Euro 2012 on the Horizon with the Opening of New Arena in Poland

The preparations for UEFA Euro 2012 are progressing with the official opening of Gdansk’s PGE Arena in Poland.

The 40,000-seat stadium, which will host three group games and a quarter-final at the Championships, hosted its first match on Sunday as Polish First Division teams KS Lechia Gdańsk and MKS Cracovia Kraków played out a 1-1 draw.

Pawe Adamowicz, the city’s Mayor, said: “Today, we are taking football in Gdansk to a new level.”

This stadium came into being thanks to all the citizens of Gdansk, they can all feel like co-owners because they all funded this construction. I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, for the Polish government’s financial support.”

The $315 million PGE Arena has been designed to reflect Gdansk’s status as the world’s amber capital, with its curved exterior consisting of 18,000 plates designed to resemble the material. It is also has the first naming rights deal in Polish football and aims to become a true multi-purpose venue for years to come.

“Our dream is that this stadium will be sold out every match,” added Adamowicz. “I believe that today we are witnessing the birth of a new tradition of people spending time not by going to shopping centres but by coming to stadiums with their whole family.”

BCCI President Questioned On Financial Irregularities

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shaskank Manohar was on Wednesday summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with financial irregularities in the cash-rich IPL.

Manohar was questioned  for over two hours at the ED’s Mumbai office at Nariman Point. He left the ED office in a hurry without talking to eagerly waiting media outside.

The ED had last month issued notices to the BCCI and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi in connection with an alleged dubious transaction of almost $200,000 with IMG, the event management company of the IPL.

The BCCI denied the transfer to IMG, UK without Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) permission.

Former Cricket great, Ravi Shastri, now member of the IPL’s governing council when the incidents occurred, was also summoned by the ED.

The ED had also issued a notice to BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan and former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi on allegations of foreign exchange violations to the tune of $19.8 million.

 

Sportfive Launch Rights Tender for Hungarian Olympic Coverage

Sportfive has launched the tender within Hungary for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro media rights.

A statement from Sportfive read: “The Olympic Games enjoy a strong following in Hungary, in particular the Summer Games, where Hungarian athletes have traditionally collected a vast number of medals.

“Indeed, gold medals have been achieved at almost every Olympic Games since Hungary’s first appearance in Athens in 1896. Summer disciplines in which medal-winning performances have been scored include swimming, water polo, canoeing/kayaking, fencing and wrestling, amongst others.”

Sportfive is approaching each market on an individual basis and new opportunities for exploitation will be available for broadcasters previously involved as well as potential new partners across all media platforms.

World Cup 2014 Breaks Viewing Records Across the Globe

Following the first round of matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, capsule television coverage broke a whole host of viewing records.

Opening matches set new audience highs for 2014 all over the world as fans watched in record numbers in countries such as Brazil, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Argentina, France, the Netherlands, Croatia and Italy. An all-time high was set in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

The viewing figures also revealed an impressive increase in the United States, Canada and Australia, where the World Cup is helping to drive interest in the game to new levels.

ESPN’s coverage broke audience records for men’s World Cup matches in the United States.

Some of the key figures include: 

  • -42.9 million watched Brazil and Croatia on Brazilian channel TV Globo, the highest sports broadcast of 2014 
  • -England and Italy’s opener attracted 14.2 million on BBC1 in the UK and 12.8 million on RAI 1, the highest TV audiences in both countries in 2014 
  • -34.1 million watched Japan play Côte d’Ivoire on Japanese channel NHK, twice the size of the next biggest sports broadcast of 2014 
  • -Germany’s win over Portugal reached 26.4 million on ARD in Germany, the biggest 2014 TV sports audience 
  • -11.1 million watched the USA v. Ghana match on ESPN in the United States – a record high for ESPN’s coverage of men’s FIFA World Cup matches

“These record-breaking figures show just how popular football and the FIFA World Cup are across the world, from Japan to Argentina,” said Niclas Ericson, Director of FIFA TV. “We are seeing highly encouraging growth in interest in markets such as the United States and Australia.”

“The FIFA broadcast production of all World Cup matches makes this competition truly global and accessible for fans all over the world. It therefore plays a crucial role in supporting FIFA’s core mission to develop football everywhere, and for all.”

2014 Global Sports Symposium Pitch Competition Powered by 1010 Capital

The Global Sports Symposium (GSS) Pitch Competition gives sport start-ups crucial exposure to top agencies, teams, leagues, and entrepreneurs in the sports industry plus the chance to win up to one month’s worth of advisory services from 1010 Capital, a global merchant bank that focuses on incubating, advising and investing in consumer brands and ventures across the sports, entertainment and lifestyle industries. 

Four finalists were selected from a competitive pool of global applicants. The finalists, PlayEnable, Togeva, MatchPint, and Fiarfly, represent exciting innovations in the world of sport. Each presents exciting new ways for fans and athletes to connect to their favorite teams, brands, and activities.

PlayEnable.com allows fitness facilities to use PlayEnable’s simple shopify-style system to manage their clients, payments, and schedules in one place. At the click of a button, they can promote their classes on their own website as well as on PlayEnable’s marketplace. People at the other end can find and book these classes instantly.

Togeva’s Patent Pending Live Events platform provides a simple but effective way for venues and sponsors to connect with fans, harnessing the power of mobile. Live Events connects large numbers of fans to venue screens – their device becomes the controller allowing for an endless number of interactive games, polls and digital content to win sponsored prizes.

MatchPint connects sports fans, pubs and select brands. It is the leading sports marketing platform in the UK leisure industry, and gives consumers up-to-date information regarding sports events being broadcast in pubs.

Fiarfly’s SpecData app provides in stadium fans a richer digital experience. Using smartphones we overlay unique graphical augmented reality information that fans in the stadium have never received before such as record lines for athletics events, the distance a free kick is from goal in football, or how far from the posts a penalty kick is in rugby.

On 15 May, these promising start-ups will make their pitch to some of the top VCs, entrepreneurs and innovators in the industry in front of the GSS audience, including some of the business of sport’s largest stakeholders. Each will be judged based on their presentation, the opportunity they have identified, the solution they have developed and the big question: do the judges want another meeting?

The Global Sports Symposium (GSS) is a student-run, nonprofit conference presented by the team behind the Ivy Sports Symposium (ISS). The first annual GSS will take place on Thursday, May 15 at Emirates Stadium in London. The event promises to offer a 360-degree view of the sports business world, while giving established executives the unique opportunity to interchange with the next generation of industry leaders in an intimate setting. For eight years, ISS has rotated among Ivy League campuses in the United States and has featured more than 300 unique speakers from around the world. For tickets and more information, please visit

 http://www.sportssymposium.org.

Tokyo 2020 Campaigner Naoki Inose Leaves Governor Role Following Loan Scandal

Tokyo’s Governor Naoki Inose, who helped bring the Olympic Games to the capital city of Japan in 2020, has resigned after admitting he received money from a scandal-hit hospital chain ahead of an election.

Naoki Inose described the 50m yen ($500,000; £300,000) payment as a personal loan from operator Tokushukai.

He said he would resign to avoid affecting preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Inose was elected leader of one of the world’s biggest cities in December last year. He said he had paid back the loan from Tokushukai.

Announcing his resignation, he said: “I shouldn’t be delaying government operations or stalling preparations for the Olympics and Paralympics any longer.”

“I intended to fulfil my duty of explaining to the city assembly, people of Tokyo and people of the nation, but regrettably I could not clear doubts over me. It’s solely because of my lack of virtue.”

He added: “The only solution is for me to step down as governor.”

Tsunekazu Takeda, Japanese Olympic Committee President, commented on Inose’s resignation: “Mr Inose has been a fervent and enthusiast supporter of Tokyo’s bid to host the Games, and I would like to thank him for his tireless efforts and contribution to Tokyo’s successful bid campaign.

“The Japanese Olympic Committee will continue working closely together with senior officials from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the national government towards preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokyo 2020’s immediate focus remains firmly on finalising the establishment of the Organising Committee to ensure the successful delivery of the Games.”

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Exclusive: Sir Craig Reedie Hoping Experience will Help with 2020 Commission Role

By Ismail Uddin

IOC vice-president Sir Craig Reedie, cialis  has suggested today his experience with London’s bid for the Olympics will hold him in good stead when judging what it takes for a successful bid to occur.

“It is an honour to be asked to lead such a good commission. I hope that my long association with the London Bid and then 7 years as a member of the LOCOG Board give me the necessary insights into the organisation of a successful Olympic Games. I have also been fortunate to be a member of the Board of the Olympic Lottery in UK which provided a significant part of the public funding for the construction of the London venues in the Olympic Park, order ” Sir Craig, told iSportconnect exclusively.

Reedie was announced yesterday as the spearhead for the 2020 Olympic Evaluation Commission.

He has already received praise from sporting executives about his appointment.

Thierry Sprunger, the former Chief Financial Officer of the International Olympic Committee, said: “I have seen Craig Reedie chair a number of commissions or groups including the Finance Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency. He has always made the necessary effort to have a clear understanding of the subject matter, the risks and the priorities and more importantly, his management style is all inclusive giving each member of the team the opportunity to give their opinion. 

“These are the qualities needed to manage the Evaluation Commission which has a lot of work on its plate in very little time. Craig comes with more Games experience than many of his predecessors having been part of the London Bid and thereafter Member of the Board of LOCOG. On the technical and operational side, he can count on the experience of Gilbert Felli, the IOC Administration and subject experts.” 

British Taekwondo President, Adrian Tranter, congratulated the IOC vice-president: “I would like to congratulate Sir Craig on his appointment. He is the ideal choice & I am sure that he will steer the Commission with his usual skill & professionalism.”

These sentiments were also refelected by Urvasi Naidoo, CEO of International Netball Federation.

“Congratulations Sir Craig. I am have no doubt you will lead the Evaluation Commission well,” she said.

“Great to see you at the Velodrome last week. So proud of all that London has achieved, especially for the Paralympians. Sad it has to come to an end but looking forward to Glasgow.”

Congratulate Sir Craig Reedie directly here>>

Read Sir Craig Readie’s exclusive featured profile here>>

NeuLion Partner with CNTV to Develop New HD Stream in China for London 2012

NeuLion, Inc., the leading Internet video technology provider and China Network Television (CNTV), a new media agency of CCTV, today announced the first ever launch of a new premium HD streaming service in China for the 2012 Olympics. 

As the official Internet/mobile platform distribution entity of the 2012 London Olympics, CNTV has the exclusive new media distribution rights in Mainland China and the territory of Macao.

By leveraging NeuLion’s TVE (Television Everywhere) technology and Video Platform infrastructure inside of China, CNTV and NeuLion will deliver over 5,600 hours of live HD Olympic coverage, including a 24/7 live channel from CCTV and daily live event coverage of nine Olympic sports, to Chinese consumers on their PC and mobile devices.

CNTV will distribute and broadcast the Olympic Games via its brand new service “5+” and will be the only media in the world which covers all 5,600 hours of events for this Olympic Games. CNTV 5+ VIP is China’s first sports media platform that integrates the content of the number one Chinese sports TV platform, CCTV5, with exclusive distribution rights for 80% of the new media intellectual property resources that cover the top sporting events.

CNTV 5+ VIP will offer Chinese consumers a new premium, interactive, high quality service for the 2012 Olympics, at a time when Chinese consumers are looking for better quality on the Internet.

“The 2012 Olympic Games will be the first real digital Olympic Games and will be a new milestone for digital media to participate in the World’s largest gathering,” said WenBin Wang, General Manager of CNTV. “The development of new technology and the evolution of media platforms make the London Olympics a great new media venue. We’re committed to providing our CNTV viewers and Olympic fans with the most engaging and interactive Olympics experience possible with CNTV 5+ VIP. Our partnership with NeuLion helps us create a leading digital experience for our viewers. The interest in the Olympics here in China is big and our audience will be very excited by the first premium HD digital service CNTV and NeuLion have created for our Olympics fans.”

China’s consumer market, forecasted to become the second largest in the world by 2015, continues to grow at a rapid rate. Both Chinese and foreign companies are exploring new ways to keep up as the market evolves. CNTV and NeuLion have positioned the CNTV 5+ VIP premium service to take advantage of the expanding Chinese marketplace.

“We’re thrilled by the opportunity to showcase our best of breed technology in China. The sheer size and potential to expand new digital services in China is enormous. We are fortunate to have such a great partnership with CNTV and we are excited about our new premium HD service for the Olympics,” said Nancy Li, CEO of NeuLion. “Our technology and video infrastructure in China represents a strong foundation for other content owners interested in leveraging the opportunities here in China.”

Brazil President: Country will be ready for FIFA World Cup 2014

Despite continued speculation centred around doubts over Brazil’s preparations fo the 2014 edition of the FIFA World Cup, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has insisted that the country will be ready and that stadia will be completed in time for the tournament.

Recent reports have suggested that development work at the 12 venues listed for the tournament have been affected by delays, with some stadia struggling to meet FIFA deadlines.

Stadia in Sao Paulo and Natal have caused particular concern and while work has now begun at the former, development is yet to start at the latter.

However, Rousseff has dismissed that the stadia will not be ready in time: “We have stadia which are still being built and these must be ready by December 2013 to be in an extremely calm and comfortable situation. There are others which are a little more delayed but all will be ready. I feel confident that Brazil will be ready in 2014 to present the best World Cup.

“We (the government) together with the governors and the mayors of the cities of the World Cup are taking all necessary measures to ensure that this will happen.”

FIFA Believes International Friendlies are More Prone to Match-Fixing

FIFA’s head of security Chris Eaton believes International friendlies are vulnerable to match-fixing.

Games played around the world today and tomorrow carry a greater threat of being fixed because the focus on them is lower than for competitive fixtures, stipulated Chris Eaton, who joined Zurich-based FIFA from Interpol, the international police group.

“They’re more vulnerable than most, absolutely,” Eaton said in a interview. “We’ll always make judgments about those that are most vulnerable. There are some we’re looking at.”

Match fixing is becoming more common by the day. Police have arrested people in Asia, Europe and Africa for rigging matches. The start of the Turkish league has been delayed amid a police inquiry there and FIFA has uncovered several national-team games that may have been compromised, including Nigeria’s 4-1 victory over Argentina in an exhibition match on June 1.

The illegal gambling market is estimated to be worth $90 billion, according to the World Lottery Association, a lobbying group for state-backed lotteries.