Lake Tahoe Contemplating 2026 Winter Olympics Bid

Lake Tahoe are still considering a Winter Olympics bid in 2026 following U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) decison not to bid for the 2022 Olympics.

Andy Wirth, President and Chairman of the Lake Tahoe Winter Games Exploratory Committee, said the committee would “absolutely” be interested in a 2026 Winter Games bid.

According to The Sacramento Bee, Wirth said locals had only recently created the bi-state organization, pulling together Reno and Sacramento-based efforts. He said more time will work in their favour.

Wirth, who is also the CEO of Squaw Valley USA Resort, host of the 1960 Games, said “when you have hastened truncated process it is usually not the best outcome. The gestation period for Olympic bids is quite long”.

McDonalds & Coca-Cola Benefiting Most Out of Olympics

Ambush marketers continue to reign supreme as only half correctly identified McDonalds and Coca-Cola as partners in a survey conducted by Opinium Research with the global brands recognised as getting the most out of their sponsorship of the Olympics.

Only 10% of Brits are aware that BMW are an Olympics partner, sale with BP and Adidas coming bottom for awareness on the list of sponsors.

However, cialis pills members of the public wrongly believe that brands such as MasterCard, Virgin Atlantic, and Pepsi are sponsors, with 22% believing British Gas is a sponsor instead of EDF and 14% believing HSBC is the sponsor over Lloyds TSB.

SPORT1 Secures Broadcasting Rights to Baku 2015 in Germany

Baku 2015 European Games have today signed an international broadcast agreement with leading German sports platform SPORT1.

The agreement will see SPORT1 become the exclusive broadcaster of the inaugural European Games in Germany, doctor enabling viewers to enjoy free-to-air live coverage of all 17 days of competition next summer, Baku 2015 European Games Operations Committee told Trend.

SPORT1 will provide a minimum of 45 hours of games coverage across television, internet, radio and mobile platforms, with the majority being broadcast live. Live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies will also be shown, in addition to highlight packages being made available.

The deal will also see SPORT1 broadcast the first European Games on free-to-air television in Austria and Switzerland, with an additional minimum commitment of 20 hours coverage shown on their pay TV channels.

“We are delighted to announce that SPORT1 will broadcast the inaugural European Games in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, offering millions of European sports fans the opportunity to enjoy live coverage of this historic event,” Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015, said.

“The signing of this agreement shows the high level of interest in the games around the continent and ensures fans can follow their athletes’ achievements across a range of media platforms.”

SPORT1 will work closely with Baku 2015 host broadcaster International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) and will manage their production through teams based in Baku and Germany. 

“As a broadcaster of the first ever European Games, SPORT1 is taking on a pioneering role of promoting the event in three major broadcast territories, Olaf Schröder, chairman of the Management at SPORT1, said.

“Only on SPORT1 will supporters in Germany be able to watch the world-class performances of our top athletes as they battle it out for medals in Baku.”

“This is good news for our top athletes, as well as for the millions of fans, and will help make Baku 2015 a success in Germany. We are very happy that the first European Games will be available to all supporters on free-to-air television on the leading German sports channel,” Michael Vesper, general director of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) added.

The deal sees Germany, Austria and Switzerland join Turkey, Romania, Hungary and Belgium in already confirming broadcast commitments for the games.

“SPORT1’s scheduling commitment and enthusiasm makes it a great platform for distribution in these three territories. The European Games are a major multi-sports event and we are looking forward to viewers being able to follow elite sport in the beautiful city of Baku,” Charlie Wijeratna, Commercial Director of Baku 2015, said.

SPORT1 has over 20 years’ experience of providing leading sports coverage to viewers in Germany. By the end of the year it will have produced around 6,000 hours of coverage of major sporting events on its various platforms in 2014, including the recent ice hockey tournament at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place from 12 – 28 June 2015.

Doncaster Rovers End Negotiations with Potential Investors Sequentia Capital

English Championship club Doncaster Rovers have revealed they have ended negotiations with potential investors Sequentia Capital with no resolution.

Sequentia, supported by an anonymous wealthy Belize-based tycoon, have been in takeover talks with the Sky Bet Championship club since June.

Their bid was supported by John Ryan, who brought the consortium to the table, and boardroom disagreements over Sequentia’s offer led to Ryan resigning as chairman this month.

The club has now confirmed that it will remain under its current ownership structure.

“Negotiations regarding the ownership of Doncaster Rovers FC have been ongoing for a number of months, however the current owners feel it is in the best interests of all stakeholders if the club remains in their control,” Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin told the club’s official website.

“The decision was based on what they believe is best for the club and they are looking forward to working with all involved in Doncaster Rovers to ensure that the club continues to progress and that the business continues to thrive.

“They are excited about the future of Doncaster Rovers and helping the club to realise some of its unfulfilled aims.

“The current owners have a clear and exciting vision for the club which they are keen to deliver.”

Sequentia pledged to spend upwards of £20million to help propel Doncaster to the Premier League and a heads of terms agreement was subsequently signed by both parties.

Ryan supported the bid but a boardroom split ensured that the offer was not accepted. He left after 15 years in the position as he felt his fellow directors “lacked ambition”.

Sports Analytics Expo Announced for 2014

The Sports Analytics Expo 2014 will be one of 18 events at the Geneva 2014 – International Sports Convention, staged at Palexpo Arena, Geneva, on December 10-11, 2014. 

The Sports Analytics Expo 2014 is the world’s platform for learning, discussion, networking and business in the domain of Sports Analytics. 

The conference program features high-profile speakers, industry leaders and various panel discussions.  Combined with the exhibition this is the Global Market Place for business and discovery in Sports Analytics. The Sports Analytics Expo 2014 is of interest to the entire industry. Media companies, sport scientists, performance directors and professional coaches will all be involved. This will make the Sports Analytics Expo 2014 THE platform for Business Growth, Networking and Development. 

200 Speakers, 4,000 delegates and 10,000 sqm of exhibition space are the key numbers. All Exhibitors will have access to all Conference Delegates from all 18 events running under Geneva 2014 – International Sports Convention, giving even more business synergies and business development opportunities for all participants. 

The organisers – Sports Development Marketing have expertise for staging world leading sports conferences and exhibitions. Based in the International Olympic Capital – Lausanne, Sports Development Marketing focus on ensuring business, networking and learning is achieved. 

To contact the organisers, find out more, and get involved, please visit the official website, or connect via telephone or e-mail. 

Event Website:                www.sportsanalyticsexpo.com
www.geneva2014.com, www.internationalsportsconvention.com 

Telephone:                         00 41 216 016 754

E-mail:                                  info@sdmworld.com

Jean-Christophe Rolland to Succeed Oswald as FISA President

The International Rowing Federation (FISA) has elected Jean-Christophe Rolland of France as the future President of FISA at the 2013 Ordinary Congress in Chungju, Korea replacing the outgoing Denis Oswald.

Rolland received 117 of the 179 ballots cast. The required absolute majority was 90 votes. Candidates John Boultbee (AUS) and Tricia Smith (CAN) received 50 and 12 votes respectively.

Rolland holds a Master’s Degree in electrical, electronics and communications engineering and has worked for EDF, one of the world’s leading electric utility companies, since 1993. Rolland managed EDF’s sponsorship programme with the London 2012 Olympic Games Organising Committee.

Rolland participated in three Olympic Games, winning bronze in Atlanta and gold in Sydney. He also holds five World Championship medals including two golds. Appointed to FISA’s Athletes Commission in 1994, Rolland served as Chair of the Commission from 2002 to 2011 and served on FISA’s Executive Committee from 2004 to 2011, at which time the FISA Council appointed him as a co-opted member.

Rolland will assume the presidency in July 2014, when the current president Denis Oswald will step down from the position. Denis Oswald, FISA president since 1989, announced earlier this year at FISA’s 2013 Extraordinary Congress that he would seek re-election but only for a transitional period of six to eight months. The FISA Council also decided to name Oswald ‘FISA Honorary President for Life’.

The FISA Council decided to stage the election of Oswald’s successor at the same Congress in order to assist the newly elected “president-elect” in the transfer of knowledge and introductions to the international sports world.

The Congress also elected Tricia Smith as Vice-President. Smith (CAN) was running against the incumbent Vice-President Anita DeFrantz (USA). In addition, Michael Williams of Great Britain, the current Treasurer, was re-elected unopposed. 

Rowing Championships Awarded

Three World Rowing Championship regattas were attributed by the Congress with unanimous decisions: the 2017 World Rowing Championships to Sarasota, United States of America; 2018 World Rowing Championships to Plovdiv, Bulgaria; and the 2015 World Rowing Under 23 Championships to Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

The FISA Council also announced its decision to award the second World Rowing Cup of 2015 to Varese, Italy and the third World Rowing Cup to Lucerne, Switzerland. Lucerne will host the second World Rowing Cup of 2016 along with the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, and the third and final World Rowing Cup of 2016 will be held in Poznan, Poland.

Three additional events were attributed by the FISA Council: the 2016 World Rowing Masters Regatta to Copenhagen, Denmark; the 2017 World Rowing Masters Regatta to Bled, Slovenia; and the 2015 World Rowing Coastal Championships for Clubs to Lima, Peru. The latter marks the first World Rowing Championship event to be awarded to South America, and the first time that the World Rowing Coastal Championships will take place outside of Europe.

Five new national federations were admitted as members of FISA: Benin, Botswana, Mali, Saudi Arabia and St. Vincent & Grenadines. This brings to 142 the total number of FISA member federations.

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USA’s Wellington Abandons FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 Bid

Wellington (USA), has withdrawn from the bidding process to stage the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018. 

Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the company that had put together the US bid for 2018, informed the FEI today that it was officially withdrawing from the process, due to a change in local government. 

ESP President Michael Stone, expressed his regret that Wellington was withdrawing from the bid process. “We are fully aware of the massively positive economic impact the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 had on Kentucky”, he said, “but we have a responsibility to the local community, equestrian sport, and the FEI World Equestrian Games not to waste the time, effort and resources of all parties involved in the international selection process.” 

The three bid cities still in the running to host the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018 are Rabat (MAR); Bromont (CAN); Vienna (AUT). Bidding teams from the three official candidate cities will come to FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) this week for a meeting on 11 July. 

“We are sorry Wellington will not be pursuing their bid,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said, “but we have three other candidates that have all put in very strong bids for 2018, so there is still plenty of excitement about the bidding process, and that excitement will certainly be increased when the bid teams come to FEI HQ this week.” 

This follows Budapest’s decision not to bid for the event.

Leeds to Host China Squad During London 2012

China has chosen Leeds as it’s pre-Olympic Games training centre after an agreement was signed by the city council in Beijing.

Approximately 220 athletes, coaches and support staff will be based in the city from early July.

Leeds City Council said the hosting deal was worth £250,000.

The Chinese team will use a number of sporting facilities owned by the council, private sports clubs and the city’s two universities.

The signing ceremony between the Chinese Olympic Committee and Leeds City Council finalised a deal that was announced in August 2011.

As well as the direct financial benefit of hosting the Chinese squad, Leeds City Council said it hoped the deal would provide “a major long-term boost to trade, commerce and tourism as well as strengthening cultural ties between Leeds, Yorkshire, the UK and China”.

Chinese Olympic Committee Liu Aijie said: “The Chinese Olympic Committee sincerely appreciates the hard and fruitful work Leeds City Council has done on the preparations of the pre-Games training camp for the Chinese sports delegation.

“We are firmly convinced that the training camp of the Chinese sports delegation in Leeds will achieve great success with mutual trust, concerted efforts and friendly cooperation from both sides.”

As well as the Chinese team, Leeds will also be hosting pre-Games training for the Netherlands swimming squad.

NBA Signs Lucrative New Broadcast Deals with ESPN & TNT

Walt Disney owned ESPN and Turner Broadcasting System’s TNT have extended their rights deal with the National Basketball Association (NBA) for a further nine years.

The deal takes effect starting with the 2016-17 season and increases ESPN’s television, digital, highlights, data, audio and international NBA rights. Games will continue to air on ESPN and TNT through the 2024-25 season.

ABC will remain the exclusive network for the NBA Finals and both ESPN and ABC will combine for up to 44 postseason games, including the conference finals. ESPN will continue to air the draft, draft combine and draft lottery.

The New York Times reports the deal’s value at more than $2.5 billion per year. ESPN’s current relationship covering NBA games on television began in 2002, when the network won the rights from NBC. TNT has been covering the NBA since 1988.

“The NBA has never been more popular and it continues to grow under Adam’s leadership,” Skipper said Monday in a statement. “By acquiring significantly more NBA content for both existing and yet-to-be created platforms, we will establish a vibrant, year-round NBA presence for fans. For ESPN, this agreement continues our fruitful, longstanding relationship with the NBA and bolsters what is already the sports industry’s most impressive and impactful collection of media rights.”

David Levy, President of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc added: “This is a significant deal for our company and we are pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the NBA, its fans, owners and players,” said Levy.  “The agreement locks in some of the most valuable, original, premium live sports programming that we’ll continue to monetize across TNT and all other platforms within our extensive portfolio and will help further grow our businesses into the next decade.”

“The Walt Disney Company and Turner Broadcasting share responsibility for the growing popularity and interest the NBA enjoys, and we are thrilled to extend our partnerships,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “With these new agreements, our fans will continue to benefit from the outstanding NBA coverage and programming provided by ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBA TV and their digital platforms.”

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Oldham Athletic Chairman Still Looking to Sell Despite Koukash Snub

Oldham Athletic chairman Simon Corney has revealed he is still seeking new investment for Oldham despite rejecting interest from billionaire Marwan Koukash.

Corney last week confirmed that he would not be selling to Koukash, a horse-racing magnate who also owns Super League club Salford Red Devils, because of his intention to move Latics away from Boundary Park and into a new stadium.

The Oldham chairman is content with the club’s current abode, which is currently under construction to have a new stand fitted, and wants any potential investors to continue his work rather than starting afresh.

“I have made it public before that I am looking for somebody to invest in the club, the team and stadium. That is still the case,” Corney told Oldham’s official website.

“I am not looking for somebody to come in and make a clean sweep and do it his way as I believe we are on the right track.

“If they share our vision and buy into it, then I will happily talk to them and bring them on board.”