The New York Cosmos will have at least half of their 14-game North American Soccer League fall season schedule televised.

One World Sports will televise at least the team’s home games. It was not known whether the road matches would be on on the cable TV station.

The team also plans to hire former MetroStars and Red Bulls announcing partners JP Dellacamera and Shep Messing as the New York Cosmos, according to national soccer sources.

The announcement could come as early as next week, sources said.

Philly.com reported that Dellacamera probably could not announce all of the games because of his commitments to the Philadelphia Union.

Football Association (FA) chairman David Bernstein has issued an apology for the Hillsborough disaster.

The apology came soon after the Hillsborough Family Support Group called on English football’s governing body to say sorry.

The FA gave the go-ahead for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, at which 96 people died, to be staged at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground despite the fact that it had no safety certificate and had been the scene of potentially dangerous crowd situations in previous years.

“We are deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a stadium the FA selected. This fixture was played in the FA’s own competition, and on behalf of the FA I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected with the city of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club,” Bernstein said.

“This should never have happened. Nobody should ose their lives when setting out to attend a football match, and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told.”

Earlier on Thursday, the FA issued a statement in which it welcomed the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report on Britain’s worst-ever sporting disaster, saying it “reiterates its deep and ongoing sadness at the dreadful events that unfolded on April 15, 1989”.

But Support Group chairman Trevor Hicks said they should go further, following the example set by Sheffield Wednesday and issuing an apology. He told BBC Radio Five Live: “Yes they should – the ground didn’t have a safety certificate.”

The FA commended the panel for its work in compiling the report, which revealed a devastating cover-up by police and emergency services and said the lives of some of the victims could and should have been saved.

The panel, chaired by the Right Reverend James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, assessed more than 400,000 pages of documents relating to the tragedy, which happened on the Leppings Lane terraces as the Reds played Nottingham Forest.

In a statement, the FA praised their “exhaustive and professional work” and said: “Having thoroughly reviewed yesterday’s report in full, the Football Association would like to commend the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

“It is also important that the FA recognises the tireless commitment shown by so many, particularly the Hillsborough Family Support Group. We welcome the publication of the report and the subsequent comments of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

“The FA reiterates its deep and ongoing sadness at the dreadful events that unfolded on 15 April 1989. The organisation’s thoughts at this time remains with the families of all those who lost their lives in such terrible circumstances, as well as everyone connected with the city of Liverpool.

“For 23 years, the families have suffered unbearable pain, and we have profound sympathy for this.”

The statement said the FA had “co-operated fully” with the panel throughout the compilation of the report, and had released documentation as requested.

It added: “The FA, and English football, has changed immeasurably, and has learnt many lessons in the last 23 years. Through advancements in safety and investment in facilities English football is now a much safer, more welcoming environment for supporters.”

After the report was released, Prime Minister David Cameron, in a statement to the House of Commons, apologised to the families of the victims for the injustice they had suffered and said the report showed that the police cover-up, aided and abetted by media coverage – most infamously in the Sun – had resulted in the “denigration of the deceased”.

He told MPs: “With the weight of the new evidence in this report, it is right for me today as Prime Minister to make a proper apology to the families of the 96 for all they have suffered over the past 23 years.”

Cameron said the report was “black and white” in its findings that Liverpool supporters had been in no way to blame for what happened that day.

 

Controversy surrounding Blackburn Rovers FC has continued as deputy chief executive Paul Hunt, has been sacked according to sources.

On Tuesday, a letter from Hunt to Blackburn’s owners was leaked which called for “significant changes” at Ewood Park, including the removal of manager Steve Kean, who was unable to save the club from Premier League relegation this season.  

The letter, which was sent in December and subsequently published on Sportingintelligence.com this week, further saw Hunt asking Venky’s to “make some significant changes to save the club, perhaps from relegation but also perhaps from administration.”

It is reported on Wednesday, according to sources among others, that Hunt has been sacked by Blackburn in the wake of the leak, despite claims that the chief executive was not the man to have publicised the letter, which also saw him request a promotion and a pay rise.

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Leading sports marketing and sponsorship agency, Generate Sponsorship, has won the PR brief to drive interest for the UCI BMX World Championships in Birmingham in May 2012.

Generate’s specialist PR team has developed a PR campaign that includes media relations, experiential activity, and digital to encourage ticket sales for the event as well as participation in the sport.

The event, which takes place at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena NIA from May 24^th-27^th, will host over 2,000 riders from across the world, including Olympic GB hopefuls Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips who will be gunning for world titles before the Games.

Jonny Clay, Event Director for the UCI BMX World Championships said, “The 2012 BMX World Championships is the latest in a string of major events that British Cycling has successfully bid for in recent years, and the event gives the GB Cycling Team home advantage in just weeks leading into the Games.  We’ve already seen the impact of the event here in Birmingham with the creation of the new International BMX facility at Perry Park as part of the legacy of the event and as the event draws closer we’re looking forward to giving many more people the chance to participate in and watch the sport of BMX.”

Rupert Pratt, Managing Director of Generate, said, “We have developed a PR programme that will engage people primarily in and around Birmingham to drive attendance at the event, with a wider PR programme designed to generate interest and participation in the sport. The event takes place only a few months before the Olympic Games, and with GB medal hopefuls competing at the Championships, media and consumer interest will be high. We’re looking forward to working with the UCI BMX World Championships to assist in making this event a huge success.”

For tickets to the event go to www.bmxworldchamps.co.uk

For further information about Generate go to www.generatesponsorship.com

Leading South African TV sports broadcaster, apoplectic SuperSport have announced a three-year broadcast partnership with EFC AFRICA, there Africa’s leading Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organisation.

The partnership comes off the back of the unparalleled growth of EFC AFRICA since its inception in 2009, medicine and the subsequent mass interest in the sport of MMA. 

“This agreement has been long in the making,” says Happy Ntshingila, Chief Executive of SuperSport. “EFC AFRICA has quickly established itself as a world class sporting organisation, all the while singlehandedly pioneering the sport of MMA on the continent. Our partnership with EFC AFRICA represents our cognisance of what is widely considered the fastest growing sport in the world.” 

The new partnership will see hours of dedicated EFC AFRICA programming per day on SuperSport, as well as a guaranteed 10 live primetime events per year.

“This is the perfect partnership for us and our fans, and one which the fans have been wanting for a long time,” added EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. “We are now able to offer EFC AFRICA fans a new level of sports broadcasting, as well as reach an entirely new fan base through Africa’s biggest sports network.”

FIFA officials have been discussing plans to improve India’s football infrastructure during a four-day meeting with the All India Football Federation, as the country prepares to host the U17 World Cup in 2017.

The meetings were headed by FIFA Secretary General, Jérôme Valcke, and FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development, Thierry Regenass, who also met with Reliance Industries Chair, Mukesh Ambani, and Hero Group Chair, Pawan Munjal.

Valcke said: “It’s true that one of the issues of football in India is lack of infrastructure.” About 80 percent of I-League matches are played in three stadiums, only two have flood lights.

“With the lack of good stadiums and structure, it’s impossible to organize football games in the evenings, and all of the games are played in the afternoon.”

To host the U17 World Cup, the Indian government, which owns the land, will have to ensure it has sufficient quality stadia. Valcke said that FIFA has already built four artificial pitches and a football academy, and plans to build two more of each. “We have asked the Indian football federation that on top of the six artificial pitches financed by FIFA that we should finance more and give them more,” he said.

Talks will continue in the next month, with the aim of reaching an agreement before the end of the year. {jcomments on}

Liverpool FC’s reshuffle of their executive staff has continued after their director of communications Ian Cotton has parted ways with the club after 16 years of service following Sunday’s final game of the season at Swansea City.

Owners Fenway Sports Group released a statement today saying Cooton (left of picture) agreed to leave by mutual consent.

The announcement of Cotton’s departure follows the axing of director of football Damien Comolli last month as the club look to rebuild after a poor first full season under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group.

Reds managing director Ian Ayre said: “We would like to thank Ian for the important contribution he has made to the club during his long career here.

“He has played a key role as a member of the executive team in managing our relationships with key external stakeholders in the media and in the community. We wish Ian every success in his future career.”

Cotton added: “It has been a privilege to be at Liverpool FC for the last 16 years. I would like to thank everyone I have worked with for all their support during that time and wish this great club all the best for the future.”

Liverpool have had a below par season by their standards, sitting eighth place in the Premier League table and even though they lifted the Carling Cup back in February, the season has not pleased American owner John W Henry.

British Gas and agency Carat celebrate their win of the Hollis Sponsorship of the Year Trophy 2011

The build-up to the Hollis Sponsorship Awards 2012 is underway.  And this year we have expanded the number of categories companies can compete for.

“The Hollis Sponsorship Awards have stood the test of time – and come to be recognised as the Oscars of the industry, advice ” said organiser Rosemary Sarginson.  “But there have been many changes in the profile of the sponsorship sector and we want to reflect that.  We’re anticipating that this will trigger a wave of new entrants, viagra ensuring that we recognise the very best in our business.”

The Awards recognise excellence and effectiveness across every sector no matter what the budget.  Winning a Hollis Sponsorship Awards is a ringing endorsement of a campaign conducted to the highest specification – a stamp of approval from the industry and a fantastic pat on the back to all the members of the team.

Sports sponsorship campaigns can enter a number of categories but there are two categories specifically devoted to the sector – Sports Sponsorship supported by Sport England and UK Sport and Grass Roots Sport Sponsorship supported by Sport & Recreation Alliance.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate just how effective a sports sponsorship campaign can be in achieving both the client and the rights holder’s objectives – whether those might be introducing the sport and hence the sponsor to new audiences, allowing the client to become more involved in the community, enabling the workforce to contribute to the community, selling product, increasing visibility, changing brand focus, increasing inclusion in the sport or recreation, etc.  It can be a stand-alone campaign or one element of a much larger sponsorship.

You can start preparing your entry now and have until mid December to enter on the Early Bird rate and until mid January for the Final Deadline. The shortlisted and winning entries will be celebrated at our Gala Dinner on March 27th 2012 at The London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.

Full details can be found at http://www.sponsorship-awards.co.uk or by emailing info@sponsorship-awards.co.uk.

Star Sports has acquired the TV rights for the upcoming FIFA Confederations cup starting on 15th June, bronchi 2013 in Brazil.

The tournament, allergy which comes second only to the World Cup in International football, patient almost acts like a rehearsal to the World Cup scheduled to take place in Brazil in June 2014.

This tournament is contested between the holders of the six FIFA Confederation champions (UEFA, CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, OFC) along with the FIFA World Cup holders and the host nation. The line-up of nations for this year’s event will contain Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Uruguay, Japan, Nigeria, Italy and Tahiti.

With the participation of major footballing giants like Brazil, Spain and Italy, the tournament is expected to gain huge viewership. All the 16 matches of the tournament from 15th June to 30th June will be telecast live on Star Sports and ESPN across Asia.

Vijay Rajput, Chief Operating Officer, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said: ”We are incredibly proud and happy to present this mouth-watering array of premium sporting content in the month of June which will keep sports fans glued to their TV sets. With such premium sporting action across sporting genres, our aim is to take the viewership of sports to a whole new level – be it through our quality of talent, look and feel of the presentation or through innovative production led enhancements which help in creating an immersive experience for sports fans.”