Major League Baseball (MLB) have signed a European broadcast deal with FOX International Channels (FIC), abortion a division of 21st Century Fox, for the network to televise a surplus of live MLB games in over 30 countries across Europe.  

FIC begins its new MLB partnership with the 2013 World Series, featuring the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals, airing live in multiple markets.

The new agreement grants FIC the rights to distribute all MLB games, including: the regular season; the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby; the Wild Card match ups; the Divisional Series; the League Championship Series; and the World Series.  In addition, the deal gives FIC rights to a number of classic MLB games, as well as ancillary programming from both MLB and FOX.  MLB games and programming will be distributed on FIC’s channels throughout the territory across its various television outlets and platforms.

“The relationship with Fox International Channels allows us to expand our relationship with Fox and is an exciting development for our business in Europe,” said Paul Archey, Senior Vice President of International Business Operations, Major League Baseball.  “This deal exemplifies the growing popularity of baseball across Europe and will provide increased access to telecasts for our many passionate fans.”

This agreement with Major League Baseball International is the latest in series of recent deals struck by FOX International Channels to acquire multi-territory rights to premier sports properties. 

“FIC’s new partnership with Major League Baseball International underscores our strategy to build a premier sports rights portfolio that we can leverage across multiple territories on our different TV channels distributed in Europe,” said Diego Londoño, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of FOX international Channels Europe& Africa. “We look forward to continuing to create value for our distributors and viewers throughout the world.”

FOX International Channel’s ongoing global expansion into sports now reaches over 71 million homes in Latin America, South East Asia and Japan and Europe. In Europe, FOX Sports recently launched in the Netherlands and Italy and is also present in Turkey and Cyprus.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Bahamas Football Association and Beach Soccer Worldwide announced today that Bahamas will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 (CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship), May 8-12, at the recently opened beach soccer facility in Nassau.

“We are excited to host the regional qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in The Bahamas,” said CONCACAF President, Jeffrey Webb.  “This rapidly growing sport is of particular relevance for the Caribbean region, given its pristine beach setting and idyllic weather.  We are certain this niche will soon become the region’s staple.”

The winner and runner-up of the competition, which is being hosted for the first time by a Caribbean nation, will qualify directly to the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, September 18-28, at To’ata Stadium in Papeete, Tahiti. 

“The Bahamas Football Association is indeed pleased and honored to have been chosen as the hosts for this year’s Qualifier for CONCACAF,” said Anton Sealey, the President of the Bahamas Football Association.  “We are looking forward to hosting our confederation colleagues at our newly built facility located at Malcolm Park in Nassau on the Island of New Providence.  As the first member in the Caribbean to host the event, we are looking forward to a greater number of participants from the Caribbean, taking advantage of the fact that the competition is being held in the Caribbean.  This we hope will result in more of our Caribbean colleagues promoting this exciting brand of football in their respective associations.”

“Taking the World Cup Qualifier to the Caribbean was a necessary step to take,” said Joan Cusco, vice-president of Beach Soccer Worldwide.  “There’s a huge beach soccer potential in the region and that was the right moment to make it happen.  The Bahamas is a great example of this, as they built an excellent permanent stadium thus proving a strong commitment with the sport and the possibilities it offers.”

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – CONCACAF Qualifier / CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship has been held six times.  Mexico has hosted on four occasions, while Costa Rica and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, staged the event once each.

Leading businessman James Strong has been recruited as the new V8 Supercars chairman on Wednesday as a massive coup for the sport.

The former Qantas chief executive, who recently stepped down as chairman of Woolworths, was appointed to replace long-serving chairman Tony Cochrane.

Strong arrives with a strong background in motorsport as a director of Dorna Sports, which manages MotoGP worldwide, and former Australian Grand Prix Corporation board member.

One of Strong’s immediate goals is to finalise a new media rights deal, which is due to be announced next month and is reportedly valued at about $350 million over five years.

The Australian-based championship currently includes rounds in New Zealand and Abu Dhabi and will enter the United States next year with a round in Austin, Texas.

Four-time champion Jamie Whincup believes Strong needs to look at expanding the current 15-race schedule and particularly examine the possibility of taking the V8 show to the TV-friendly Asian region.

“We do need to finetune our appearances overseas so I think he can go a long way in achieving that,’ said Whincup.

“I wouldn’t mind going up through the Asian countries but probably not get too far away from our time zones so the guys back here in Australia can watch it.

“So draw a line up from Perth and Sydney and there are plenty of Asian countries with awesome tracks that we can visit during the year.”

Strong also arrives as the V8 Supercars championship prepares to enter a new era next year, with traditional rivals Holden and Ford to be joined by teams racing Nissan and Mercedes cars.

“All forms of motorsport are a passion of mine,” Strong, who was appointed as a non-executive chairman, said in a statement.

“V8 Supercars is without doubt the leading motorsport category in this region and a force worldwide.

“The sport is in wonderful shape for the future and I want to play an active part in the next period of evolution. The potential is unlimited.”

Today, 20^th September, the sports sector saw the launch of a new initiative, The Sports Reputation Group, which will offer a ‘one stop shop’ for legal and PR advice on issues surrounding sports brands’ reputations.

The consortium, driven by Gateley’s legal practice, brings together a wealth of experience from within the sporting industry comprising three award-winning specialists:

· Gateley’s legal practice

· David Casement, QC, of Kings Chambers

· ENS, a sports specialist PR agency

John Burns, Partner in Gateley’s Manchester Practice explained ‘When we had the idea of forming the group, we wanted a consortium that represented ‘best in show’ talent. Each of the three members involved knows the other two well so creating an integrated service seemed a very obvious, sensible and exciting step.’

David Casement QC added ‘Each of us has an extensive track record in our relative fields which, when taken as a whole, means there are almost no situations or sports that we haven’t dealt with first hand. This means we are uniquely well placed to advise clients with a lot of authority.’

John Burns concluded, ‘The need for the group’s services is evident when  you consider just how many issues there have been in sport over the past few years – many of which escalated into scandals needlessly. By receiving jointly-given PR and legal advice, our ambition for clients is that they get the best outcome possible, as quickly and as quietly as possible.’

For more information please visit www.thesportsreputationgroup.com

Sepp Blatter, the president of football’s governing body, Fifa, has said it would be ‘easy’ to stage the 2018 World Cup in England.

Fifa delegates are currently in England inspecting its bid on a four-day visit.

Blatter said: “The easiest way to organise the World Cup is to go to England. Everything is there: fans, stadiums, infrastructure – it’s easy.”

British deputy prime minister, Nick Clegg, met the Fifa inspection team yesterday and believes the England bid is ‘unbeatable’.

He said: “I believe this is an exceptionally strong, unbeatable bid. We in this government believe in it, we hope that you will believe in it.

“Our job is to show you we already have the infrastructure and facilities to host a World Cup.”

The inspection team were in London yesterday, and are also due to visit the north-east and north-west during their trip.

The hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will be announced on 2 December.

Universal Sports Network has expanded its coverage of the 118th Boston Marathon that will include Live television and online coverage of the Marathon.

Live race day coverage from Copley Square will also include pre- and post-race shows at 8:30 AM ET and 12:30 PM ET respectively, and a wrap-up show at 4 PM ET.

The network’s exclusive national TV coverage of the world’s oldest annual marathon will showcase an expanded field of 36,000 runners tackling the historic 26.2-mile course, including many of the sport’s elite marathoners and wheelchair racers. In addition to the highly anticipated race, Universal Sports will air a special preview show from the finish line on Boylston Street featuring analysis of the elite field and interviews with participants on Saturday, April 19, at 4 PM ET.

Additional programming will be announced at a later date which extends beyond the elite competition in order to recognize, support and tell the stories of those affected by the tragic events of April 15, 2013.

“The annual Boston Marathon is already one of the most anticipated international events within the running community, and in 2014 the eyes of the world, runners and non-runners alike, will be on the city of Boston. We want to allow the 2014 Boston Marathon to shine for what it is and not be overshadowed by the events of 2013,” said Scott Brown, President of Universal Sports. “Marathons are about perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit, and the 2014 Boston Marathon will be a crowning example of that.”

“We are preparing for an historic weekend both for the City of Boston and for the sport of running,” said Tom Grilk, Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Executive Director. “The B.A.A., our volunteers and runners from around the world are preparing now for next year’s races, and ‘Boston Strong’ will be on full display throughout Patriots’ Day Weekend and from the start in the Town of Hopkinton to the finish on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay. Through the expanded coverage offered by Universal Sports, a national audience will be able to watch an important event in the sports world.”

Universal Sports Network is now available on Time Warner Cable, Cox, Verizon FiOS, satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH and numerous regional cable and IPTV operators in markets across the US.

The resurgent North American Soccer League (NASL) has appointed veteran sports executive Bill Peterson as their new Commissioner.

He will lead the expanding nine-team NASL into a new era of soccer, while establishing the league on the sporting landscape. 

Peterson, who will assume his role immediately, is no stranger to North American soccer having worked closely with MLS teams when he was the Senior Vice President of AEG Sports and Managing Director of the Home Depot Center from 2000 to 2006. Peterson helped oversee the management of numerous MLS teams and the development of soccer-specific stadiums across the country. 

“We conducted a global search and an intense interview process to ensure we selected the right Commissioner for the NASL as we enter this next important growth phase for our league,” commented Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors Aaron Davidson. 

“Bill’s diverse breadth of management experience in the US and abroad at governing bodies, leagues, teams, stadia and one of the leading hospitality companies gives him the ability to lead by example and align everyone’s interests in order to achieve our individual and collective goals.  With Commissioner Peterson, we look forward to accelerating the positive financial results of our existing teams and continuing to usher in new teams in strategic markets with owners who embrace our vision and have the wherewithal to succeed at the highest possible level.” 

Peterson said: “There is an opportunity here to cement the NASL as a league that can thrive and expand while providing compelling soccer for the game’s fans. 

“The roots of the NASL triggered a soccer explosion in North American in the 1970s and I am delighted to be leading this new chapter as we take the league and its teams forward into an exciting future.” 

As Peterson becomes the league’s next Commissioner, one of the iconic teams of the early days of the NASL, the New York Cosmos, will return to the league in 2013 and future expansion teams have been announced for Virginia and the Canadian capital Ottawa. The league is poised to announce season-openers for the 2013 season when the Tampa Bay Rowdies will defend the NASL title having dramatically defeated Minnesota Stars FC on penalty kicks to lift the 2012 championship. 

Most recently Peterson provided advisory and event services to a variety of clients in Canada and the United States through his own firm Solve4. Peterson is the Chairman of the USA Cycling Board of Directors and a member of the USPRO Cycling Board of Trustees and served briefly as COO of the UFL. 

He was the Executive Vice President of Centerplate, the North American market leader for managing food and beverage, retail, restaurant, and events in sports facilities, convention centers, and entertainment complexes. He spent six years working with a variety of teams, facilities and sporting events while Senior Vice President at AEG in Los Angeles. Peterson spent almost a decade working for the National Football League where he became the President of NFL Europe having been the General Manager of the league’s Amsterdam Admirals.

Soccerex is excited to announce the participation of Globo’s Executive Director Marcelo Campos Pinto, Sky Deutschland’s Chief Officer Sports Carsten Schmidt and ITV’s Controller of Sport Niall Sloane in the ‘Future of Sports Rights’ panel as part of the Soccerex Global Convention, Rio de Janeiro, 24-28 November.

The ‘Future of Sports Rights’ panel will address the digital advancements that are reshaping the way media rights are packaged and delivered. The panel will bring together rights holders, broadcasters, service providers and other media stakeholders for an exclusive session looking at the potential challenges faced and the benefits to be gained for everyone involved.

As Executive Director of the largest TV network in Brazil and Latin America and third largest in the world, Marcelo Campos Pinto has a vast amount of experience in the media industry. His role as a member of the FIFA Media Commission and the significant part he will play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup^TM and 2016 Olympics make him one of the most important media stakeholders in the world of football.

Niall Sloane, a former footballer for Sheffield Wednesday, has been at the forefront of British sport broadcasting for the past 20 years. He became ITV’s Controller of Sport in 2009 overseeing ITV Sport’s coverage of events including the FA Cup, England internationals, the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup.

Carsten Schmidt is a renowned expert in the world of football media and broadcasting. He was appointed Chief Officer Sports and New Business at Sky Deutschland in 2006 and later on Chief Officer Sports, Advertising Sales and Internet. He is responsible for editorial work, production of sports programming, sports rights purchasing and all of the company’s online activities.

Commenting on his participation at the Soccerex Global Convention, Marcelo Campos Pinto said:

“I am very excited to be speaking once again at the Soccerex Global Convention, unquestionably the world’s leading football business event. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup^TM and 2016 Olympics coming to Brazil, this event is an important step in determining the future for sports rights in the Brazilian market.”

The Soccerex Global Convention is a five day business event consisting of a comprehensive seminar line-up, a number of networking opportunities, a two-day football festival and a packed exhibition which is already close to selling out.

Held in a purpose-built venue within the Forte de Copacabana, with panoramic views of both the famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the exhibition is a hub for business activity; as one of the main components of the convention it provides a platform for leading suppliers from around the world to showcase the latest industry products and services to delegates.

For further information about this event please call +44 (0)208742 7100 or visit www.soccerex.com/global

The finalists of the inaugural Football Business Awards, help recognising excellence and effectiveness in the business of football have been announced.

Best Club Marketing Campaign in the UK – Sponsored by Kitbag

Finalists

• Arsenal Media Group
• Aston Villa FC
• Everton FC
• Manchester City FC
• Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

Best Business Serving Football – up to £2m turnover – Sponsored by Stream UK

Finalists

• Stadium Experience
• The Aspire Group / Coventry FC
• Quest for Future Solutions /
  Manchester United’s Environmental Management Action Group (EMAG)
• Freestyle Football Federation
• Piglets Pantry – Brighton & Hove Albion FC
• defibshop.co.uk
• Statsports Technologies

Best use of Social Media in Football – Sponsored by Sports Revolution

Finalists

• Arsenal Media Group
• Manchester City FC
• StreamUK
• The Football Association
• We R Interactive
• Opta
• WhoScored.com (Next-Game)
• Samsung Electronics

Best Match Day Catering

Finalists

• Aston Villa FC
• Chelsea FC
• Azure
• Elior
• Lindley Venue Catering

Best / Most Innovative use of Technology by Clubs – Sponsored by Agilysys

Finalists

• Stream UK / Liverpool FC
• FC Internazionale Milano
• Fortress GB / Brighton FC
• Imagineear / Arsenal FC
• Manchester City FC

Best / Most Innovative use of Technology (Football Business) – Sponsored by Agilysys Agile Bi

Finalists

• Atlas Premium Brands
• Upshot
• Performa Sports
• Cavendish Imaging
• Teamer
• Prozone Sports
• WhoScored.com (Next-Game)

Best Club Community Scheme

Finalists

• The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation
• QPR in the Community Trust
• Everton in the Community
• Wolves Community Trust
• Albion In The Community
• Saints Foundation

Best Corporate Social Responsibility Scheme

Finalists

• FC Internazionale Milano
• Barclays Spaces for Sports & The Football Foundation
• Standard Chartered Bank / Liverpool FC
• Manchester City FC
• Football Foundation

Venue Team of the Year – Sponsored by Arena Seating

Finalists

• Aston Villa FC
• The American Express Community Stadium – Brighton FC
• Chelsea FC
• Stadium of Light – Sunderland FC

Best Club Marketing Campaign Overseas – JSP Jordan Sports Partnerships

Finalists

• Colorado Rapids Soccer Club
• Coritiba FC
• FC Internazionale Milano
• SpecialOne / FC Zenit
• Club Brugge
•  

Best Business Serving Football – over £2m turnover – Sponsored by isportconnect

Finalists

• Continental Tyre Group
• Harvey & Son (Lewis)
• Kitbag
• Lindley Venue Catering
• Prozone Sports
• StreamUK

Best Professional Service Business Serving Football

Finalists

• KSS Design Group
• Pinsent Masons
• redboxdesign group
• Turner Construction Company
• Walker Morris

Best Retail / Merchandise Initiative – Sponsored by sportbusiness

Finalists

• Aston Villa FC
• ATB Games
• Brighton & Hove Albion FC
• Lindley Venue Catering
• MOC Games
• Randers FC / Loyal Solutions

Club Sponsorship / Partnership of the Year

Finalists

• American Express / Brighton & Hove Albion FC
• Aston Villa FC / Macron
• Circle Agency: Manchester City FC / EA Sports
• Samsung Electronics / Swindon FC
• UCFB (University College of Football Business) / Burnley FC
• Wolverhampton Wanderers FC / LaSer UK

Sponsorship / Partnership of the Year (Football Business)

Finalists

• ESPN / Budweiser
• The FA / Mars
• Vauxhall / Carat Sponsorship
• Barclays Spaces for Sports & The Football Foundation

The Football Business Awards ceremony will be held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on November 8^th and is designed to recognise the essential role that business plays in football, bronchi | the positive impact of football on the community and vital role played by the businesses which serve the game. The awards are open to clubs and to any business connected to football. To book tables to the event go to the website at http://footballbusinessawards.com/booking.html