BT Sport has agreed a highlights package deal for the Revolution Series elite track cycling.

This year’s series will showcase some of the biggest names in British cycling, symptoms as well as top international riders, over five indoor track cycling meets.

BT Sport will be bringing you an hour-long highlights show from Saturday’s curtain-raiser at the National Cycling Centre on Tuesday October 29, when you can see the likes of double Olympic champions Laura Trott and Jason Kenny take to the track.

Other big names competing in Manchester this weekend include Ed Clancy, Dani King and Jo Rowsell – all Olympic gold-medal winners at last summer’s London Games.

The series travels to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow on November 30 following a successful debut event there last season, with highlights to be broadcast on BT Sport on Tuesday December 3, before returning to Manchester in the New Year.

The best of rounds three or four will be shown on Tuesday January 7 and Tuesday February 4 before the series reaches its conclusion with a fifth round, added to the calendar for the first time this year.

The finale, a double bill of racing set over two days on March 14 and 15, will be staged at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London’s Olympic Park, marking the first elite cycling event to be held at the venue since the 2012 Games..

Sarah Mensah, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, has resigned after 19 years with the organization.

“Mensah’s departure is effective at the end of this month,” said Trail Blazers President and Chief Executive Officer Chris McGowan.

Day-to-day management of the team’s business, revenue and brand management operations, including ticket sales and service, corporate sales and service, suite sales and service, marketing, communications, community relations, broadcasting, game operations and digital communications will move under McGowan’s leadership.

“Sarah’s vision, creativity and steadfast determination were essential components of an outstanding career with the Trail Blazers,” said McGowan. “Her impact on our organization was profound. The Portland Trail Blazers are grateful for her service and commitment to excellence for 19 years.” 

“As the Trail Blazers begin a new chapter, the time is right for me to step down,” said Mensah. “There is a great new leadership team in General Manager Neil Olshey, Head Coach Terry Stotts, and President Chris McGowan. I want to thank Paul Allen for giving me the opportunity to lead and for always providing the team with the necessary tools to innovate and achieve both on and off-court success.”

“Sarah leaves an indelible mark on the Trail Blazers, the NBA and indeed professional sports,” said Trail Blazers owner Paul G. Allen. “She was a guiding force through some of the Trail Blazers’ most pivotal years in terms of growth, development and impact. Sarah will be missed by the entire Trail Blazers family, and we wish her continued success in the next chapter of her professional life.”

Rugby Ventures, site the management team behind Rugby Expo, ailment is delighted to announce a coveted addition to this year’s conference programme in Leigh Castergine, pills vice president for ticket sales and services for Major League Baseball giants the New York Mets.

Leigh will be joined by Derek Palmer, managing director & executive VP, International of headline sponsors Tickets.com and supplier to the Mets for a main stage plenary session on day one of Rugby Expo, bringing together a wealth of experience to discuss how rugby clubs can maximise revenue and engagement through their ticketing strategies.

“I’m very excited to be involved with Rugby Expo this year. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to share our league’s best practices in ticketing strategy and technology with the audience at Rugby Expo, while also learning more about rugby and its challenges and successes,” confirmed Leigh.

Having joined the Mets in 2010, Leigh has already been responsible for implementing dynamic ticket pricing to all New York Mets ticket areas, becoming the first team in the competitive New York sports team market to do so. Leigh previously worked for National Hockey League sides Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, as well as National Basketball League’s Orlando Magic.

“Baseball, above all US sports, is renowned for its innovative ticketing strategies and what Leigh and her team have implemented at the Mets is certainly no exception. In a typical season the Mets can sell upwards of three million tickets in what is a very competitive New York sports market,” explained Derek.

“We received fantastic feedback in 2011 with involvement in our plenary session from Steve Fanelli, executive director for ticket sales and operations at MLB’s Oakland Athletics and with Leigh confirmed for this year, we will provide clubs with an exclusive insight into one of the biggest ticketing challenges faced by professional sports teams.”

Major League Baseball side the Mets not only contends with rival baseball team the Yankees, but a total of nine professional sports teams located in New York, all competing for fans, support and, ultimately, ticket sales.

“Not only are we a part of a highly competitive sports and entertainment market in New York, we also host 81 home games a season in a venue that holds 42,500 fans; such challenges mean that operating a successful ticketing strategy is crucial,” explained Leigh.

Commenting on the event’s conference programme, event director Jonathan Wilson said, “The quality of the speakers, conference programme and workshops at Rugby Expo is always a key factor in the reason delegates return year on year.

“We are delighted to welcome Leigh to the event and given her experience and successes through her work within professional sport, we know that she will be a fantastic addition to the list of world class speakers taking part at this year’s Rugby Expo.”

The conference programme will run alongside a busy exhibition floor, profiling some of the sport’s latest products, services and innovations.

If you are interested in attending Rugby Expo as a sponsor, exhibitor or delegate, please contact Jason McMahon at jason@rugbyexpo.com or on +44 (0) 7881 288900.

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.