Hockey Canada have announced they have secured a new 10-year broadcast agreement, with TSN and RDS that extends their long-standing partnership dating back to 1991.

The new deal, negotiated exclusively with TSN and RDS, gives Canada’s #1 English and French speciality networks multi-platform media rights to all Hockey Canada events including the IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP (World Juniors). Hockey Canada also confirmed today that the 2015 and 2017 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP will both be co-hosted by Toronto and Montreal – with TSN and RDS holding all broadcast rights.

As the official broadcast partner of Hockey Canada, TSN and RDS will deliver more than 30 games from key Hockey Canada events each year.

“It is rare to find a partnership so rewarding as the one between TSN, RDS, and Hockey Canada. Together, we have grown the profile of amateur hockey in Canada to remarkable heights and have helped to make the World Juniors one of the most-anticipated and most-watched events on Canadian television every year,” said Phil King, President of CTV Programming and Sports. “Extending this wonderful partnership with Hockey Canada ensures our subscribers will continue to have exceptional coverage of some of the biggest domestic and international events in Canadian hockey.”

“Hockey Canada is very excited to be able to continue its long-time and successful association with TSN and RDS as our media partners,” said Hockey Canada president and CEO Bob Nicholson.  “TSN and RDS have helped grow many of our properties into Canadian traditions, and achieved record viewership numbers along the way. We look forward to working with TSN and RDS to continue to build our properties, from national championships through to new grassroots initiatives.”

“Nothing galvanizes Canada like watching our hockey players proudly wear the Maple Leaf as they take on the world’s best,” said Stewart Johnston, President of TSN. “Hosting the World Juniors in Toronto and Montreal will help to further establish this tournament as one of the all-time marquee events in Canadian sports. We are thrilled to be a part of the magic and look forward to delivering Canada’s holiday hockey tradition to fans for years to come.”

Hockey Canada is the third major partner to extend its exclusive partnership with TSN and RDS in the past 20 months, joining the CFL and the Canadian Curling Association in signing a long-term rights agreement with the networks.

Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House has confirmed media reports it has agreed a deal to takeover English football club Leeds United.

“GFH would like to confirm that GFH Capital Limited, a 100 percent subsidiary of Gulf House, has signed an exclusive agreement to lead and arrage the acquisition of Leeds City Holdings, the parent company of LUFC (Leeds United Football Club),” the Bahrain-based firm said in filing to the Dubai bourse.

While GFH did not confirm who they were working on behalf of, club officials said at the weekend negotiations are ongoing with a Middle East-based consortium and an outcome likely in the next two weeks.

Leeds United owner Ken Bates said talks to sell the club were “progressing slowly” with a final agreement still to be reached, UK regional newspaper Yorkshire Evening Post reported.

The Leeds chairman said in programme notes published earlier this month that negotiations with a Middle Eastern consortium were continuing but claimed the “appropriate documents have not been finalised between the lawyers”.

Neil Warnock, the club manager, added on Thursday that he hoped there would be “good news” in the next couple of weeks.

In comments published by UK news channel ITN, he said: “Everyone is working hard behind the scenes to change all that now. Hopefully, we will have some good news in the next 10 days, couple of weeks.”

Fans have become increasingly frustrated as the deal remains unsigned almost four months after talks with the group from the Middle East first began.

A demonstration against United’s owner was staged by supporters on Tuesday night prior to the defeat to Hull City.

The identity of United’s would-be buyers has never been confirmed although previous reports suggest that a member of Bahrain’s ruling family, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, is one of the individuals behind the approach.

Last month, it was reported that the proposed takeover of Leeds had collapsed.

In a statement posted on its official website, Leeds United said: “Leeds United announces that the exclusivity period granted to a potential investor as mentioned in the statement of 26 June has ended.

“The club remain happy to continue discussions, but not on an exclusive basis, so as not to prevent other options passing.”

The English Championship football club previously said on June 26 that an unnamed group of investors had been granted due diligence.

It added that the club would continue to be receptive to approaches from potential new partners.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) today announced the appointment of Quentin Smith to the England Rugby 2015 Board, clinic the body set up to deliver Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

Smith, prostate Chairman of Premiership Rugby, sale joins RFU Chief Executive Officer Ian Ritchie, RFU Chief Financial Officer Stephen Brown, Professional Game Board Chairman Ian Metcalfe, Injured Players Foundation Chairman and former RFU President John Owen, RFU Council member and Chairman of the Championship Clubs Geoff Irvine and Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office and the Government’s Chief Operating Office Ian Watmore on the Board, which is led by ER 2015 Chairman Andrew Cosslett and ER 2015 CEO Paul Vaughan.

Formerly in management and then a lawyer, Smith was a Partner in Addleshaw Goddard, where he was acknowledged as a top mediator in the country. He also chaired the internationally acclaimed Sports Business Group that handled the legal work for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, RFL, FA, Football League, rugby union and motor sports.

He was the Chairman of Sale Sharks Rugby Club for ten years before being elected as the first independent Chairman of Premiership Rugby in 2010.

The appointment adds further depth to the Board and sees a cohesive and considered approach from the RFU and ER 2015, ensuring domestic professional rugby is represented as England prepares to host the best ever Rugby World Cup in 1198 days time.

On the appointment Ian Ritchie, the RFU CEO and an ER 2015 Board Member, said: “Quentin is highly respected in and outside of the game and brings valuable expertise to the Board as we look towards 2015.

“It is important for the Board to have a wide ranging and complimentary skill set, representing all elements of rugby, as we look to deliver a memorable tournament and to grow participation across the country.”

Smith himself said: “I am delighted to join the England Rugby 2015 Board and am hugely excited to be a part of the body delivering the biggest event in our sport. The Board is made up of a great mix of individuals and I look forward to working with Andrew Cosslett, Paul Vaughan and all the Board members in delivering what will be a fantastic event in England in 2015.

“Throughout my rugby career with Sale Sharks and Premiership Rugby I have experienced first-hand the great passion and appetite for rugby in this country and know there will be a huge contribution made by all of our domestic stakeholders; fans, players, clubs, media and many more, in hosting the thousands of travelling supporters who want to be part of this great celebration of the game.

“Delivering the best ever Rugby World Cup is a going to be a great challenge and one which I look forward to greatly.”

Cosslett, Chairman of ER 2015, added: “Quentin has such a unique perspective on the development and operation of domestic professional rugby and this, combined with his background in mediation and law, should prove to be valuable assets to ER 2015 Board.

“With our tournament dates now confirmed, preparation is really ramping up and Quentin’s appointment adds further depth to the Board charged with delivering the best Rugby World Cup in England 2015.”

Eurosport have inked a deal with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and Le Mans Endurance Management to showcase the FIA World Endurance Championship for a further three years.

The extension of the current deal covers 2014 to 2016 and involves TV and digital rights for Le Mans 24 Hours and the other seven rounds of the FIA WEC in a total of 71 countries in Europe and Asia-Pacific region. 

Eurosport will broadcast every minute of the iconic 24-Hour race LIVE across channels Eurosport and Eurosport 2 as well as on internet and mobile on the Eurosport Player online TV service. Eurosport’s extensive coverage is also enhanced with the live broadcast of the free sessions, qualifying sessions and “Le Mans 24 Minutes” magazine, the daily on-site show produced by the channel during Le Mans week.

Launched in 2012, the rising FIA Endurance World Championship includes eight rounds: 6 Hours of Silverstone, 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Le Mans 24 Hours, 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas, 6 Hours of Fuji, 6 Hours of Shanghai and 6 Hours of Bahrain.

Nissan has been reported to have extended its major sponsorship of the International Stadium in Yokohama.

Nissan became naming rights sponsor of the 72, ampoule 327 seater arena, which hosted which stadium hosted the 2002 Fifa World Cup final, in 2005.

It was announced by city officials in Yokohama that the deal is worth US$5.75 million over three years.{jcomments on}

Dave Allen has become the new chairman of Chesterfield FC following the retirement of long-standing chairman Barrie Hubbard. 

The 73 year old former chairman, a lifelong fan of the club, indicated a couple of months ago his intention to stand down in June 2012 as chairman and director after being on the Board for most of the last 29 years.

The change of chairmanship was formally ratified at a Board Meeting held yesterday Thursday 7 June 2012 at the B2net Stadium. 

New chairman Dave Allen said: “Barrie Hubbard asked if I would be willing to take over the chair and as I have heavily invested in the club it seemed the sensible thing to do to take over the reigns.”

“Over the years Barrie has worked very hard for the club and can feel proud of his achievements but he has indicated he is now ready for a rest and we all wish him a long and happy retirement.” 

“It’s fair to say I didn’t expect to be taking over as chairman of a football club again but I am comfortable with it as we have a good bunch of supporters at Chesterfield.” 

“I intend to give 100% in my efforts to achieve what the fans want, which is championship football as soon as possible, and this will require careful planning and hard work by everyone at the football club to ensure we bring the success we all want.”

Ulrich Wolter, denture Managing Director of DFB-Wirtschaftsdienste GmbH Consulting Sales & Services (Deutscher Fußball-Bund / German Football Association) will be speaking during the 4^th edition of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona.

He will take part to a panel dedicated to “Stadium developments – at the heart of the experience”. This debate will be the opportunity to focus on all of the issues today’s stadium developers should take into account to make sporting venues profitable and sustainable. He will be sharing his experience with the audience as he was involved in most of the international football competitions held in Germany in the past 6 years.

Career

Ulrich Wolter, anabolics born in Bremen on October 4th 1973, cheap | is the current Managing Director of DFB-Wirtschaftsdienste GmbH Consulting Sales & Services.

Mr. Wolter has been involved in the organization of important events most of them related to sport.

From 2002 to 2003 he was the Project Leader of the National competition for the execution of the XXX Olympic Games and the XIV Paralympic Summer Games 2012. Shortly after that he became Head of division of International Affairs/International Competition of the event.

He was Managing Director of the Organizing Committee for the FIFA World cup 2006. From 2006 to 2007, Ulrich Wolter was a Senior Manager at the Industrial Investment Council based in Berlin. In 2007 became Venue Director UEFA European Championship 2008, SA.

Ulrich was also worked as the General Coordinator of the successful FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2011.

Since September 2011, Ulrich Wolter is Managing Director of DFB-Wirtschaftsdienste GmbH Consulting Sales & Services.