BBC have secured the broadcast rights for England’s Rugby tests against Argentina in June.

The matches on June 8, Argentina v England (KO 8.10pm BST) and June 15, Argentina v England (KO 8.10pm BST) will be shown live on BBC 2.

Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are delighted that the two upcoming England Tests will be broadcast live on the BBC giving all England Rugby fans the opportunity to support the team during the prime time TV coverage this June. Stuart Lancaster has taken a young squad to South America and exciting talent will be on show as England aim for their first series win in Argentina.”

Philip Bernie, BBC Head of TV Sport said: “We know that there is always a keen audience to watch England’s rugby internationals, and so we’re delighted to be covering their two Tests in Argentina, who will provide a strong challenge. This of course adds to our considerable regular portfolio of international rugby live on BBC TV.”

Pitch International brokered this agreement on behalf of the Argentine Rugby Union.

Premier League clubs in England have nearly splashed out £500 million ($794m) on players in the summer transfer window.

Figures from accountancy firm Deloitte’s Sports Business Group (SBG) revealed that a total of £490 million ($778m) was spent over the course of the window, just £10 million less than the previous record of £500m ($794m).

More than £100 million ($158m) of this came in the final 24 hours as clubs raced to complete deadline deals, with the ultimate bill standing just £10 million ($15.88m) short of the 2008 record.

Commenting on the near record-breaking spending, SBG partner Dan Jones said that it has to be considered in context with the recently-announced 70 per cent increase in broadcasting revenues.

“Once overseas broadcast deals are factored in, the average Premier League club looks set to benefit from at least an additional £25 million of revenue per year from next season,” he said.

“While the total spending this summer is still high, it should be considered in the context of increases of over 70% in the Premier League domestic broadcast deals announced earlier this year,” Sky News quoted Alan Switzer, director of Deloitte’s Sports Business Group saying.

Discuss the summer transfer window here

The brmb Grass Roots Football Show have announced their second major partnership ahead of the 2012 event at the NEC in Birmingham.

The Coaching Manual launched their dedicated and unique online coaching resource at last year’s show and they have been quick to re-sign to exhibit again at the biggest grass roots football show in Europe in 2012.

With unlimited access to latest news, viagra 100mg views and expert advice for grass roots football coaches of all standards The Coaching Manual has had a superb first year engaging with thousands of coaches from across the globe.

Joanna Burns, adiposity Director of the brmb Grass Roots Football Show said; “We are delighted to welcome The Coaching Manual back for 2012.

“They had a fantastic launch at the show in 2011 and they continue to grow and grow and are a great addition to our partner portfolio.”

Chris Barton from The Coaching Manual said;  “We have a product which engages with the grass roots audience in the widest possible sense.  From parents, teachers, volunteers to qualified professional coaches – we have resources to benefit all.  There is no better place for us to continue to showcase our product than at The brmb Grass Roots Football Show.”

The brmb Grass Roots Football Show 2012 is the biggest football event of its kind in Europe and takes place at the NEC in Birmingham between 25^th and 27^th May.

For more information about the brmb Grass Roots Football Show go to www.grassrootsfootball.co.uk

Become a fan of Grass Roots Football on Facebook at www.facebook.com/grassrootsfootballshow

or follow Grass Roots Football  on twitter http://twitter.com/grfootball

British Olympic heroine Jessica Ennis has received a great gesture after Sheffield United Football Club revealed they have renamed a stand in her honour.

The Blades decided that they would rename the Bramall Lane Stand the Jessica Ennis Stand, leaving the gold medal winner stunned and delighted.

“It’s wonderful and totally unexpected to have further recognition from within Sheffield and from the football club,” said Ennis. “I never expected when I started out in athletics in Sheffield all those years ago that I would have a football stand at Sheffield United named after me.”

Sheffield-born Ennis did not attend the official unveiling of the stand’s new name before the League One match against Bournemouth on the weekend, but she insists that she will make it to the stadium as soon as possible to see the renamed stand for herself.

“I can’t be at the match on Saturday but look forward to coming down on a matchday very soon when I can see for myself how the stand looks as well as being able to meet supporters,” she said.

The stand was previously sponsored by Halliwells, a law firm which folded in 2010 after being hit badly by the recession. But rather than take the highest bid from a sponsor, this time the Blades have decided to emblazon the name of one of Britain’s greatest Olympians across the top of the stand.

Club owner Kevin McCabe explained that he made the gesture to make sure that the golden girl’s exploits live on.

“It is an appropriate and fitting tribute to rename our Bramall Lane double-tier stand after one of the finest athletes this country has ever produced,” said McCabe.

“Jessica and her family are Unitedites and after discussions with them we all agreed that renaming the Bramall Lane stand after her would provide an additional sporting legacy from the London Games, a permanent reminder that will hopefully act as an inspiration to other youngsters to come forward and achieve their dreams through sport.

“I have been fortunate enough to meet Jessica and her family. They are wonderful ambassadors for this city and sport. I am delighted Sheffield United and our fans can support and recognise Jessica through the renaming of the stand.”

1	NHL Add Nine More Broadcast Partners from Europe, Middle East & Africa	Thursday, 03 November 2011
2	BBC Splits Deal with ESPN for 2012 BDO World Champs Rights	Thursday, 03 November 2011
3	NBC Get Broadcasting Rights for Ice Hockey’s NCAA Hockey East	Thursday, 03 November 2011
4	EuroLeague Basketball Continues Deal with NBA TV for North America Rights	Thursday, 03 November 2011
5	ESPN Renew Deal with NHL for European Rights	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
6	SRG SSR Secure Swiss Rights for Ice Hockey World Championships Between 2012 to 2017	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
7	Media World Become Exclusive TV Rights Holder of Haiti Football Federation	Monday, 31 October 2011
8	ITV Secure French Open Broadcast Rights in UK	Friday, 28 October 2011
9	BBC Renews Rights to Wimbledon Coverage Until 2017	Thursday, 27 October 2011
10	FIFA Secure Three More TV Rights Deals For World Cups Gaining Almost Two Billion	Thursday, 27 October 2011

Scottish Premier League clubs are set to receive a windfall of £1m after Celtic’s progression to the group stage of the Champions League. 

Celtic have drawn against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow in Group G in this year’s competition and their participation in the finals of the competition have boosted SPL clubs.

UEFA makes an annual payout to all 53 nations involved in European competition, which is to be directed to top division clubs which do not reach the last 32 of the top tournament.

The SPL were due to receive £500,000 but that payment will be increased to circa £1,500,000, an amount which will be shared equally amongst the other 11 top flight sides.

European football’s governing body will make the payment at the end of the 2012/13 campaign.

The SPL’s chief executive, Neil Doncaster, said: “Our congratulations go to all at Celtic on once again reaching the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

“Their success is a welcome boost for the entire game in Scotland – both financially and reputationally.

“Ahead of the start of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign next week, last evening is a timely reminder that Scottish football still has a rightful place at European football’s top table.”

Richard Bowker has been named the new independent non-executive director of the English Football League.

He succeeds Ian Ritchie who stood down at the end of February to become chief executive of the Rugby Football Union.

The appointment sees the former chief executive of British transport group National Express joining the Football League’s board in order to bring an independent view to the organisation’s decision making process.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: “I am delighted to welcome Richard to our board, he is a high class individual with impressive business credentials.

“He also has first-hand experience of leading a regulatory authority and a genuine passion for football. His job is to deliver greater levels of insight, independence and continuity to the league’s governance process and I’m sure he’ll be a first rate appointment.”

Bowker added: “I am honoured and delighted to be joining the board of the Football League at such an important time. I look forward to working with the board and management team to help promote and secure a strong future for everyone who is associated with, and enjoys watching, this fantastic league.”

by Ismail Uddin

1	Rheem Sponsors a Number of NASCAR Teams	Friday, 04 November 2011
2	Buffalo Bills Secure Partnership with Wind Energy Giant to Work on Stadium	Friday, 04 November 2011
3	David Beckham Becomes New Marketing Tool for Sainsbury’s	Thursday, 03 November 2011
4	Samsung Become Title Sponsors of Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup	Thursday, 03 November 2011
5	Faversham Swimming Club Gets Online Swim Store Sponsor	Thursday, 03 November 2011
6	Singapore Athletic Association Partner with Asics for South-East Asian Games	Thursday, 03 November 2011
7	Discover Financial Services Become ‘Official Partner’ of NHL in US	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
8	Barcelona Gain Foothold in Asian Market with Chinese Sponsorship Deal	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
9	Elwery Sports Gets Naming Rights for Gaelic Football Stadium	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
10	Drew Brees Becomes Vicks VapoRub’s First ‘VapoDad’	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
11	West Coast Eagles Begin Partnership with Bank Sponsor	Wednesday, 02 November 2011
12	Manny Pacquiao Signs Major Deal with Drink Specialist	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
13	Mitsubishi Electric Continue Sponsorship with PGA Tour and Secure Funk Deal	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
14	MMA Star Signs Deal with Electronic Cigarette Brand	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
15	Tim Hortons Become Title Sponsor of NHL 2012 All-Star Game	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
16	Footwear Brand Sponsor Marathon Runner Tera Moody	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
17	Kenya Rugby Sevens Extends Sponsorship with Kenya Airways	Tuesday, 01 November 2011
18	Moët & Chandon Become ‘Official Champagne’ of the ATP World Tour	Monday, 31 October 2011
19	Liverpool Get Official Sponsor for Tools and Security	Monday, 31 October 2011
20	Afghanistan Cricket Team Renew Partnership with Telecommunications Company	Monday, 31 October 2011
21	Mexican Soccer Team Uses Players Twitter Handles as Shirt Sponsor	Monday, 31 October 2011
22	Fulham Sign Sponsorship Deal with Security Company	Friday, 28 October 2011
23	NASCAR Extends Sponsorship with UPS	Friday, 28 October 2011
24	CIBC Become Lead Sponsor for 2015 Pan American & Parapan Am Games	Friday, 28 October 2011
25	Denver Broncos QB Tim Tebow Extends Contract with Palm Beach Autographs	Friday, 28 October 2011

Major League Soccer (MLS) side Chivas USA announced today that Jorge Vergara and Angélica Fuentes have bought the 50 percent of the club owned by their previous partners, Antonio and Lorenzo Cué, making Vergara and Fuentes the sole owners of the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. 

The Cues were the managing partners of Chivas USA. Vergara and Fuentes previously owned 50 percent of Chivas USA and have been part of the club’s ownership since its inception.

“We are delighted to acquire the remaining interests in Chivas USA,” Fuentes said. “We are very excited about the future of Chivas USA,” stated Vergara.

In addition to their ownership of Chivas USA, Grupo Omnilife Founder Vergara, and Fuentes, the CEO of Grupo Omnilife, have owned one of Mexico’s most successful soccer clubs, Club Deportivo Guadalajara — commonly known as Chivas — since 2002.

Part of Chivas USA’s ownership since the club’s inception in August of 2004, Antonio and Lorenzo Cué have served on a variety of MLS ownership committees during a period that has seen the League grow from 12 to 19 clubs.

“It has been an exciting time for Major League Soccer and we are proud of the role that we played in the growth of the League,” Antonio Cué stated.  “We have enjoyed our time with Chivas USA, and we would like to thank our fellow MLS owners and the League office.”

“Chivas USA joined MLS in 2005 at a critical time for the professional game in North America,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.  “Antonio and Lorenzo Cué have been passionate owners and great partners for the past eight years.  I want to thank the entire Cué family for their support and belief in soccer in the United States.  We look forward to working closely with Jorge and Angélica as the new managing partners of the club.”

Marco Polo del Nero has replaced Brazil’s Ricardo Teixeira, on FIFA’s executive committee.

CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American soccer, named Del Nero on Thursday. He is president of the Sao Paulo state soccer federation.

Teixeira resigned last week from his seat on world soccer governing body for what he said were “personal reasons.” He also quit under pressure from the presidency of the Brazilian Football Confederation.

He is reported to be implicated in a scandal involving million-dollar kickbacks from World Cup broadcasting deals in the 1990s.

The other South American members on FIFA’s 24-member executive committee are Julio Grondona of Argentina and Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay.

The governing body responded to FIFA’s request on Tuesday to move quickly.

“The choice was unanimous,” CONMEBOL spokesman Nestor Benitez told The Associated Press.

Teixeira had two years left on the elected post he held since 1994, representing the 10 South American soccer nations at FIFA. Jose Maria Marin replaced him as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation.

In addition to Teixeira’s sudden departure, FIFA’s executive committee also has one interim member and a vacant seat.

Asia chose Chinese official Zhang Jilong in place of its confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam, who was banned for life by FIFA in an election bribery scandal last year.

FIFA is also without a Caribbean delegate, as CONCACAF has yet to replace disgraced former president Jack Warner, who resigned all of his duties last June to avoid investigation regarding the alleged Bin Hammam bribery scandal.