The Fédération Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing (FIBT) have extended their partnership with media rights agency Infront Sports & Media up to and including the 2017/18 season.

As well as handling the worldwide media rights distribution and marketing of major sponsorship packages for the Men’s and Women’s FIBT World Cup and FIBT World Championships for both Bobsleigh and Skeleton, the new agreement also includes media production at all FIBT World Cup and World Championship events worldwide.

As part of its ongoing role in a media rights capacity, Infront offers market-by-market segmented packages on a global level, including live, delayed and highlights footage. The rights cover all platforms, including TV, radio, internet and mobile, worldwide on a free and pay basis – with a view to achieving as much coverage for fans as possible. Live streaming rights, for exploitation on the official FIBT digital platforms, for selected territories are to be retained by the FIBT.

On the marketing side, Infront handles Bobsleigh and Skeleton’s top-tier sponsorship programme on an exclusive basis – providing brands with valuable opportunities through the sale of a Title and a Main Sponsor package for both the FIBT World Cup and World Championships. 

From 2014/15 onwards, Infront will manage the media production for all FIBT World Cup and World Championship races. The programming will be produced in high definition television (HDTV) quality, ensuring the key criteria of broadcasters are met with the highest quality and technical controls. Further than meeting the production standards from the past, Infront will develop the production from year to year to the satisfaction of the international broadcast partners and federations.

Ivo Ferriani, FIBT President, said: “As a reliable and well-established partner in both a media and marketing capacity, Infront has supported us in driving our sports forward and developing its popularity on a global basis. The Group’s long-standing experience in media production will not only be a gain in efficiency but also a guarantee for consistent quality and progress throughout the period of the contract. We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with the Infront team as we will reach a milestone 25 years of partnership in 2018.”

Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports, said: “We thank the FIBT for its ongoing trust in our full-service capabilities and move into the next cycle of partnership with a clear ambition to add even more value to FIBT stakeholders – be it broadcasters, sponsors or fans. As we provide the FIBT with all key commercial services and consultancy from one central source, we will synergise our experience in all fields, further enhancing the impact of the FIBT World Cup and World Championships.”

A-League’s Melbourne Victory are on the hunt for a new chief executive following the departure of Richard Wilson from the position.

Wilson leaves Victory after two-and-a-half years in the job, during which he had returned the club to stability, following the tumultuous period when the club two coaches in one season before appointing Ange Postecoglou.

Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro said Wilson left the club in a very positive position.

“Richard led the restructuring of the management team and the football department, including the appointment of Ange Postecoglou, and a reinvigorated playing list of existing and new footballers, that continues to be Australia’s most successful A-League club,” Di Pietro said.

“Richard also stabilised the financial performance of the club, setting up solid foundations for future success.Richard was also instrumental in bringing Liverpool FC to Melbourne – an enormous coup for the club.”

England legend Michael Owen has joined Soccerex as a global ambassador on a 3 year deal which will see him play an active role in Soccerex’s future events.

After retiring from an incredible career which saw him play for the likes of Liverpool, order Real Madrid and Manchester United, pills Michael has already begun life after football by joining BT Sport as the co-commentator for the channel’s football coverage. He will also continue his role within the game through setting up Michael Owen Management Limited, herbal a management company which will focus on guiding young players through their careers.

Fresh from his appearance at the Soccerex European Forum in April, Owen joins a prestigious list of Soccerex Ambassadors which includes Neymar, Lucas Moura, Ossie Ardiles, Eusébio, Gary Neville, Bryan Robson, Phil Thompson and Carlos Alberto Torres.

Speaking on the announcement, Owen said: “After entering the business side of the game it is important to be able to network and meet with the global football industry, which is what Soccerex is all about. I’m looking forward to playing an active role in their events in the future and meeting new people in the industry.”

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie said: “To have someone of Michael’s stature representing Soccerex on the world stage is a huge honour for us. His reputation within the game is second to none and we’re looking forward to working alongside him as he enters the next chapter of his career within football.”

The Soccerex Global Convention is a 5-day event which begins with the iconic Football Festival held on the golden sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro which will see a number of Soccerex ambassadors involved. The two-day event, played within a purpose built arena, brings together some the most talented upcoming stars and former football legends to help mark the launch of the Global Convention.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)208 987 5522 or visit http://www.soccerex.com/global

Despite an ongoing legal dispute over the future of London’s Olympic Stadium. UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson has insisted that London can lodge a successful bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships.

English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur is taking legal action in an effort to launch a judicial review of the decision to award the Olympic Stadium to rival London club West Ham United after the 2012 Games.

The doubts for the 2017 World Championships remain because whilst West Ham has pledged to retain a running track around the pitch at the stadium, Tottenham plan to remove the track as part of a wider redevelopment of the site, meaning the stadium would not be used for athletics after the 2012 Games has concluded.

Robertson said:”I have become increasingly confident that we can make a bid – I would say the chances are more than 50-50.

“The Government guarantees are done. There seems to be a desire among those in international athletics to see the championships come to London. I have to be able to look at the IAAF in the eye and give them certainty that we can deliver the stadium. We are working very hard on dealing with the legal issues – the best thing of course would be for Tottenham to withdraw their judicial review bid, and I believe this can be resolved.”

Leading computer software giant Microsoft has been unveiled as the exclusive operating system software supplier of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, the Games’ organising committee announced yesterday, June 16.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, Microsoft Russia president Nikolai Pryanishnikov and Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International, were joined at the signing ceremony by Sochi organising committee president and CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Chernyshenko stated: “The agreement with Microsoft is very important because the company has specific experience of having co-operated with the organising committee of the Beijing Olympic Games,” adding on Twitter: “Together with Microsoft we will continue to work on an innovative technological legacy for the Games.”

In other news, Chernyshenko told the Financial Times that Sochi, which is undergoing a huge redevelopment program ahead of the Games, is to be transformed into “a model city” in Russia. He added: “There are so many things happening, not only in the region, but on the national level…that would never happen if Sochi didn’t host the games.

“The state leaders consider the big social and sport events as catalysts to accelerate the process of redeveloping the country’s environment and the economy. We are redeveloping the entire region. This is not just infrastructure for the competition. This is roads, power stations, sewage works. It will mean a better living standard for the people who live there.”

International basketball’s governing body FIBA has announced a partnership with ABC for the Australian broadcaster to air the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA World Championship for Women on ABC2, thumb the first time the event has been showcased on free-to-air television.

In a landmark agreement between FIBA – basketball’s governing body – and ABC Sport, pills all Boomers and Opals games will be televised LIVE* AND IN FULL, order free-to-air on ABC2 starting from Sunday August 31.

Additionally ALL games from the quarter final stage through to the final of both the FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA World Championship for Women will be LIVE.

ABC TV Sport and Events Executive Producer Kirsty Bradmore said ABC was proud to bring these truly international sporting events to Australian households.

“In an Australian television first, ABC TV is thrilled to broadcast both the Men’s FIBA World Cup and Women’s FIBA World Championships LIVE on free-to-air television,” Bradmore said.

“ABC2 looks forward to bringing sport fans the best basketball on the planet as Australia’s Boomers and Opals take on the rest of the world.”

“In a huge coup, ABC2 will also broadcast LIVE all the men’s Team USA games on free-to-air television.”

Basketball Australia Chair Scott Derwin said to have both tournaments on free-to-air television was a major boost to basketball fans and the Australian sporting public.

“The FIBA Basketball World Cup and FIBA World Championship for Women are the biggest events in world basketball and to have them on free-to-air television across Australia is a significant coup,” Derwin said.

“It is very exciting times for the Australian Boomers and Jayco Australian Opals, and now all sports fans will be able to watch every moment of the journey live on ABC2.”

“The ABC has been a long-time supporter of basketball in this country and this amazing commitment in a world championship year further enhances the network’s reputation as the home of basketball in Australia.”

The ABC’s coverage of the Boomers road to Spain for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup begins tonight with the first game of the 2014 Sino-Australia Challenge against China on ABC2 at 10:30pm.

FIBA World Cup LIVE from Spain, Sunday August 31 to Sunday September 14. Women’s Basketball World Championships LIVE from Turkey, Saturday September 27 to Monday, October 6.

Tim May has left his position as chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) barely a month after he controversially lost his position on the ICC cricket committee to Laxman Sivaramakrishnan.

The former Australia Test spinner, who has been a FICA member for 16 years and chief since 2005, said he was tired of battling an Indian-dominated ICC board.

“Cricket increasingly seems to be pushing aside the principles of transparency, accountability, independence and upholding the best interests of the global game, in favour of a system that appears to operate through threats, intimidation and back-room deals,” he said in a statement.

“The players deserve better.

“Increasingly, the administrators of the game seek to force out or alienate those who question its alleged misuse of power, or those who seek greater transparency, or provide rational argument against the ills of the administration.

“It appears that some administrators just don’t want to be held to account to the standards that are expected of them … the current system is failing us.”

England skipper Alastair Cook paid tribute to May, saying: “Tim has been a great servant of the game, and current players have reason to be very grateful for his hard work and advocacy on our behalf.”

UK Athletics are putting together a bid to host the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium despite the doubts that over its immediate future after the Olympics.

The bid, which will be led by London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe, will have the full backing of the UK Government and Mayor of London, UK Athletics claimed.

Coe will lead a number of organisations UK Athletics, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), UK Sport and London & Partners, the London Mayor’s promotional agency. 

The double Olympic gold medallist will personally submit the bid at this year’s IAAF World Athletics Championships in Daegu and a decision is expected in Monte Carlo on November 12, where Doha and an unnamed Spanish city, probably Barcelona, will also be contenders.

“The IAAF and the athletics family have been unwavering in their support for an Olympic legacy and played a crucial role in securing it,” said Coe, a member of the IAAF’s ruling Council. 

“A successful bid will be our opportunity to say thank you for that constant support by delivering a fantastic IAAF World Championships in London that will help drive more young people in to the sport.”

UK Athletics have committed to the bid despite the fact that Tottenham Hotspur and Leyton Orient are disputing the decision earlier this year to award the Olympic Stadium after London 2012 to West Ham United. Tottenham are looking for a review on the matter.

After the British Olympic Association (BOA) announced an historic ‘landmark’ in supposedly securing the inclusion of a Team GB soccer squad at next year’s Olympics, including players from all four home nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Celtic nations reacted furiously to the claims, saying no such agreement had been reached.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s football associations (FAs) all refuted the suggestion that they would allow their national team players to compete alongside those from England at the London 2012 Olympics after the BOA issued a press statement claiming that agreement had been reached to field teams in both the men’s and women’s soccer competitions.

This lead the 3 Celtic nations to release a joint response rejecting any such agreement and insisting that they all remained opposed to the idea of a Team GB at next year’s Games.

Despite their objections, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have no legal means of preventing players from the home nations being selected, meaning that players such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey of Wales, who have both made their desire to appear at the tournament clear, could line up alongside English counterparts in 2012.

The BOA revealed that, under a formula that places the emphasis for agreeing availability on individuals rather than the national associations, players will have to confirm their availability “following discussions with their respective professional clubs and Home Associations”.

Squads of 18 will be selected next year, with 15 of the men’s players required to be under 23. The FA has already said no players involved in the 2012 European Championships will be available.

The BOA’s statement said that the FA, as the “designated national governing body for Olympic football”, had agreed a deal that would allow the squads to be selected from all four home nations.

Through Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan, the Celtic nations quickly responded, stating: “The football associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland reiterate our collective opposition to Team GB participation at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, contrary to the media release issued by the British Olympic Association today.

“This announcement came completely out of the blue. There is no ‘historic agreement’, no endorsement of Team GB, and as far as I am aware this has been done without the backing of the home associations.”

BOA chief executive Andy Hunt has remained insistent, despite the claims otherwise, that a deal has been struck and that British fans will get the extremely rare chance to see players from all four nations play alongside one another.

US broadcaster ESPN and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced a one-year agreement today that will have ESPN broadcast nine NWSL games this season.

ESPN 2 will air three regular season games, find both semifinal matches, and the NWSL championship, while three other regular season games will be aired on the network’s online streaming service, ESPN3.

“We are very excited to announce our new agreement with ESPN,” NWSL executive director Cheryl Bailey said in a statement. “In the midst of our second season, we are striving to provide our fans with improved access to our league matches and airing our games on ESPN2 and ESPN3 will give us a broader platform to expose fans to the amazing caliber of women’s soccer in the NWSL. We also hope to create new fans who will appreciate the amazing athletes and personalities in our league.” 

Of the regular season matches airing, three will be hosted by Portland Thorns FC, two by the Houston Dash and one by the Western New York Flash. Teams that will not have their games on air unless they make the playoffs are the Chicago Red Stars, FC Kansas City and the Washington Spirit.

“This agreement with the NWSL represents ESPN’s continued commitment to soccer and to top level women’s sports,” ESPN senior VP of programming Scott Guglielmino said in a statement. “We are excited to showcase this new league and feature some of the best female soccer players in the world leading in to the 2015 FIFA World Cup.”