Former MSG Executive Scott O’Neil Becomes Philadelphia 76ers CEO

NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers have announced former Madison Square Garden executive, Scott O’Neil has become the Chief Executive Officer of the franchise replacing Adam Aron. 

He will also serve as an Alternate Governor of the National Basketball Association. 

“On behalf of our entire ownership group, I am very excited to welcome Scott O’Neil to the Sixers,” Managing Owner Josh Harris said. “We believe that Scott’s unique blend of experience, relationships and demonstrated leadership over the past two decades at the NBA, Madison Square Garden Sports and the Philadelphia Eagles will make him the perfect CEO of our business as we work to take the team to the next level.

“With Scott and Sam Hinkie, President of Basketball Operations and General Manager, I believe we have put in place a dynamic, industry-leading management team that should help position the Sixers for success both on and off the court in the future,“ Harris added.

“I have a great deal of respect for Josh Harris and the other members of the Sixers ownership group, and I am truly looking forward to working with them,” O’Neil said. “Josh wants to win – on and off the court – and has demonstrated a strong commitment to building the right organization from top to bottom. Philadelphia is a city built on hard work, grit and the strongest sense of community that exists anywhere in the country. We will work every day to live those values, integrate ourselves into the fabric of this community, and make our fans and business partners proud to be part of our continued resurgence.”

O’Neil will succeed Adam Aron, who will become Chairman and CEO of a new investment vehicle, funded by members of the Sixers ownership group. Aron also will remain a Sixers Co-Owner and Board member.

“I want to thank Adam Aron for his important contributions to the Sixers during a key period in the development of the team,” Harris said. “Adam was instrumental in re-engaging the Sixers fan base and guiding our ownership group. I am pleased he will remain active with the Sixers, and look forward to continuing to work closely with him as he aggressively explores investment possibilities.”

Aron commented, “I have enjoyed every single second of my association with the Philadelphia 76ers, and look forward to continuing to root for the Sixers as Co-Owner and Board member. Even so, as I look at the current investment landscape, my enthusiasm is boundless for what is to come as I commence an exciting new chapter in my career.

Most recently, O’Neil served as president of Madison Square Garden Sports, where he oversaw the business operations of The Madison Square Garden Company’s (MSG) three professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty, leading some of the most coveted brands in sports.

O’Neil was the key architect in several of the largest deals in NBA history, resulting in record-setting revenue in sponsorships, tickets and suites. His team signed JPMorgan Chase as MSG’s first-ever Marquee Partner and also secured Signature Partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Kia Motors and Lexus, all of which incorporated MSG’s sports, entertainment and media assets as well as those of the transformed Madison Square Garden arena.

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Chinese Vice Sports Minister responds to criticism of Beijing 2008 Olympic legacy

hospital helvetica,sans-serif;”>Yang Shu’an has responded to criticism of the fall-out from the 2008 Beijing Games and its environmental effect on the city.

The Chinese Vice Sports Minister has spoken out at a time when the Chinese Government are, once again, experiencing mounting calls to reduce the heavy pollution in Beijing.

This issue had been identified prior to the 2008 Olympics as a key concern, and, before the start of the Games, China spent more than $3 billion in an attempt to reduce pollution in the city. A number of factories were also closed in the hope of managing the issue.

At the time, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) and Chinese Government asserted that an advancement in air quality would be a key legacy of the Games.

The level of smog in recent months has led many to query this promise and the Government is now facing calls from Beijing residents to put measures in place to fully monitor the issue.

Shu’an has claimed, however, that the opportunity to host both the Olympics and Paralympics four years ago has had a positive effect on the infrastructure and the environment in the capital of China.

“The legacies of the Games for the Chinese people and those living in Beijing are multifaceted, but the first two are an improved transport infrastructure and environment”.

“Everybody living in Beijing has realised the unique opportunities created by the Olympics and can see that the overall environment has improved”.

The Vice Sports Minister, did concede that there are “challenges to sustain the Olympic legacies” and cited environmental protection as one of them.

South Korea to Host President’s Cup in 2015

South Korea will host their first ever golf’s President’s Cup in 2015, marking the continual growth and popularity of the sport in Asia.

PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said Wednesday at this year’s event, which begins Thursday, that an as-yet undecided Korean club will host the biennial match-play tournament between the United states and rest of the world of golfers representing non-European countries.

Finchem said the PGA Tour has “a number of options” for a host club but will not announce the specific venue until the first half of next year. Three South Korean Golfers are particpating in this years tournament at Royal Melbourne K.J. Choi, K.T. Kim and Y.E. Yang.

“I am very honored, very delighted … it is a positive step for the development of the game in Korea,” Choi said through a translator. “K.T., Y.E and I will try to keep up our ‘A’ game up to 2015.”

Yang said he was pleased to see such a “festival of golf” coming to his home country.

“I feel very proud that I picked up golf as a living,” he said. “I have no doubt this will improve the golf culture and golf market in Korea.”

Under the rotation system, the U.S. will host the 2013 Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

South Korea becomes only the fourth non-American country to host the Presidents Cup since its inception in 1994. Royal Melbourne was also the venue in 1998, South Africa was host in 2003 and Canada’s Royal Montreal in 2007.

“The growth of the game in Asia is well documented, and the fact that we have three South Korean players on the International Presidents Cup team this year illustrates the strength of golf in that country, which is only going to get stronger in the next four years,” Finchem said.

Kim hopes the 2015 decision would boost the sport in South Korea.

“A lot of my peers, a lot of younger generation Korean golfers, are also eyeing to increase their world rankings, get better and hopefully have a few more Koreans on the International team by 2015,” Kim said.

Choi, who is 41, was asked if he might be captain of the International team in 2015.

“No, I’m just going to try and condition myself until 2015,” Choi said. “I learned a lot from playing with the Aussie players this week, how they take pride in playing in their home country. I would like to feel that, and feel that kind of feel back home, not as a captain but as a player.”

He shared his fellow South Korean players’ sentiments that the decision would enhance the sport in his country and in Asia in general.

“It was my role and I guess Y.E.’s role to sort of open up the windows for Asian players in Europe and in the U.S.,” Choi said. “I believe that we sort of trailblazed that Asian players can compete at that level as well.

“With the Presidents Cup coming into Korea and with a lot of Asian players growing up, it’s going to be another endeavor for the younger generation to build upon what we opened up.”

Universal Sports Network Extends IAAF Media Rights Agreement Until 2019

Universal Sports Network has extended its media rights agreement with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) until 2019.

 The deal, finalized with the IAAF’s commercial partner, Dentsu Inc., gives Universal Sports, which already has rights to the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015, multiplatform rights, including exclusive TV and Internet rights, to all IAAF World Athletic Series events in track & field, cross-country, race walking and half-marathon including the IAAF World Championships, London 2017, and the 2019 edition whose located will be decided by the IAAF in November 2014.

Encompassing international junior and senior track & field events, the agreement also includes rights to the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2016 and 2018; IAAF World Junior Championships in 2016 and 2018; IAAF World Youth Championships in 2017 and 2019; IAAF World Cross Country Championships in 2017 and 2019; IAAF World Race Walking Cup in 2016 and 2018; IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2016 and 2018; and IAAF Continental Cup in 2018.

“Universal Sports’ commitment to track and field has never been stronger,” said Robert James, SVP of content and communications at Universal Sports. “This new extension with the IAAF propels us intothe future of the sport, showcasing both world-class athletes and up-and-coming stars from around the globe.”

“I am delighted that our partnership with Universal Sports has been extended through to 2019,” confirmed IAAF President Lamine Diack. “American fans will continue to enjoy World Championship athletics and the full array of other IAAF World Athletics Series competitions across the mediums of terrestrial, cable and internet. We firmly believe that the consistent high level coverage of our eventsoffered by Universal Sports is the key to Athletics making a genuine impact in households across the USA.”

Leading European Clubs Set to Agree ‘one-off’ Winter World Cup in Qatar

Leading European clubs are finally ready to accept that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar may well be moving to winter from its normal summer spot as long as if it is a one-off exception.

The European Clubs’ Association (ECA) chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has given their position by saying it is ‘better to play it in winter’.

That will leave the Premier League’s opposition to any move looking increasingly isolated with even new Football Association chairman Greg Dyke favouring a switch despite the disruption.

Rummenigge said: “We’re not in a hurry, there are still nine years to go. Having the World Cup in Qatar is not a mistake.”

“We are requesting a solution which in the end is not affecting too much of our business. After visiting Qatar at our last general assembly we had a good feeling about the organisation of a World Cup there.”

FIFA will make a decision on moving the World Cup next month with president Sepp Blatter claiming it is ‘discrimination’ to stipulate it can only be played in the summer.

Blatter has confirmed that he will recommend to the FIFA executive committee meeting in Zurich on October 3 and 4 that the dates are changed.

He told insideworldfootball.com: “If we maintain, rigidly, the status quo, then a FIFA World Cup can never be played in countries that are south of the equator or indeed near the equator. We automatically discriminate against countries that have different seasons than we do in Europe.

“I think it is high time that Europe starts to understand that we do not rule the world any more, and that some former European imperial powers can no longer impress their will on to others in far away places.”

Rummenigge Re-elected ECA Chairman

Rummenigge was also re-elected as European Club Association chairman at the ECA’s 11th General Assembly in Geneva.

Commenting on the elections, ECA Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “I am delighted to be elected for another 2-year term and re-appointed as chairman. We have achieved a lot in the past, but our mission is not over. With the support of all member clubs, the newly elected Executive Board will continue to work for the good of European football and ensure that the clubs voice is heard.”

New Executive Board:

Chairman:
Mr. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge FC Bayern München (GER)

1st Vice-Chairman
Mr. Umberto Gandini AC Milan (ITA)

2nd Vice-Chairman
Mr. Sandro Rosell FC Barcelona (SPA)

3rd Vice-Chairman
Mr. Evgeni Giner PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)

Members:
Mr. Ivan Gazidis Arsenal FC (ENG)
Mr. Pedro López Jímenez Real Madrid CF (SPA)
Mr. Andrea Agnelli Juventus (ITA)
Mr. Jean-Michel Aulas Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Mr. Diogo Brandão FC Porto (POR)
Mr. Theodore Giannikos Olympiacos FC (GRE)
Mr. Edwin van der Sar AFC Ajax (NED)
Mr. Michael Verschueren RSC Anderlecht (BEL)
Mr. Jakub Otava AC Sparta Praha (CZE)
Mr. Zoran Mami? GNK Dinamo (CRO)
Mr. Aušrys Labinas FK Ekranas (LTU)

Michele Centenaro was confirmed as ECA General Secretary.

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IOA to Meet with Athletes to Discuss Dow Sponsorship

With tensions rising in India over Dow Chemicals association with the London Olympics, doctor the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has convened a meeting on Friday to discuss the issue following IOC chief Jacques Rogge’s suggestion that they should enter into a dialogue with the athletes.

Although the IOA has made it clear that there was no question of India boycotting the Games, the meeting of the top brass assumes importance in the light of Rogge’s statement as well as the public outrage.

IOA Vice-President Tarlochan Singh, said: “A meeting has been called on December 9 to discuss issues related to this problem. The IOA’s general body and the Executive Board will meet on December 15.”

Tarlochan said all the issues related to Dow Chemicals sponsorship and the resentment it has created will be taken into account by the members before taking a final decision.

“The matter has to be thoroughly discussed, we can’t take a decision on our own. The sentiments of the people of Bhopal are also important,” he said.

He said the IOA is aware of Rogge’s comments and would discuss his suggestion in the meeting.

Singapore to Host 2015 Southeast Asian Games

Singapore has been approved to host the 2015 Southeast Asian Games, by the Southeast Asian Games Federation.

The bid was approved at a meeting in Palembang, Indonesia, on Saturday evening, local daily Straits Times said.

“Our neighbors in Asean have agreed for us to host the Games and we’re very grateful for that,” Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean was quoted as saying. “Now we have four years to plan for the games and, from now on, the planning will take place.”

Singapore first expressed interest in February to stage the event after the original host Cambodia said it did not have the resources to do it, and officially announced its bid last week. No other countries were bidding.

Teo said the main venue for the event will be upcoming Sports Hub, which will be built at a cost of 1.33 billion Singapore dollars (1.03 billion U.S. dollars) and will be ready by 2014.

“The swimming facilities will be there and many of the sports for the Southeast Asian Games in 2015 will be focused around the Sports Hub,” said Teo, who is also president of the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Sky Sports to Dedicate Channel to 2014 Ryder Cup

Golf is set to be boosted further in the UK after pay-tv broadcaster Sky Sports decided to dedicate an entire channel to The 2014 Ryder Cup this Autumn.

For the first time ever, Sky Sports 4 will become ‘Sky Sports Ryder Cup’ and will show over 330 hours of golf across 14 days, including 36 hours of live coverage from Gleneagles.

The 2014 Ryder Cup is the tenth to be shown exclusively live by Sky Sports.  The channel goes live at 6am on Thursday 18 September and continues until 6am on Thursday 2nd October. 

Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, said: “We’re dedicating a whole channel to the biggest event in golf, providing viewers with the complete Ryder Cup experience all in one place. 

“We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with golf and its fitting we mark our tenth Ryder Cup on Sky Sports with an entire channel.  We can’t wait.”

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “The dedication shown by Sky Sports in showcasing both The European Tour and The Ryder Cup is matched only by the continued excellence and innovation of their programming, as will be further illustrated by the ‘Sky Sports Ryder Cup’ channel this September.

“We are extremely proud of our relationship with Sky Sports and we thank them for their continued commitment and look forward to working together at Gleneagles and beyond.”

The Vladmir Potanin Foundation Distributes 20 RIOU MSA Scholarships

The Vladimir Potanin Foundation’s Expert Council has selected the first 20 individuals who will receive full scholarships to study at the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The successful scholarship recipients will be enrolled in RIOU’s unique English-speaking Master of Sport Administration (MSA) programme. The Foundation will provide each scholar with an individual donation of around one million rubles, doctor which will cover the cost of their education and accommodation on the University’s brand new campus. The Foundation is keen to encourage and stimulate innovative practices in education, tadalafil and the MSA programme is the first programme in sport management to be taught at such a high level in Russia.

Larisa Zelkova, The Vladimir Potanin Foundation Director General, said:

“We are confident that RIOU will become a centre of training for a new generation of sports managers; not only for Russian students but for students from all nations that respect the Olympic values. Representatives from 13 countries have received grants from the Foundation to pay for their education. These people are not dreamers or theorists, but specialists whose life is closely connected with sport. For example, Olympic swimming gold medallist, Otylia Jedrzejczak, is one of the students granted a scholarship. This year’s intake is really special and exceptional. Thanks to RIOU’s strong relationship with the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee, students will have a unique chance to combine theory with practice as they will be given the opportunity to experience first-hand what goes into organising and staging next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. RIOU is a strategic project which is not limited to one competition or one country; the contribution of our Foundation is for the long term development of Russian sport and the world’s Olympic Movement.”

Rector of RIOU, Professor Lev Belousov added:

“RIOU is the first, and only, Olympic university in the world where representatives from all continents will study and teach. Today, many countries are looking for new generation sports managers who have knowledge of the most up-to-date management practices and who can utilise those practices effectively. The Foundation’s generous scholarships will enable students of RIOU – people with a background in sport – to use this knowledge to evolve their careers and develop their countries’ sports industries.”

The MSA programme is designed for representatives of National Olympic Committees, international and national sports federations, sports clubs, agencies, consultancies and other organisations working in the sports sector. The programme was designed by Russian and international experts, who, along with professors from leading universities and Olympic research centres, are key members of the University’s academic teaching staff.

Vladimir Potanin Foundation Scholarship Recipients:

1.     Avetissian Areg (Armenia)

2.     Akhtyrskaya Anastasia (Russia)

3.     Beliaev Ivan (Russia)

4.     Chipatiso Abigail (Zimbabwe)

5.     Fessenko Olesia (Russia)

6.     Grenaderova Natalia (Russia)

7.     Hopp Evelyn Miriam (Germany)

8.     Jedrzejczak Otylia (Poland)

9.     Kokurin Alexey  (Russia)

10.  Martins Natalie Yomura (Brazil)

11.  Martirossian Anna (Armenia)

12.  Menéndez Jorge Mario Marroquín (Guatemala)

13.  Ngwigwa Obakeng Ambrose (Botswana)

14.  Oh Hyoungkeun (Republic of Korea)

15.  Pathirathnalage Wijeratne llanga (Sri Lanka)

16.  Patrakov Alexey (Russia)

17.  Perederiy Vera (Ukraine)

18.  Singh Vijay (India)

19.  Ssemmanda Joseph Collins (Uganda)

20.  Zaikov Igor (Russia).

The Expert Council also selected three additional candidates who will be on standby to receive a scholarship, should any of the 20 selected candidates drop out or be unable to take up the scholarship offer:

21.                Prut Olga (Russia)

22.                Pomerantsev Andrey (Russia)

23.                Shvetsova Elena (Russia)

Andrew Lloyd-Skinner Becomes Interim CEO of UKGCOA after Cameron Departs

The U.K. Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) have announced newly appointed General Manager, arthritis James Cameron has left the Association with immediate effect due to family commitments.

Cameron, ed who was appointed in February, had only been five months on the job in the newly created role as General Manager before his departure.

His responsibilities will go to Andrew Lloyd-Skinner who was appointed by the UKGCOA as Interim Chief Executive on a part-time basis to oversee the association’s management responsibilities with help from Debbie Goddard and Paul Taylor.

Andrew and his family have been the owners of North Weald Golf Club in Essex for ten years. During that time he has become extensively aware of the issues facing golf facility owners and he is keen to work with proprietors and operators to confront the issues and maximise all opportunities for the proprietary sector.

Andrew will be speaking at the Regional Meetings at the location and dates shown below and will be delighted to meet as many proprietors as possible to understand what the propriety golf sector really wants from its Association.