EPL’s Richards Backed by Bernstein, Refutes Triesman Claims

Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards has rejected suggestions that he bullied members of the Football Association board into blocking reforms after former Football Association (FA) chairman Lord Triesman spoke out against his old Premier League counterpart.

In an interview with ESPN, Richards stated: “Bully the 12 people on the FA board? Absolutely not. What a futile accusation.

“I am not a bully. I, nor the Premier League, block any change at the FA. We would not block change because we want change – we are a progressive organisation and I was personally involved in changing the constitution of the FA back in 1996 to form the board capable of being progressive.”

He added: “The FA is in control of football’s governance, football’s regulations and of football’s discipline, and that is how it should be.

“If the FA wants to run the professional game – the leagues and the Premier League – then of course we all have a problem because the Premier League won’t tolerate that kind of interference and we will fight our corner.

“I attend the FA board meetings about once a month, and I am one man’s opinion among a board of 12. But I am entitled to my opinion as a representative of the Premier League.

“For good or bad, I speak my mind and being a Yorkshireman, I might not be as eloquent at speaking as some, but I say it as I see it.”

Triesman’s permanent successor, David Bernstein was ratified in his role as FA chairman last month and has supported Richards since joining the organisation, stating: “There’s a mutuality of interest where the good of the national game is in all interests. Sir Dave Richards has been extremely co-operative.”

Bernstein added: “When I spoke to the FA Council two weeks ago I presented five main themes, one of which was relationships. It is very important to work and improve relationships in and out of the UK.”

Tennis Channel to Broadcast Champions Tennis League

US broadcaster Tennis Channel has signed a broadcasting deal to show the Champions Tennis League on its satellite networks. 

Tennis Channel will broadcast all Champions Tennis League matches from 17 to 26 November to 35 million Tennis Channel homes across the United States.

With live tournaments, cough one-on-one interviews, cialis game analysis and skills instruction, the channel is a 24 hour television-based multimedia destination dedicated to the professional sport and passionate lifestyle of tennis.

Tennis Channel senior vice-president TIR David Egdes said, “We look forward to highlighting the exciting team competition from the six cities across India, as well as seeing the current and former stars on each team, and the young Indian players who will be possible future stars on the ATP tour. We are also excited to introduce our audience to some of the extraordinary personalities and rich history emanating from the various CTL cities”.

Second Serve CEO Arjun Rao said, “This is the first time an Indian tennis event of this scale and size will be broadcast, with minimal delay, to the large tennis diaspora across the US. This is a huge step forward in our bid to become a globally watched League with some of the most competitive players in the world in our fold. We are thrilled to be working with Tennis Channel and we are sure we will benefit from their expertise and experience in the world of tennis.”

Manchester United & Liverpool Sponsorship Deals to be Unaffected as Chevrolet Pulls Out of Europe

General Motors, whose Chevrolet brand sponsors Manchester United and Liverpool, will no longer produce Chevrolet cars in Europe but insist this will not affect their deals with the two Premier League clubs.

In a statement they accounted the end of the manufacturing of the cars to a ‘difficult economic situation’.

The statement read: “The company’s Chevrolet brand will no longer have a mainstream presence in Western and Eastern Europe, largely due to a challenging business model and the difficult economic situation in Europe.

“Chevrolet, the fourth-largest global automotive brand, will instead tailor its presence to offering select iconic vehicles – such as the Corvette – in Western and Eastern Europe, and will continue to have a broad presence in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

A Chevrolet spokesman told Marketing Week that the new company direction will not affect the Liverpool and Manchester United deals.

He said: “The partnership with Manchester United and Liverpool FC are of global nature and we intend to continue these relationships to help build our brand around the globe. We are particularly proud that as of the 2014/15 season,Chevrolet will be the shirt sponsor of Manchester United.”

Instead General Motors will focus on their Opel and Vauxhall brands.

“This will improve the Opel and Vauxhall brands and reduce the market complexity associated with having Opel and Chevrolet in Western and Eastern Europe,” the statement added.

“Europe is a key region for GM that will benefit from a stronger Opel and Vauxhall and further emphasis on Cadillac,” said GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. “For Chevrolet, it will allow us to focus our investments where the opportunity for growth is greatest.”

Markus Rejek to Step Down as Borussia Dortmund’s Head of Marketing

Markus Rejek has announced he will step down as Head of Marketing at Borussia Dortmund.

The 45-year-old Markus Rejek is leaving after 14 years with the Bundesliga club. Reek, viagra 1999 was a founding member of the Sports Five teams in Dortmund, impotent where he was for many years responsible for the marketing and support of sponsors and changed in fall 2010 as Head of Marketing directly to the club. 

Reek will leave his position in late September.

British Prime Minister Backs Glasgow 2018 Youth Olympic Games Bid

British Prime Minister David Cameron said a successful Glasgow bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games would be a guaranteed legacy for London 2012 and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and would be a catalyst for the next phase in the UK’s journey with the Olympic Movement.

He said, “I am delighted to give my backing to Glasgow’s bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympics and sustain the momentum of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Whilst the Youth Olympics may not turn every child into tomorrow’s Chris Hoy or Hannah Miley, I am convinced that if we can bring the Games to the UK, we will help even more young people develop a sporting habit for life.

“The tremendous legacy of the 2012 Games is not just about stadiums and the economy, it is also about young people. All our great athletes started at a young age and I believe that the Youth Olympics is about opening young people’s eyes to the possibility of sport and inspiring the next generation of Olympic heroes.”

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City council said: “Being in Scotstoun today and seeing the excitement and enthusiasm that our young people have for sport and for the Olympic Games showed exactly why Glasgow would be the perfect host city for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games”

“A real strength of our bid is that it has the support of government of all levels and we are delighted that the Minister is backing the bid. We have a shared commitment to bringing the Youth Olympic Games to Glasgow.”

Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland commented: “The Olympics is already transforming the way people across the UK look at and engage with sport and will leave a legacy inspiring the next generation to compete and succeed. The example being set by the Games and our Olympians provide the perfect platform to support a bid for the 2018 youth event. I support it fully and will work with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and sporting bodies to help bring it to Glasgow.”

USOC Launches Team USA YouTube Channel

The US Olympic Committee (USOC) has launched the TeamUSA channel on YouTube, aimed at giving fans all over the world an inside look into the lives of Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they train and prepare for London Olympics.

 

The channel will feature a raft of original programming and will follow 17 Olympic/Paralympic athletes on their way to potentially making the 2012 Olympic Games in two shows: Qualified, and the 2012 Paralympic Games Returning Veterans: London Bound. Also, Olympic coaches and athletes will give advice in Olympic Coaching Tips. And, Gold Medal Moments will relive past Olympic memories with Olympians and the Olympic footage.

 

“In just over a month the Summer Olympics will kick-off in London with thousands of athletes competing for their countries to bring home the gold,” YouTube’s blog reads. “While the world will watch the summer games, YouTube will bring a new dimension to the competition.”

FIFA VP Hints Bin Hammam to Oppose Blatter Re-election

Outgoing FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon has hinted that his Asian counterpart, Qatari national, Mohammad Bin Hammam will challenge FIFA president Sepp Blatter when he stands for re-election later this year.

As of yet, the Frenchman’s revelation that he will apply for re-election for the post for a record fourth term, has gone unopposed ahead of April 1 deadline for nominations.

However, Chung wrote on his Twitter account yesterday, February 9: “I had lunch with Bin Hammam, the AFC president today. It seems he will challenge the FIFA presidential election in June.”

Chung, who will be replaced by Prince Ali Bin Hussein of Jordan, added: “A FIFA president from Asia is a good thing. We all support him.”

Chung’s claims come after numerous reports suggesting that Bin Hammam would contest Blatter’s potential re-election after the Asian Football Confederation president criticised the governing body’s operations over the recent months.

Last month, Blatter, making reference to Bin Hammam’s support of Chung’s failed FIFA vice presidential re-election, told journalists to “make their own conclusions” of how much support the Qatari had if he couldn’t command his own confederation.

Bin Hammam later made a thinly-veiled reference to Blatter’s attempt to extend his presidency to 17 years, saying that FIFA needed presidential term limits to introduce “new people, new ideas, new thoughts” to push ”the organisation ahead”.

ASBU to Show Baku 2015 in 20 Countries

Baku 2015 European Games has signed a broadcast agreement with the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU).

The significant deal will see guaranteed coverage of the inaugural European Games in 20 countries across the Middle East and North Africa.

The agreement means ASBU will offer free-to-air live coverage through its member broadcasters, ailment with full Arabic commentary and highlights packages of the 17 days of competition also available.

The deal ensures coverage will be available in Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015 Simon Clegg said: “This is a major moment for the Baku 2015 European Games and we are very proud to have secured the agreement with ASBU to provide coverage across the Middle East and North Africa.”

“This agreement is proof that interest in the inaugural European Games extends beyond the shores of our continent and we are confident that with more agreements in the pipeline that the European Games will attract a truly global audience,” he said.

ASBU will work closely with Baku 2015 host broadcaster International Sports Broadcasting and will manage their production through teams based in Baku during the Games. Live coverage of the Baku 2015 Opening and Closing Ceremonies has also been agreed.

ASBU General Director Salah Eddine Maaoui said: “It is a great honor to have secured this important deal with Baku 2015. The first European Games will be a thrilling celebration of sport that fans all over the Arab world will enjoy. We are looking forward to bringing this historic event and the exciting action to the entire region.”

Wolves Reveal Significant Losses

English League One Wolverhampton Wanderers have announced losses of £33.1million for the year ending May 2013 a major change from their £2.2m profit 12 months ago.

The Black Country outfit have been hit hard by back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One, where they are currently plying their trade for the first time since 1989.

Turnover reduced to £32.1m in comparison to the year ended 2012 (£60.6m), representing a £28.5m fall in income largely due to the loss of Premier League status and the vast financial rewards that go with it.

Total operating costs for 2013 were reduced to £42.8m (£51.3m), helped further by a net profit in player sales of £4.9m thanks to the departures of Steven Fletcher, Matt Jarvis and Michael Kightly, which reduced the club’s overall operating loss to £5.7m (£1.8m profit in 2012).

But, with relegation to League One confirmed in May, Wanderers’ board felt it appropriate and prudent to make a provision of £12.5m as well as an additional £15m to cope in one hit with the decrease in value of its squad following successive relegations.

A statement on Wolves’ official website read: “These adjustments, which represent good practice under UK accounting legislation, were considered essential steps to address the significant negative financial impact of consecutive relegations.

“As a result, the overall loss, after these provisions and net interest, was £33.1m (2012 profit: £2.2m).”

David Peterson Appointed New Chair of 2015 Pan American Games

Former Ontario premier David Peterson, who helped bring the 2015 Pan American Games to Toronto, has become the new chair of the Toronto 2015 organizing committee.

He replaces Roger Garland, who has held the job since 2009.

Peterson was the chair of Ontario’s bid to get the Games. He was joined by Garland, chief executive officer Ian Troop and dozens of TO2015 staffers for the announcement at the organization’s downtown office.

Peterson, who was nominated to the position by Premier Kathleen Wynne, thanked Garland for his efforts in creating a strong foundation over the last few years.

“Think of it this way — Roger was the cake and I’m the icing,” Peterson said with a smile. “And I get to do all the good stuff. Roger has done all the donkey work. He has put this organization together on a sound financial basis, great people have been hired across the board, all the wheels are moving together and in a very thoughtful way.”

The Pan Am Games will be held from July 10-26, 2015 in several communities across the province. The Parapan Games are slated for Aug. 7-14.

Garland didn’t offer specifics on reasons for his departure and did not take questions from reporters. A news release said he would be moving on to new opportunities.

“In short, now is the perfect time for transition,” he said in a statement. “I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. To use an appropriate sports analogy, I’m passing the baton for the next racer to carry for the final 100 metres of the relay race, confident that I’ve done my part to ensure the team’s success.”

Garland told staffers in attendance there was a “lot of disappointment” but that there were many good things about the transition.

“I think there are those phases of grief you go through when you’ve lost something and yet there is a positive side to it,” he said, adding he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife, who will retire at year’s end.

Peterson is a senior partner and chairman of Cassels Brock LLP, where he practises corporate and commercial law. He was the founding chairman of the Toronto Raptors and also served as chancellor of the University of Toronto until June 2012.