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British & Irish Lions Appoint Bird & Bird Sports Law Specialist as Legal Officer

Bird & Bird sports law specialist Max Duthie has been appointed by the British and Irish Lions rugby union team as legal officer for their 2013 tour to Australia.

Duthie, who is a partner in the firm’s sports practice, will be mainly responsive for advising the Lions players on rugby disciplinary matters.

Previous roles include acting for the International Rugby Board, Six Nations, the European Rugby Cup, Celtic Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union as well as various clubs and players.

Before starting a career in law, Duthie played professional rugby union in England and France.

British Lions Limited chief executive John Feehan commented: “Few lawyers know the rugby union disciplinary process as well as Max does, and his presence in the tour party will give the players and management considerable confidence. And as an ex-player, I know he will fit in well to the tour party.”

Duthie said: “I hope that I can do my bit to help make the tour a success, and it will be a real pleasure to work alongside some of the world’s best players, coaches, management and support staff.”

The Lions are set to play nine matches in Australia next summer, including matches against the five Australian Super Rugby teams and test matches against the Qantas Wallabies. The team will also play against the Barbarians in Hong Kong.

Earlier this year Duthie was selected as one of nineteen individual advocates, and one of four solicitors, appointed to the pro bono legal advice and representation service for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

12 Sports Broadcasting Deals of the Week: 19/10/12

1	Fox Agree Broadcasting Deal to Air Kansas State College Sports	Friday, capsule 19 October 2012
2	Exclusive: Ten Sports Looking to Get Premier League Rights	Friday, 19 October 2012
3	Prime Gets Champions League in Moldova Until 2015	Friday, 19 October 2012
4	iStream Gets India Rights to Brasileirão Série A	Friday, 19 October 2012
5	NeuLion to Show High School Sports after MSG Varsity Deal	Friday, 19 October 2012
6	TuneIn Signs Premier League Distribution Deal with talkSPORT	Friday, 19 October 2012
7	Eurosport Gets Pan European Rights to Chinese Super League	Thursday, 18 October 2012
8	TF1 Gets Broadcast Rights to 2015 Rugby World Cup	Wednesday, 17 October 2012
9	British Basketball League Inks New Sky Sports Deal	Tuesday, 16 October 2012
10	Fox to Broadcast Nascar Until 2022 after Major Extension	Monday, 15 October 2012
11	NBC Replaces Speed TV as F1 Broadcaster in US	Monday, 15 October 2012
12	Asian Le Mans Series Gets Two New Broadcast Partners	Monday, 15 October 2012

Wales looks to host more major sporting events

Wales’ deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has said talks have begun over the possibility of Cardiff hosting the Uefa Champions League Final.

The announcement comes with the launch of the country’s first Major Events Strategy yesterday. The Strategy aims to build on opportunities which may arise from Newport staging this year’s Ryder Cup golf tournament, and Wales is now looking to host other major sporting events in the future.

Wyn Jones said: “Wales is now delivering the Ryder Cup on behalf of a continent and going forward we will work with Welsh, UK and International federations to realise the huge untapped potential that remains in other sporting events as well as in artistic and cultural genres.

“The Rugby World Cup in 1999 got the ball rolling and our partners at Wales Rugby Union and the Millennium Stadium are now the custodians of one of the most dramatic, versatile and enjoyable major events locations in the world.”

Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium hosted six FA Cup finals between 2001 and 2006 and will host Olympic football as part of the 2012 London Games.

Phoenix Coyotes Announces FOX Sports Arizona as Local Television Partner

National Hockey League franchise Phoenix Coyotes have announced a new long-term television rights agreement with FOX Sports that will keep FOX Sports Arizona as Coyotes’ exclusive local television partner well into the next decade.

Under the new agreement, FOX Sports Arizona and FOX Sports Arizona Plus will televise 70 Coyotes regular season Coyotes games during the 2013-14 season, reaching over 2.5 million cable and satellite households throughout Arizona and New Mexico. FOX Sports Arizona has been the Coyotes television partner since the team’s inaugural season in 1996. Last season, the Coyotes TV ratings on FOX Sports Arizona were up 116 percent over the 2011-12 season and this season, they are up 70% over ratings for the last full length NHL regular season.

“We are very pleased to renew our partnership with FOX Sports Arizona,” said Coyotes President and CEO Anthony LeBlanc. “This new agreement will provide the Coyotes with multiple platforms to promote our team and our brand on Arizona’s premier sports network for many years to come. We look forward to FOX Sports Arizona providing our fans with outstanding Coyotes coverage all season. This extension further solidifies the long-term future of the Coyotes franchise in the Valley.”

“FOX Sports Arizona has been with the Phoenix Coyotes since they arrived in Arizona and we look forward to showcasing this new era of Coyotes hockey,” said Brian Hogan, FOX Sports Arizona Senior Vice President and General Manager. “This agreement continues our standing as the Coyotes’ local television home and destination fans turn to first for the most comprehensive coverage of the Coyotes.”

FOX Sports Arizona will broadcast 70 games, with 47 games on FOX Sports Arizona and 23 games on its FOX Sports Arizona Plus channel. Combined, the two channels will televise 38 Coyotes home games and 32 of the team’s road games. A complete list of games and channels is listed below. Information on channel locations for FOX Sports Arizona Plus can be found at FoxSportsArizona.com and PhoenixCoyotes.com.

“We are very proud to announce that for the first time in franchise history, all 82 Coyotes games will be televised in our market on FOX Sports Arizona, KTVK and NBC Sports Network,” added LeBlanc. “The Coyotes are off to an impressive 12-4-2 start and we hope that all the hockey fans in the Valley will continue to tune in to watch our exciting team.”

Bill Beaumont & Paul Deighton Appointed to England Rugby 2015 Board

RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont and Paul Deighton, former CEO of the London 2012 organising committee, have been appointed to the Board of the England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015), the Rugby World Cup 2015 organising body.

The appointment of two highly-experienced and respected sporting leaders is another major boost for the tournament as it approaches the 1,000 days to go landmark. England 2015 is on track to deliver millions of opportunities to engage sports fans the length and breadth of the country and around the world through a mouth-watering celebration of world-class Rugby and England’s rich culture and heritage.

The pair will add further Rugby experience and business acumen, major event organisation and influence in the national and international sporting and political landscapes to the Board, which oversees the delivery of an event that is one of the largest and most recognisable sporting events in the world.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The appointment of Beaumont and Deighton – exceptionally high-calibre and experienced individuals – to the ER 2015 Board further underscores the shared commitment with Rugby World Cup Limited to deliver an exceptional Rugby World Cup that England and the global Rugby family will be proud of.”

“Bill Beaumont is steeped in Rugby World Cup knowledge, having served as a Rugby World Cup Limited Director for four years in the planning and delivery of an exceptional New Zealand 2011 tournament and will bring great experience and vision. As Chief Executive of LOCOG, Paul Deighton had overall responsibility for delivering the biggest most successful sporting event in Britain and his vast major event experience, alongside Debbie Jevans, further enhances our vision of delivering a phenomenal sporting event that will engage new audiences the length and breadth of England and beyond through its values of passion, solidarity and fun.”

“This exciting announcement is yet another boost to a tournament that is on track to raise the Rugby World Cup bar and is a fitting way to round off a year that started with the beginning of the global qualification process and culminated with unprecedented interest and excitement around the recent Pool Allocation Draw, a major landmark for fans around the world as they look forward to what promises to be a wonderful Rugby World Cup.”

RFU and Six Nations Chairman and former England captain Beaumont adds extensive knowledge and experience to the Board. A former RWCL Director and current IRB Council Member for England, his appointment further strengthens ER 2015’s relationship with domestic and international governing bodies. In addition to his passion and commitment to the Game he is also heavily involved in charity work as Vice President of the Lancashire Association of Youth Clubs, SPARKS, the Lord Taverners and Honorary President of the Rugby charity Wooden Spoon.

As Chief Executive Officer of LOCOG, Deighton had overall responsibility for the delivery of London 2012. As well as leading the day-to-day operations of LOCOG, he was responsible for raising the £2 billion budget from the private sector and managing relationships with Government and its agencies, the Mayor of London, the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association and other organisations with an interest in the Games. Previously, he was European Chief Operating Officer for Goldman Sachs, and a member of its European Management Committee. He was created a life peer on November 1, 2012 as Baron Deighton of Carshalton and in January 2013 he starts his role as Commercial Secretary to HM Treasury.

“I am very excited to be part of a home Rugby World Cup in 2015 and I will work tirelessly with my fellow Board members and the executive of ER 2015 to ensure that we deliver a World Cup of which the whole country can be proud,” said Beaumont.

Deighton added: “Everyone recognises that the London Olympics and Paralympics have set a high benchmark for international sports events that follow. I want to bring the knowledge and experience gleaned from my time with LOCOG to help ensure that the organisation, delivery and feel-good factor of the Rugby World Cup in 2015 is right up there with London 2012.”

Beaumont and Deighton’s appointment builds on the strong mix of skills and Rugby and major sports event experience within the Board which comprises: Andy Cosslett, ER 2015 Chairman and Chief Executive Fitness First; Debbie Jevans, ER 2015 Chief Executive; Ian Metcalfe, Chairman of the Professional Game Board; Ian Watmore, former Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office and Government’s Chief Operating Officer; Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Executive; Stephen Brown, RFU Chief Financial Officer; Geoff Irvine, Chairman of the RFU Championship and RFU Council Member and Quentin Smith, Chairman of Premiership Rugby.

“England Rugby 2015 continues to draw on the best of London 2012 talent while ensuring that rugby remains at the heart of the organisation. We are very pleased that Bill Beaumont and Paul Deighton will be adding their considerable experience and expertise to the ER 2015 board,” said Cosslett.

Rugby Expo announces day one workshop programme

Friday 19^th October – Following on from the recent announcement which saw some of the biggest names from the commercial world of sport confirm their involvement in Rugby Expo 2012, prescription a full workshop programme for day one of the event has now been confirmed.

The workshop programme will run throughout the day, providing delegates with opportunities to engage with and learn from industry experts who will be sharing their skills and experiences in a series of focused sessions.

This year’s workshop programme is as follows:

Workshop 1.1: Ticketing strategies and ticket pricing to deliver sales – a focus on dynamic ticketing and other innovations

Led by Derek Palmer, International MD, Tickets.com with case studies from clients and suppliers

Workshop 1.2: Digital fan engagement – hosted by Opta

Angus McNab, head of professional rugby and sales manager, Opta

Jon Reay, digital strategy director, Aqueduct

Workshop 1.3: Promotion, relegation and the implementation of minimum standards

Trevor Watkins, partner, Pinsent Masons LLP

Tony Rowe OBE, chief executive, Exeter Chiefs

Gary Hetherington, chief executive, Leeds Rugby

Geoff Irvine, Chairman, Bedford Blues & Championship clubs and Board Director, ER2015

Workshop 2.1: Intelligent & creative marketing of clubs with limited budgets

Simon Marjoram, managing director, Bamboo Marketing Communications

Workshop 2.2: A partnership approach to sponsorship – Lions case study

Charle McEwen, director of sales and marketing, British & Irish Lions

Giles Morgan, global head of sponsorship and events, HSBC

Mark Cameron, global brand experience director, Land Rover

Workshop 2.3: Digital & social media: a look at the digital landscape through a sports lawyer’s eyes

Nick White, partner, Couchmans LLP

Workshop 3.1: Synthetic turf in the professional game

Steve Griffiths, head of technical services, International Rugby Board

Simon Winman, head of funding and facilities, Rugby Football Union

Workshop 3.2: Converting ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ into £’s – the power of social media

Agency TBC

Workshop 3.3: Professional players: How can rugby safeguard the welfare of the game’s biggest asset?

David Barnes, rugby manager, Rugby Players’ Association

Omar Hassanein, chief executive, Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association

The full conference and workshop programme for day two of Rugby Expo will be announced next week.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Jonathan Wilson, event director for Rugby Expo, said: “This year the conference programme is one of the event’s best ever, with a fantastic list of speakers, main stage debates and focused workshops to provide delegates with a wealth of knowledge and insight into many of rugby’s key issues.

“We’ve already received excellent feedback regarding the conference programme for day one and look forward to releasing day two’s content next week.”

NBC Sports Ink StubHub Ticketing Deal

NBC Sports Digital has secured a multi-year agreement with StubHub with the ticketing property becoming the exclusive ticket provider of NBC Sports Digital properties.

As part of the deal, apoplectic the partnership integrates direct links to StubHub across 12 NBC Sports Digital websites, ambulance including NBCSports.com, NBC Sports Talk Blogs, Rotoworld.com and select NBC Sports Regional Networks sites, providing fans with an easy, safe and guaranteed place to buy and sell tickets. Participating NBC Sports Regional Networks include CSNBayArea.com, CSNCalifornia.com, CSNWashington.com, CSNBaltimore.com, and SNY.tv.

“We are thrilled to partner with NBC Sports to offer their users an easy way to find the broadest and best selection of tickets to the games they want to go to,” said StubHub’s Geoff Lester, managing director, partnerships and business development. “NBC Sports has incredible content and tremendous reach and aligning with a brand like NBC is exciting for us.”

StubHub will benefit from the NBC Sports Digital’s partnership with Yahoo! Sports, which makes the Yahoo! Sports-NBC Sports Network the most-trafficked digital sports destination on the web.

“We are pleased to provide our growing visitor-base with as much value as possible, and for sports fans that includes easy access to tickets,” said Troy Ewanchyna, Vice President, Business Development and Digital Strategies, NBC Sports Group. “StubHub is the world’s largest ticket marketplace, and our visitors will benefit from the seamless transition from our site to theirs.”

Noel Le Graet Re-Elected French Football Federation President

French Football Federation have re-elected Noel Le Graet as their President in a landslide victory.

The 71-year-old, who took over from Fernand Duchaussoy last year, secured 83% of the votes to comfortably beat candidates Francois Ponthieu and Eric Thomas.

Le Graet admitted he was surprised by the margin of his win, with Ponthieu gathering the second largest number of votes at 13%.

However, he quickly turned his attention to Euro 2016, which will be staged in France. “You never know the result beforehand,” he was quoted as saying on the FFF’s official website.

“I remember it was a close vote 18 months ago when I was elected. Now the result can be used to reflect the number of friends in this room.

“I did not expect 83%, but it gives me confidence for the next four years.

“We now look ahead to Euro 2016. It is four years away but it will demand a lot of time from the Federation.

“I will appoint people and teams will get to work quickly. We really want this to be an opportunity for all French people to recognise themselves in football.”

Tottenham, Sunderland, SABC and Primedia to speak at Soccerex African Forum

Soccerex is delighted to announce a host of new international speakers for the inaugural Soccerex African Forum, denture 23-24 October.

Footballing legend John Barnes and South African Minister of Sports Fikile Mbalula will be joined at the opening ceremony by the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize and the MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mrs. Sibhidla-Saphetha, who will officially open the Forum and welcome the attendees.

In an exclusive Soccerex session, a host of leading industry figures will be speaking on ‘Sponsoring the National Game’, which will look at the benefits and challenges for clubs, nations and companies who decide to sponsor African football. Lined up to speak are Stanley Matthews, Sport and Commercial Director for Africa, SuperSport; Mike Farnan, International and National Marketing Director, Sunderland FC; Tracey Keenan, Head of Global Partnerships at Tottenham Hotspur FC; Sizwe Nzimande, Head of Sport, SABC; David Sidenberg, Partner Sponsorship Strategy & Rights Commercialisation, BMI Sport Info; Lyndon Barends, CEO, Primedia Sport.

On another session, Premier League Head of Public Affairs Tim Vine, Special Olympics CEO Annemarie van Wieringen and Vision RSM Director Creesen Naicker will look at the important relationship between football and CSR, highlighting their individual projects on the continent.

In a special managers’ session, Ted Dumitru, former South Africa manager and current Technical Director at Soccer Institute at NW University, will join another former South Africa manager and 1996 AFCON winner Clive Barker, to discuss the challenges faced by national sides coaches and what can be done to encourage more African managers to take up coaching.

You can see a full conference programme for the inaugural Soccerex African Forum here.

The first Soccerex African Forum will feature a detailed conference programme with some of the biggest names in football, with a packed exhibition and a programme of networking events which will build on the business legacy of Soccerex’s three year stay in South Africa (2007-2009) for the Global Convention and help develop the legacy of 2010 FIFA World Cup^TMacross Africa.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)20 8987 5522 or visit http://www.soccerex.com/events/africa/

BT Sport Pays £897 Million for Exclusive Champions League & Europa League UK Broadcast Rights

BT Sport have stunned the UK sport broadcast market by securing exclusive media rights to the UEFA Champions League & UEFA Europa League for £897 million.

This is the first time a single UK broadcaster has won the exclusive live rights to all matches from both tournaments and follows BT’s entrance in the broadcast market through the securing of Premier League rights.

BT will showcase 350 matches from both tournaments usurping both BSkyB and ITV who has previously held the rights in the UK. The rights run for three seasons from 2015/16 and BT will pay around £299 million a season for the rights.

BT has also announced it will show a selection of these new matches for free on BT Sport, even to homes that have not signed up to the channels. Each participating British team will feature for free at least once each season. The finals of each tournament will be showcased in this fashion along with a selection of top matches from earlier rounds.

Gavin Patterson, BT chief executive, said today: “I am thrilled that BT Sport will be the only place where fans can enjoy all the live action from the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. Both tournaments are world class and firm favourites with many. The live rights will give a major boost to BT Sport and give people yet another reason to take our terrific service.” “BT Sport has got off to a strong start with customers enjoying what we have to offer. We have attracted millions of customers by giving sport back to the fans, and we can assure people who want to catch all the action, that European football will be far more accessible and affordable with BT.”

Commenting on the award of rights, Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA Marketing Director, said: “UEFA is delighted to welcome newcomer BT Sport to the family of UEFA Champions League rights holders. Since its launch in the summer, BT Sport has been UEFA’s partner for the UEFA Europa League and has demonstrated its ability to deliver premium sports coverage. We look forward to working with BT Sport on both competitions in the 2015-18 rights cycle.”

The rights are expected to drive additional growth in BT Consumer revenue and profits over the medium-term. BT will pay a deposit of around £60m in November 2013 followed by six-monthly instalments commencing July 2015.

BSkyB Shares Plummet

Following the news, shares of BSkyB dropped more than 9% with £1.4 billion lost from the stock market value.

ITV’s were down 3% after BT revealed an exclusive £897m three-year deal with European governing body Uefa to broadcast all 350 fixtures from 2015. BT shares were 2% lower.

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