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.”

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.”

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^TM across Africa.

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

Triathlon Ireland’s Board have accepted the resignation of current CEO Matt McKerrow.

As the inaugural CEO of the organisation, Matt has led and steered Triathlon Ireland through a period of significant growth, development and professionalization during his three year term in the role. In this time, the organisation has more than doubled its membership; as well the number of affiliated clubs and sanctioned events. Other highlights of the period include a dramatic rise in the results of TI’s high performance athletes; the hosting of two major European Championships; as well as increases in the funding of the organisation by the Irish Sports Council and Sport NI and commercial partners Vodafone and Kinetica.

A native of Australia, Matt is heading back down under, having accepted a senior management role with government agency High Performance Sport New Zealand. He will remain in post at TI to ensure a smooth transition from the role until mid-late January. An open and transparent process to recruit a new CEO for the organisation, involving both the ISC and Sport NI, will begin this week.

Speaking on behalf of the TI Board, President Mark Riseley took the opportunity to congratulate and thank Matt for his hard work over his three year tenure: “There isn’t a shadow of doubt that the organisation is in a better place as a result of Matt’s efforts – his successor will have some big shoes to fill”.

“It’s been an amazing journey – one I’m a little sad to be bringing to a close” TI CEO Matt McKerrow commented. “The achievements of the organisation in the past three years fill me with an immense sense of pride; and I thank both all who’ve given me the opportunity to contribute to the sport of triathlon in Ireland, and in particular the many hard-working and committed staff, volunteers and members of the triathlon community who each through their own contributions have made Triathlon Ireland the innovative, modern and healthy governing body it is today.”

Soccerex is delighted to announce a new partnership with CNN International which sees the brand become the official international media partner at the Soccerex African Forum 23-24 October.

Under the alliance, the CNN International logo will be displayed on all promotional material including the Soccerex website, email newsletters, event brochures and signage. CNN.com will also promote the Soccerex Forum through banner advertising. The partnership comes weeks after the independent Media Survey of Global Affluents (GEMS) confirmed that CNN’s television and online services reach more upscale consumers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia; on TV and online than any other international media brand. On the African continent, CNN is the single most watched international broadcaster, winning seven out of ten of the continent’s key audiences across all platforms every month.

Commenting on CNN International’s involvement, Soccerex Marketing Director David Wright said:

“We’re delighted to welcome CNN International as official media partners for the Soccerex African Forum – it’s fantastic to be partnering with such a well renowned and respected organisation and I am sure their involvement will add value to the event. We’re looking forward to working with them on this important project and to utilizing their vast global network to showcase the African Forum.”

Reme Al-Saiegh, VP Ad Sales, CNN International said, “International business decision makers are increasingly looking to regions like Africa for inspiration and the sporting sector is recognised as a hotspot. We look forward to extending the footprint of this important event to our international audiences via our CNN platforms.”

Vladimir Romanov, owner of Scottish Premier League side, Hearts has revealed he is ready to sell the club to the fans after the collapse of his business empire.

Romanov, who has owned Hearts since 2004, says he has lost everything after Lithuanian bank Ukio Bankas was placed into administration. 

Through his ownership the club has seen highs in which they won the Scottish Cup in 2006 and 2012 and lows where the club is fighting a winding-up order by the tax man over an unpaid £1.75 million bill.

“All of our savings, all our companies, all of our activities were all in the bank,” Romanov was quoted as saying in the Times. “We have lost it. We have a plan to sell 51% of the club to the fans. Maybe it will not happen straightaway, but we would like to realise it. 

“I do not care about the price. It will be up to the administration of the club to calculate the share price. Before, the club always had losses but now they are making a tiny profit and now it does not require an injection of money.” 

Hearts owe £25 million to Ukio Bankas and until the bank’s administrator has decided what will happen to that debt, which could take between six months and a year, the club will essentially remain in limbo.

New Zealand Olympic Committee have appointed Rob Waddell as their new chef de mission.

He replaces Dave Currie, who struggled to contain a media storm around Valerie Adams at the 2012 London Olympics.  Waddell won rowing gold at the 2000 Sydney Games and said the position was a “unique opportunity.”

“It’s a unique position and I’m honoured to have been appointed.”

“We’ve just come off the back of our most successful Olympic Games ever and I’m determined that continues.

“I’ve been to three Olympic Games and experienced them not just as a successful gold medal winner but also as a wide-eyed first-timer and again as an athlete struggling to meet expectations. That broad perspective will help better understand our top athletes.”

Secretary general Kereyn Smith said the NZOC was delighted to appoint Waddell.

“Rob has what it takes to make sure the environment is right for athletes to achieve at Olympic Games,” Smith said.

“He knows sport and the needs of elite athletes, is highly respected and sets a clear standard of excellence. He also has as strong focus on the benefits of sport to the community. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Waddell is currently a senior member of Team New Zealand, vice-chair (former chair) of the Home of Cycling Trust and co-owner of a family business.

High Performance Sport New Zealand chief executive Alex Baumann said he was confident in Waddell’s ability to deliver.

“Rob has a depth of understanding and experience across high performance sport. He’s known for his commitment to excellence and we look forward to a strong partnership with him as we plan for Rio 2016,” Baumann said.

As chef de mission, Waddell will lead the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams. He will be responsible for setting standards of excellence, overseeing the planning and preparation of the games management teams and ensuring the athletes and their national sports organisations have what they need to achieve within the complex Olympic and Commonwealth Games environments.

Waddell will be New Zealand’s 18th chef de mission for the Summer Olympic Games. Sir Arthur Porritt (1924 Paris and 1936 Berlin) was New Zealand’s first chef de mission.

The 2012 International Sports Event Management Awards shortlist has now been announced. Many new categories have been included for 2012 and entries have hit a record high.  The ISEM Awards are the industry’s flagship Awards and honour sports event management industry leaders through the acknowledgment of outstanding performance.

The prestigious black tie Awards evening will take place on 7^th November at the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch London, where winners will be announced and the sports event management industry will gather to celebrate and recognise organisations for their work over the last year.

Shortlisted companies are:

Event Marketing Award

· Total Sports Asia – Axiata Cup

· HRSM Ltd – Barbury International Horse Trials

· Dubai Duty Free – Dubai- Duty Free Tennis Championships 2012

· Total Sports Asia – Glory Awards

· Manchester City Council – Manchester

· Havas Sports & Entertainment China – Roland-Garros in Beijing

Event Overlay and Facilities Award

· G4S Global Events – London 2012

· PKL Group – London 2012

· Team London 2012 – London 2012

· De Boer International – Qatar Masters Event

Event Look Award

· The Look Company – Arab Games 2011

· The Look Company – Emir Football Cup 2012

· Sport Event Denmark – Giromania in Denmark

· Innsbruck Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee – Innsbruck 2012

· LOCOG – London 2012

· Designwerk – SBK

· Icon – UEFA Euro 2012

· PS-communication – Volvo Ocean Race

· Volvo Ocean Race – Volvo Ocean Race_Abu Dhabi

Hospitality Award

· SportsMark – ArcelorMittal

· Prestige Ticketing Limited – London 2012

· Visa & Sportsmark – London 2012

· Keith Prowse – Keith Prowse, RBS 6 Nations, Twickenham Stadium

· Rugby Travel & Hospitality Limited – Rugby World Cup

· IMG – Statoil Masters Tennis

Best Use of Sponsorship Award

· Total Sports Asia – Axiata Cup

· Fast Track & BT – BT Paralympic World Cup

· Lloyds Banking Group – London 2012

· Havas Sports & Entertainment China – Roland-Garros in Beijing

· Open Adventure – TERREX Adventure Race

· Sprint Nextel – The Sprint Experience

Best Use of Technology Award

· America’s Cup Event Authority – America’s Cup

· Total Sports Asia – Axiata Cup

· BT Global Services – London 2012

· Creative Technology – London 2012

· Production Resource Group – Pan American Games

· Eurosport – SimulCam

· Open Adventure – TERREX Sting Adventure Race

· ACTIVE Network – U.S. Open Swimming Championships

· Volvo Ocean Race – Volvo Ocean Race

Best Opening/Closing Ceremony Award

· Filmmaster Group – UEFA EURO Closing Ceremony

· mamemo productions – GCC Games

· Filmmaster Group – Juventus Opening Stadium

· Crystal CG International – London 2012

· FiveCurrents – Pan American Games

· Filmmaster Group – UEFA EURO Opening Ceremony

Sport City Award

· Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Limited – Auckland

· Sport Event Denmark – Copenhagen

· sportAgentur Düsseldorf GmbH – Düsseldorf

· Glasgow City Marketing Bureau – Glasgow Sport City

· London & Partners – London

· Manchester City Council – Manchester City Council Sport City

· Victorian Major Events Company – Melbourne

The Most Innovative Event Award

· Innsbruck Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee – Innsbruck Youth Olympic Games

· Team London 2012 – London 2012

· Fast Track – Sainsbury’s School Games 2012

· ONE Fighting Championship – ONE Fighting Championship

· HiVelocity – Sundown Marathon

Environment & Sustainability Award

· Spotless Group Limited – Presidents Cup, Melbourne

· Volvo Ocean Race – Volvo Ocean Race

· Wembley Stadium – Wembley Stadium

· LOCOG – London 2012

One of the new Awards this year includes Most Innovative Event which will be judged by the sports event management community from the Sports Event Management Linkedin group and the Sportscrowd community.

The Outstanding Contribution Category will be awarded on the evening of the 7^th November.  This awards an individual who has made the most significant contribution to the development of the international sports event management sector.

The 2012 ISEM Awards take place alongside the International Sports Event Management Conference. Further information on attending the Awards Gala Dinner and Conference can be found on www.eventmanagementawards.com