George Soros, the US billionaire, has bought a stake in Manchester United Football Club.

Soro’s investment firm bought approximately 3.1 million Class A shares in the club according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The total amount is 1.9 per cent of the club, who lost 1-0 to Everton in their opening fixture of the Premier League the night before.

The Class A shares that Soros has bought, carry less voting power than the Class B shares that are held by owners, the Glazer family.

United had entered the US stock market earlier in August and valued the club at more than US$2.3 billion (£1.46 billion).

Since being listed on 10 August, the share price of Manchester United has fallen 6.7 per cent.

Soros, 82, had previously shown interest in taking over Serie A side AS Roma, but was put off by the club’s financial problems.

The billionaire investor looks after US$25 billion in assets through his Soros Fund Management LLC.

ECB announced today that Giles Clarke has been nominated to continue his role as chairman by the 18 first-class counties and Marylebone Cricket Club for the next term of office up until the ECB’s annual general meeting in 2015.

No other nominations for the post of chairman were received and Clarke’s candidacy will now be put forward for election by the 41 full members of ECB: comprising the chairmen of the first-class counties, ampoule the chairmen of the boards in non first-class counties, try the chairman of the Minor Counties Cricket Association and the chairman of MCC.

Election papers will be sent out shortly and the result will be known in mid-March.

Clarke said: “I am most grateful and honoured by the first-class counties and MCC in being re-nominated for the role of ECB chairman.

“I am especially grateful to Colin Graves and the Yorkshire CCC committee for proposing me, ed | and to Chris Grant and the Derbyshire CCC committee, and Percy Price and the Worcestershire CCC committee for seconding me.”

by Ismail Uddin

iSportconnect is pleased to announce that Malin Feuk from Italy and Wiebke Linnemann from Germany as our winners of the iSportconnect competition each winning tickets to the International Sports Event Management Conference (ISEM) 2011.

The International Sports Event Management Conference is known as the Ultimate Meeting for Sports Event Professionals. ISEM is an established event aimed at local organising committees, sports federations, event organisers and suppliers to major sports events. ISEM also includes the renowned Awards ceremony and gala dinner, celebrating excellence in sports events.

If you didnt win don’t fret as iSportconnect have discounted the delegate tickets by 10% for all other iSportconnect members.

Keep logging on to iSportconnect for more competitions and sports business needs.

The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has revealed plans to establish partnerships with broadcasters in the region to help enhance television coverage for major Paralympic events in Asia.

Through collaboration with the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), ailment the APC hopes to attract more public broadcasters and Free-to-Air (FTA) stations to be involved in Paralympic activities and sporting events in the region. 

APC recently initiated engagement efforts with Asian broadcasters by participating in the 52nd Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Sports Conference held in Bali, capsule Indonesia last week. 

Delegates representing more than 25 public and private broadcasting organisations as well as sports marketing agencies attended the conference which was organised by the Kuala Lumpur-based ABU. 

APC’s delegation was headed by the IPC its president and IPC Governing Board Member Dato’ Zainal Abu Zarin, pills IPC Commercial and Marketing Director Alexis Schafer Secretary General, Malini, APC Para-Games chairman Jia Yong, APC Sports and Development Committee Chairman Billy Lee, APC Media and Communications head, Naseruddin Wahab. 

Prominent broadcasters which attended the four-day Conference include CCTV of China, Korea’s KBS, NHK of Japan, IRIB of Iran, Media Corp (Singapore), Astro, TV3 and RTM of Malaysia, TVRI (Indonesia) and other Asian public broadcasters. 

Zarin was convinced that the partnership would be fruitful in enhancing and sustaining more awareness and interests on the Paralympic sports and Games in the region. 

“Last year’s London Paralympic Games has proven that para-events are not to be left out … receiving great TV coverage and airtime and recording huge number of global audience,” he said. “We believe that the same scenario can happen here in this region with the collaboration with ABU and Asian broadcasters. 

The Asian Para-Games are held every four years, back-to-back with the Asian Games. Guangzhou, China, hosted the first Asian Para Games in 2010 while Incheon will host the next edition next year in Korea.

Wordlink Sport Limited, ed the sports and gaming division of Wordlink Group Plc, apoplectic has signed on to become Fulham FC’s Official Betting and Gaming Partner.

The three-year deal, which commenced at Fulham’s opening day 5-0 defeat of Norwich City on Saturday, will see Worldlink provide dedicated desktop and mobile applications together with its licensed bookmaking partner, BetButler.

BetButler, powered by Worldlink Sport, will offer Fulham fans exclusive matchday betting provision, both at Craven Cottage and online via the Club’s official website, sourcing the best odds across 60+ bookmakers to enhance supporters’ betting experience

Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham FC CEO said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Worldlink as one of our key partners. They impressed us not only with their product but their commitment to a long term partnership and we are looking forward to building a successful relationship with them over the next three years.”

Neil Riches, Managing Director of Worldlink added: “I am thrilled to be announcing the partnership with Fulham FC . We are looking forward to providing the Fulham fans with an enhanced betting experience, and developing a long term relationship with a club of such international prestige and one that has got off to such a fantastic start to the season.”

About Worldlink:

Worldlink Sport is the sports and gaming division of Worldlink Group PLC which is one of the UK’s leading real-time mobile applications companies with patented technology that allows information held on the mobile device to be updated automatically without the need for a manual refresh. Information is delivered via a mobile telecommunications network in real time, whilst intelligently minimising the bandwidth required to transmit the data. The technology is patent protected in the US and UK and is patent pending in Europe. Worldlink has already licensed its patents to leading institutions in the financial and technology sectors and is furthering this process in the UK, US and Europe.

 

Commonwealth Games squash gold medallist, Sue Wright, has been appointed an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers.

The only Ambassador who has established her sporting reputation in squash, Wright believes that her appointment is a significant coup for the sport which is currently preparing its bid to become part of the programme for the Olympic Games for the first time in 2020.

Phil Smith, director of sport at Sport England, commented: “We’re delighted to have Sue as one of our ambassadors. Everyone who chooses to become a Sport Maker is invited to an informal event that aims to inspire them to make sport happen in their communities.

“Sue has shown she has the knowledge, passion and the experience to motivate others and to increase participation in sport.”

Wright is establishing a new career in sports media and was a commentator on the live coverage of the World Series Squash Finals at The Queen’s Club in London last month on Sky TV, and also appears regularly on BBC Radio Oxford.

“For me personally, it is not only exciting having the Olympics just around the corner and being part of its legacy but, as a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, it thrills me even more to think that squash could potentially become part of the Olympic Games in 2020, and what an amazing impact that would have on the sport,” added Wright.

“It would be, without question, the pinnacle of the game and I am looking forward to our bid achieving success and squash gaining Olympic status.”

Sport Makers describes itself as being about making sport happen by giving people the skills to get others playing or competing either through a specific event or a local club.

The programme aims to capitalise on the interest in sport in Britain in 2012 by creating 40,000 Sport Makers, all encouraging others to participate in sport.

“I am extremely proud and honoured to be an Ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Legacy Programme Sport Makers,” said Wright. 

“It is a fantastic programme, encouraging and inspiring people to get involved in sport at local level in a very informal way.

“Maybe organising a jog around the park with friends, a kick about with colleagues or throwing a frisbee with family on a regular basis is all it takes to become a Sport Maker and become part of the Olympic Legacy.”

Wright, originally from Kent, spent most of her playing career based in Thame in Oxfordshire before moving to nearby Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire. 

In a distinguished squash career, she celebrated a career-high world No3 ranking in 1998 and later in the year partnered Cassie Jackman to gold in the Commonwealth Games women’s doubles in Kuala Lumpur.

She also finished runner-up in the world-renowned British Open in 1991 and 2000. 

With more than 80 junior and senior caps to her name, she represented England as a senior international from 1989 to 2001, leading the country to six European titles and to the World championship final in 1998.

by Ismail Uddin

Former Barcelona Vice-Chairman and CEO Ferran Soriano has been appointed the new Chief Executive officer at Manchester City beginning his role from September 1st.

Ferran has worked for several multinational companies across Europe and America and has more than 20 years of strategic consultancy and executive experience in football, telecommunications, consumer goods and aviation. 

Speaking of the appointment, Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “The process of finding a Chief Executive Officer has been deliberate, far reaching and exhaustive. In Ferran we have our preferred candidate. His experience in football and in the wider commercial world make him exceptionally well equipped to lead Manchester City through its continued evolution.

It is important to recognise and thank the Board, the Executive Leadership Team and in particular, Interim Chief Executive, John MacBeath, for their hard work during the search period.”

Ferran Soriano said: “I am delighted to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City Football Club. The vision of the owner together with his commitment, and that of the Chairman and Board, make this opportunity absolutely compelling.

“The Club has incredible potential to be fulfilled both on and off the field. I very much look forward to playing my part to ensure that happens.”

During his time at Barcelona, Ferran led and managed the Club’s turnaround from revenues of €123 million ($152m) and losses of €73million ($90m) to €308 million ($380m) revenue and €88 million ($107m) cumulated profit within five years. He also oversaw some of the biggest commercial and media deals in the industry and devised fan acquisition and relationship models and concepts for real estate development.

The announcement follows the appointment of TomGlick in the newly created role of Chief Commercial and Operating Officer. Tom takes up his position from August 20th. Ferran and Tom have been working closely together with senior figures at the football club in order to ensure the smoothest of transitions.

International Olympic Committee Vice President Mario Pescante resigned on Tuesday from his role following the Italian government’s refusal to back a Rome 2020 Olympic bid.

“We can confirm that Mario Pescante has resigned as IOC Vice-President,” an IOC official told Reuters.

Pescante, one of Italy’s most influential sports power brokers, told reporters he was unable to remain after the government last week dashed Rome’s 2020 Games hopes by refusing to back the bid due to the country’s belt-tightening measures.

Pescante, 73, who will remain as IOC member for Italy, had led the Rome bid until its sudden demise last week.

“I feel a bit embarrassed to be representing a country which has thrown in the towel early,” Pescante told reporters, adding that Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti’s snub had come far too late, only hours before the application deadline.

“Monti’s decision was accepted with due respect but …I must say my position in the IOC Executive is no longer compatible with my role.”

Madrid, Tokyo, Istanbul, Qatar’s Doha and Azerbaijan’s Baku are in the running for the 2020 summer Games with the IOC due to choose the winning candidacy in September next year.

Read Mario Pescante’s interview with iSportconnect here

Property website and principal sponsor of West Bromwich Albion FC, sale Zoopla.co.uk, has announced it will become the main sponsor of the Albion Foundation, which delivers sports and education opportunities in the local community.

Over the next two years, the website has committed to fundraising and has pledged £50,000 to the Albion Foundation.

As part of its wider goal of supporting the local community, Zoopla has also launched ‘Golden Goals’ to help to raise additional funds for the Albion Foundation and a number of other local charities.

Every time West Bromwich Albion FC scores a goal in a Premier League match this season, Zoopla will donate £1,000 to charity. £500 will go to the Albion Foundation and £500 will be shared amongst other West Midlands based charities including Ideal for All, Krunch, Compton Hospice, CLIC Sargent (West Midlands Region) and Macmillan (West Midlands Region).

With this in mind, Albion’s 3-0 win over Liverpool on the opening day of the season raised £3000 for local charities.

Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Zoopla said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Albion Foundation and a host of other local charities. The Albion Foundation do outstanding work in the local community as do the other charities we have chosen to support and we recognise that these charities rely heavily on donations from businesses like ours.

“We are keen to do what we can to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and with the launch of our Golden Goals, the more Albion score this season, the more we will donate – go Baggies!”

Rob Lake, Director of the Albion Foundation added: “It is fantastic to have the support of Zoopla. This funding will make such a difference to the Foundation and enable us to further develop the crucial work we are doing to “Inspire to Achieve” and make a real difference.

“We think the innovative “Golden Goals” initiative is great and we are delighted to be working with Zoopla to support some of our partner local charities.

“I am sure the fans will be interested to see where the funding is going every time we score a goal in the Premier League.”