Trevor Birch, Portsmouth administrator is offering to set up a meeting with the Pompey Supporters’ Trust and Balram Chainrai’s company Portpin to try and help save the financially-stricken club’s future.

The news comes after Wednesday morning’s announcement from Portpin that they have withdrawn their bid for the troubled npower League One club.

Chainrai listed a number of reasons behind his decision to pull out, most notably a lack of support and co-operation from administrator PKF and other involved parties, but went on to state “we welcome and will assist anyone, including the Supporters’ Trust, to try and save the club in the coming days”.

The announcement leaves Pompey in real danger of liquidation, but administrator Birch, who has spent the last few weeks trying to slash the club’s wage bill in an attempt to push through the sale, hopes the Supporters’ Trust can still come to their rescue.

“We note Portpin’s statement that it has withdrawn its bid for Portsmouth Football Club,” said Birch.

“In reviewing the options available to the club, we also note Portpin’s offer to support any efforts to save Portsmouth in the forthcoming days.

“We are therefore urgently seeking a meeting with Portpin and the Pompey Supporters’ Trust to determine if the Trust’s bid can be brought to a successful conclusion.

“We are working behind the scenes with (manager) Michael Appleton to enable the club to field as strong a team as possible for its first league match on Saturday.”

Portsmouth’s future now appears to be down to the Supporters’ Trust and whether they can come up with the funds to turn the south-coast outfit into a community-owned club.

The Trust insist fans have already pledged almost £2million and a combination of associate directors and individual investors another £1m.

Portsmouth City Council last Thursday agreed a £1.45m temporary bridging loan to the Trust, in the event of a ‘commercial’ solution not emerging.

And the Trust have welcomed Wednesday morning’s news that Portpin have withdrawn their bid.

“This is the moment we have been waiting for,” spokesperson Colin Farmery told www.pompeytrust.com.

“Fans need to be ready to come up with the money they have pledged. It is a pivotal moment in the club’s history.

“We welcome the fact Portpin have stated they want to want to help save the club. It is in no-one’s interests Pompey are liquidated.

“I am certain Pompey fans, the city of Portsmouth and the wider football family will be able to do what is needed to make Pompey the biggest community club of its type in the UK.”

Phoenix Suns Charities have announced the naming of Tim Benter to its Board of Directors.

Benter currently serves as the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Republic Services, ailment Inc. based in Phoenix, erectile Arizona. Republic is the nation’s second largest environmental services firm providing waste collection and recycling services across the United States. Benter has been with the company for more than 13 years in various capacities, and currently oversees the legal side of the company’s mergers and acquisitions, waste to energy development, national accounts, certain complex environmental matters and Western Region operations.

Phoenix Suns Charities is the cornerstone of the team’s foundation, making grants to non-profit organizations that serve children and youth in the areas of education, health and human services, the arts, sports and recreation, and rehabilitation. In the 23 years since its inception, Phoenix Suns Charities has donated over 11 million dollars to worthy Arizona organizations.

by Ismail Uddin

sick helvetica, sans-serif;”>Soccerex is announced that Hublot CEO, Jean-Claude Biver will be speaking on the ‘Football Brands the World’ panel at this year’s Global Convention taking place in the stunning city of Rio de Janeiro, 26-30 November. Jean-Claude will be joining FIFA’s Director of Marketing Thierry Weil on the panel which explores the use of football by international companies as a platform for brand leverage.

As CEO of Hublot, Jean-Claude is in a perfect position to discuss the topic; since joining the company in 2004, he has moved to increase the public profile of their brand awareness in a number of high profile sponsorship deals. In 2008, they agreed a deal with Manchester United FC.  That same year they became the first luxury brand to enter football at the European level, as timekeeper of the Euro 2008 which resulted in them becoming the official time keeper of t he 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM and the 2014 FIFA World Cup^TM.

Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie explains: ‘To have Jean-Claude speak on the brands panel just adds to the quality of the session.  The work he has done at Hublot has resulted in industry acclaim and it is great to have his knowledge on the subject especially when his strategy for brand growth has been so successful over the years.’

CEO Jean –Claude Biver is looking forward to this opportunity: ‘Soccerex is a perfect platform to share our precursor views as a luxury brand in the world of football. The quality of the attendance will definitively enhance the experience, and the fact that the conference takes place in Rio, host city of the FIFA World Cup 2014^TM makes this rendez-vous very special’.

The panel will focus on why brands consider football as a winning portal into domestic and international markets and break down the fundamental benefits of using football as a platform to connect with consumers.  Speakers on the panel will draw on relevant case studies to endorse their argument.

‘Football ‘Brands’ the World’ is just one session that makes up an impressive conference line up at this year’s Soccerex Global Convention.  Other topics that will be discussed include the 2014 FIFA World Cup^TM, Stadia, Sustainability, Performance, Social Media, Commercial Success, plus exclusive sessions with some of the footballs biggest stars past and present.

As well as this in-depth conference schedule, the Soccerex Global Convention will consist of a packed exhibition and a large range of networking events taking place in the Forte de Copacabana plus a two-day Football Festival taking place on the iconic Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro.

The Southeastern Conference have changed their long-term contract with CBS following the additions of SEC’s new 24-hour channel and Texas A&M and Missouri according to reports.

The terms of the deal are expected to remain intact ($55 million per year until 2023-24), with CBS lifting the exclusive 3:30 p.m. broadcast window so the SEC can air football games on its ESPN-operated channel on Saturdays.

CBS owned exclusive rights to the prime broadcast spot for its “SEC on CBS” game of the week. CBS still picks the top SEC game each week and owns rights to the league championship game in Atlanta.

The SEC Network plans to broadcast three football games per Saturday, so it will be interesting to see which matchups it rolls out during the mid-day swing that CBS enjoys. The SEC will likely aim for high-powered football matchups — not just third-tier leftovers — in the first few years of the network and possibly beyond.

The renegotiation also included the exchange of non-revenue assets that weren’t disclosed by a source.

SEC Network, to launch before the 2014 season, is wholly owned by ESPN, which will operate, produce and sell it. ESPN will likely be compensated well for this setup, but the league isn’t releasing financials.

SEC and ESPN officials will comprise a “content committee” to establish SEC Network programming.

Texas A&M and Missouri officially joined the league in 2012.

Japan’s top soccer league- the J.League- has signed a partnership agreement with Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF).

VPF runs the V-League- the top professional football league in Vietnam. The Japan Football Association’s also have an agreement with the Thai Premier League.

The J.League and VPF will work together toward the development of the sport in both countries, in terms of communication, marketing, managing events, academy and transferring players between the two leagues.

Sports marketing agency LeadOff Sports Marketing General Manager, Takehiko Nakamura said: “This ‘Asia Strategy’ that J.League is rolling out is to enhance its presence and to develop new businesses both in Japan and in other Asian areas. This movement and strategy is going to position J.League closer towards the European powerhouses in the near future.”{jcomments on}

The St. Louis Rams have hired Les Snead as their new general manager, bringing in another front-office veteran as they try to ellevate the status of the falling franchise.

Snead spent the past 13 years with the Atlanta Falcons, the last three as director of player personnel. The Rams announced his hiring on Tuesday and planned an afternoon news conference.

The Rams are in the midst of an overhaul after winning just 15 games the past five seasons. They have the second overall pick in April’s draft after going 2-14 last season.

The Rams have already hired a new coach in Jeff Fisher. He replaces Steve Spagnuolo, who was fired along with general manager Billy Devaney after going 10-38 in three seasons.

Snead oversaw college and pro scouting efforts for the Falcons, and the team said he played a key role in evaluating not just talent but the salary value of all player acquisitions. Before he arrived in Atlanta, he worked in pro scouting for the Jaguars from 1995-97.

Snead is a former tight end for Auburn, and he later was an assistant for the Tigers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education.

Hanging over the Rams are questions about the franchise’s future in St. Louis.

The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission unveiled a plan Feb. 1 that calls for $124 million in improvements to Edward Jones Dome in hopes of making sure the city doesn’t lose another NFL team.

The Rams’ lease with the commission requires the dome to be “first tier,” or among the top 25 percent of all NFL stadiums in several categories. If it falls short, Kroenke can move the franchise after the 2014 season.

The Rams have until March 1 to accept or reject the commission offer. They can also make a counter proposal. Arbitration would begin June 15 if no agreement is reached, and the arbitration process could last through the end of the year.

Rams also signed a three-year deal to allow one home game per year to be hosted in London.

by Ismail Uddin

Legends Football League have announced a number of broadcasters as part of the global momentum building around the sport. 

The most recent round of international television partners include sports-centric broadcasters TV2 in Denmark, Sport TV in Portugal and Ma Chaine Sport which covers France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Israel and Sub-Suharian Africa. 

“LFL’s progress as a global sports franchise in merely four years is truly unprecedented. We initially set out to become the most recognized women’s sports franchise in the US. Over the next five years we will become one of the most recognized global brands in all of sport. We will surpass the NFL as the leader in American football internationally by 2015”, said, Mitchell S. Mortaza, Founder & Chairman, Legends Football League, LLC. 

This round of international television partnerships were brokered by Total Sports Asia, LFL Global’s media rights distributor, each of these broadcasters will air LFL Global league play, to include LFL USA, LFL Canada and LFL Australia. 

LFL Global’s distribution is fast expanding as the league is now covered on television across all continents and over 120 territories including major markets such as Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, France, Denmark, Thailand  Indonesia, Brazil etc.

Werder Bremen has invited fans opposed to its new shirt sponsor for talks in a bid to resolve a row that has resulted in numerous supporters terminating their membership of the Bundesliga club.

Bremen officially presented poultry meat producer Wiesenhof as its new sponsor on Monday, viagra two days after animal activists and fans protested against the deal worth a reported €10 million ($15.7m) over two seasons.

More than 21, cure 000 Werder fans have joined an online petition against Wiesenhof, hospital which has been accused by animal rights group PETA and others of animal cruelty, poor hygiene and bad practice.

Werder marketing manager Klaus Filbry says ‘there have been (membership) resignations. We will hold dialogues with everyone to present our motives. Everyone is free then to stick with their decisions.’

Mark Lamping, the President and CEO of MetLife Stadium and home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, was named today as President of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League, with his tenure beginning Monday, Feb. 27.

The appointment of Lamping was announced Monday morning by new Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. Lamping will be responsible for all non-football facets of the operation, reporting to Khan. Jaguars general manager Gene Smith will continue to report directly to Khan.

“This is a very important and exciting development in the Rebirth of the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Khan said. “Mark will bring to the Jaguars and to the Jacksonville community a mix of sports and brand marketing, stadium management expertise and team front office leadership that is very difficult to find in one person.  Mark’s resume speaks for itself and I am very grateful to the Giants and Jets for making it possible for the Jaguars to present Mark with a new challenge and the prospect of success here in Jacksonville.”

“The Jacksonville Jaguars have vast potential, and I’m honored that Shad Khan is asking me to play a leadership role in reaching that potential,” Lamping said.  “We have the opportunity to revitalize the franchise and build something special, memorable and hopefully historic for the league, our partners and especially Jaguars fans, who will be central to our mission.  My wife Cheryl and I are ready to get started and excited to make Jacksonville our home.”

A native of St. Louis, Lamping served Anheuser-Busch in a variety of capacities from 1981 to 1993, including brand management and eventually as the global company’s group director of sports marketing.  While at Anheuser-Busch, Lamping managed the company’s television and radio sports production division and all domestic and international sports marketing activities for Anheuser-Busch’s beer brands, including sponsorship agreements for the Olympics, FIFA World Cup and all North American major professional sports.

In 1994, Lamping was named president of his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.  Lamping was responsible for business and facility operations among many other duties on behalf of the baseball club, and played a significant role in the renovation of the old Busch Stadium and subsequent revitalization of the Cardinals franchise in the mid 1990s.  Lamping later led the development and funding of the new Busch Stadium, which opened in April 2006.  The Cardinals won five division titles, two National League pennants and the World Series championship in 2006 while Lamping was president, drawing more than 3 million fans for nine consecutive seasons.

In 2008, Lamping accepted the position of President and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium, which is now MetLife Stadium, the 50-50 venture between the Giants and Jets.  Lamping reported to a board of directors that included the owners of the Giants and Jets and was responsible for overseeing all facets of the stadium development, construction and operation, including business operations, sponsorship sales, marketing, event business, new media and more.  Lamping was a major force in helping to bring Super Bowl XLVIII to MetLife Stadium in 2014.

Lamping holds a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Mo., and master’s degree in business administration from Saint Louis University.  He and his wife have three children.

by Ismail Uddin

Leaders in Football has sold out as Arsenal, viagra 100mg AS Roma, ed the UK Government, a former World Cup referee, and a former World Cup Winning Captain all sign up for Leaders in Football 2011.

As the final speakers are confirmed for the Leaders in Football conference being held over 5^th and 6^thOctober 2011 at Chelsea FC, the organisers have announced a complete sell out with a growing list of delegates now joining an ever increasing waiting list.

The speaker line up continues to impress with Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive Officer, Arsenal FC joining the Financial Fair Play panel whilst Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport, UK Government will be delivering a keynote address on governance.  They will be joined by Tom Di Benedetto, the new President & Chairman, AS Roma will discuss ownership whilst Frank De Bleeckere, Champions League and FIFA World Cup Referee will talk about the pressures of refereeing in the modern game.  The final speakers are finalised with a World Cup winner as Fabio Cannavaro, Former Captain of Italy will be debating the issues that matter on the popular players panel.

The latest speakers will be joined by FIFA Executive Committee members, HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Dr Michel D’Hooghe and Jim Boyce; UEFA General Secretary, Gianni Infantino; Chairman of Chelsea FC, Bruce Buck; the independent Chairman of The Football Association, David Bernstein; former Prime Minister of Belgium and now Chairman of the UEFA Financial Fair Play Panel, Jean-Luc Dehaene; former World Cup referee, David Ellery; Hassan Al-Thawadi, General Secretary of the Supreme Council overseeing the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022; Owner of Stoke City FC and Bet 365, Peter Coates; Chairman of Sunderland AFC, Niall Quinn; Jamie Carragher, Vice-Captain for Liverpool FC; Pierluigi Collina, former World Cup Referee and Member of the UEFA Referees Committee; and Chairman of the Football League Greg Clarke.

Leaders in Football takes place within the Leaders Sports Summit, a coming together of 5 leading conferences including Sponsorship, Digital Sport, Performance and the business of Horse Racing, over 5th and 6th October at Chelsea FC. To apply for the waiting list to attend, or for more information, visit www.leadersinevents.com, contact enquiry@leadersinevents.com or call +44 (0) 207 042 8666.