into Formula One earlier this year.

Ansar Ali, Chief Executive of Caterham Cars, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Slingshot Sponsorship as their unique services complement the ambitious objectives of our brand, particularly now we are part of the Caterham Group.”

“As a British sportscar brand with the iconic Seven at the heart of our business, I have always felt we have much to offer brand partners, particularly through our motorsport and drive experience operations.  Now, as part of the Caterham Group, we have so much more to offer in terms of value and brand awareness, and Slingshot Sponsorship is the right partner to deliver and leverage the commercial partnerships.”

Motorsport is at the heart of Caterham Cars, with the Seven the original ‘race car for the road’; over 700 competitors racing the iconic model today in 11 countries around the world is testimony to this.

The acquisition of Caterham Cars by Tony Fernandes in 2011 and the Caterham F1 Team’s presence in Formula One has propelled the British brand to the forefront of a global audience.

With increased public and media attention from the Caterham brand’s first season in F1 and a recent track record of robust financial results, the company is now looking to further leverage its commercial activities.  Caterham plans to facilitate this through Slingshot Sponsorship’s expertise in building existing assets into commercially-sustainable sponsorship platforms.

Jackie Fast, Managing Director of Slingshot Sponsorship commented: “Being able to work with a brand that is on the brink of such change and innovation is what we live for at Slingshot Sponsorship.  We cannot wait to begin delivering the creative concepts and brand partnerships that will help project Caterham Cars to a wider audience of new enthusiasts.  The Caterham brand creates exceptionally strong advocates, both in Britain and internationally and we hope to turn this passion for the brand into a more holistic and accessible commercial property that can deliver real value for brand partnerships.”

by Ismail Uddin

North American-based Subaru Freeskiing World Tour has partnered with European-based Swatch Freeride World Tour (FWT) to establish a new global competitive big mountain freeskiing and snowboarding structure, medstore with stops stretching from Revelstoke, sale British Columbia, cheap to Verbier, Switzerland.

The move comes after years of both tours experiencing incredible growth in both athlete and sponsorship participation.

“This is the natural next step in the evolution of a long-term partnership between both tours,” said Adam Comey, president of Salt Lake City-based Mountain Sports International, the company that owns the Freeskiing World Tour. “This is a global sport with a common culture and passion for big mountain riding and a global strategy will best serve the athletes, events, and tour sponsors.”

Nicholas Hale Woods, founder of the Swatch Freeride World Tour, added: “The 2012 season will be the next step in globalizing freeride. We’re extremely pleased to co-organize an event together with MSI in Revelstoke in 2012, and we’ will continue working ever closer with MSI to further align our events and activities in 2013.”

In 2012, the tours will operate independently as they have in the past, with a joint event in Revelstoke, British Columbia, in January, followed by top Subaru Freeskiing World Tour and The North Face Masters athletes joining the Freeride athletes again at season’s end in Verbier, Switzerland, for the Swatch Verbier Extreme, featuring a $32,000 prize purse.

“Although Revelstoke Mountain Resort is expanding into the family market, our heart and soul is big mountain skiing and riding,” said Revelstoke Mountain Resort Chief Operating Officer, Rod Kessler. “The combination of the Swatch Freeride Tour and the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour marks a historic event amongst the Snow Sports industry. Revelstoke Mountain Resort and the Revelstoke Accommodation Association is excited to host the world’s top big mountain ski and snowboard athletes in January 2012. Our goal is to deliver an unforgettable experience to both athletes and guests alike, while showcasing Revelstoke’s unparalleled terrain, snow conditions, and hospitality.”

In addition to event collaboration, the two tours will also follow a unified global event tier and points system, now giving athletes the chance to enter in small, open events that feed directly to the world’s biggest freeskiing championships. Events will be grouped as 5-Star, 4-Star, or 3-Star categories: 5-star events will include Freeskiing World Tour and Freeride World Tour main events. 4-Star events will include World Tour Qualifiers and long-standing regional events such as Taos and Red Mountain. 3-Star events include competitions with big, open fields, first-time competitors, and lower prize money such as the Ski the East Tour.

The official 2011-12 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour season started this summer in Las Lenas at the Argentinean Freeskiing Championships (Stop #1), then moved to Ski Arpa in Los Andes at the Chilean Freeskiing Championships (Stop #2). The Swatch Freeride & Freeskiing World Tour Revelstoke 2012, Jan 4-12, will be Stop #3 on the Subaru FWT. Twenty-five pre-qualified Freeskiing World Tour athletes will join 25 pre-qualified Freeride World Tour athletes. Fifteen open spots are up for grabs in the qualifier event boasting upwards of 80 freeskiing athletes. Twelve snowboarding athletes from The North Face Masters will join 12 riders from the Freeride World Tour for the snowboarding category of the event.

FWT event director Bryan Barlow, said: “By partnering with the Freeride World Tour we are going to make it more compelling for fans around the world to follow both tours and other independent stops, as their favorite athletes gain points. The event structure and points system will create a clear path and added exposure for all aspiring big mountain skiers and snowboarders. The strategy for both tours has always been to grow the sport and keep it moving in the right direction, and I am looking forward to developing our partnership and events alike.”

The Subaru Freeskiing World Tour will continue on to Crested Butte, Colorado, Kirkwood, California, and Snowbird, Utah. An overall Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Champion will be crowned at the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Championships at Snowbird.