Charlie Brooks, sale communications director for Nike Western Europe, rx has moved to the sports brand’s US headquarters to take up a global role from Nike’s head office in Oregon from next week.

Brooks becomes Nike’s global communications director for football and Olympics as well as for the firm’s affiliate brands, anabolics namely Converse, Umbro, Hurley, and Cole Haan.

Brooks’ will be replaced in his current role heading up the Western Europe communications team by Teresa Rione, who moves over across from Nike’s Spanish office.

A former Olympic athlete having competed in the 100m for Spain, Rione has previously been head of PR for Nike in Spain, and more recently head of communications, corporate and consumer for the Central/Eastern Europe region.

Rione, who will be based full-time in Nike’s London office from the end of April, heads up a team of two Western Europe Senior PR managers – Luca Danovaro (football) and Jo Taylor (Nike sportswear).

Ryan Greenwood will continue to lead corporate and consumer PR for the UK with UK PR managers Claire Parnell (football/rugby/men’s Training) and Simon Wainwright (Nike sportswear/basketball/action sports) reporting in to him

ESPN and Euroleague Basketball have announced a new agreement hosting live and delayed coverage in the UK.

The relationship between ESPN UK and Euroleague Basketball started in 2010 with television coverage of the 2010 Final Four and since then coverage has expanded with each season.

Under the new agreement fans will be able to enjoy Turkish Airlines Euroleague with a weekly “Game of the Week”. ESPN’s coverage begins on 27 December, with the tipoff of the Top 16 phase of the competition when Montepaschi Siena faces Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv at 7:45pm.  ESPN’s coverage will continue through the Top 16 phase, the Playoffs and reaching its pinnacle with coverage of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four, hosted this season at The 02 Arena in London from May 10 – 12.

In addition to games, ESPN UK will air the weekly Euroleague Basketball Magazine show and will televise the documentary series “Basketball Cities presented by Turkish Airlines” later this season.

This agreement reinforces Euroleague Basketball’s efforts to expand the visibility of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague following a long-term strategy to grow the league and the sport in the United Kingdom.

Andrea Bassani, Euroleague Basketball’s Chief of Television and New Media Rights Officer, said: “We are very happy to continue collaborating with ESPN in the UK and Ireland markets, guaranteeing the best platform for Euroleague Basketball in the UK.  One of our main goals this season was to find an ideal partner to broadcast the Euroleague games in the UK, where we are bringing our signature event, the Final Four. We are convinced that through this agreement with ESPN UK and the upcoming Final Four in London our basketball will prove to be something that sports fans in the United Kingdom enjoy immensely.”

Simon Potter, senior director of programming and production, ESPN EMEA, “We’re very happy to continue to add to the variety of top sport that we offer to fans in the UK and Ireland, and feel that basketball fans now know ESPN is the home for hoops in the UK and Ireland – with the Euroleague joining the NBA and NCAA coverage.”

A press release from AEG Europe, owner and operator of The O2 Arena, London, announced that the leading sports and entertainment company have appointed Jay Marciano as its President and CEO.

Marciano will begin his new role on May 9, reporting directly to AEG Europe’s Board of Directors, and joins the company from his previous role as President of New York-based Madison Square Garden Entertainment [MSGE].

In his new position Marciano will utilize his extensive live entertainment and facilities experience to oversee all activity in the European region incorporating AEG Facilities’ 20 music and entertainment venues located in nine European markets, including The O2, London; O2 World, Berlin; O2 World, Hamburg; Ericsson Globe, Stockholm; SECC New National Arena, Glasgow; Ahoy Rotterdam and the ULKER Arena and Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.

In addition he will be overseeing other divisions of AEG Europe including AEG Europe Ticketing (Outbox), AEG Global Partnerships – Europe, AEG Live Europe and AEG Europe Development.

Marciano will also oversee some of AEG Europe’s more diverse businesses which include Thames Clippers (the London river boat service) and European sports franchises such as German ice hockey clubs Eisbaren Berlin and Hamburg Freezers as well as the Swedish Hammarby Sports Association which owns and manages Stockholm soccer club, Hammarby Fotboll.

Under Marciano, all of AEG’s European businesses will be run by one central management team.

Marciano oversaw bookings and productions at world renowned venues including Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre and the Chicago Theatre during his six year career with MSGE. He also directed a rebranding initiative for the company resulting in numerous acquisitions and partnerships.

Marciano previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at AEG Live in Los Angeles from March, 2003 to March, 2005 where he was responsible for the development and overall operations of AEG Live’s regional offices and the company’s music festival division, as well as being part of the team responsible for conceiving and designing The O2.

Tim Leiweke, President and CEO, AEG Global said: “I’ve had the personal and professional pleasure of working with and knowing Jay for many years and I believe that there is no one in the world more qualified to lead AEG in Europe. His exceptional skills and experience with facilities and content for these facilities is recognized as being one of the most unique and extraordinary in the industry.

“It was critical for us to find a person of his stature that can manage our facilities division, our content division, our entry into the ticking industry as well as our sports and development divisions across Europe. Jay was our first choice and we are exceptionally lucky to have him back working for us at AEG Europe.”

On leaving MSGE to join AEG Europe, Marciano added: “I’ve had six wonderful years at Madison Square Garden Entertainment. It has been a privilege to work with such an extraordinarily talented and dedicated team, and the decision to leave was not taken lightly.

“However, the opportunity to move to London and work with AEG Europe and at The O2 was too good to resist. AEG Europe is a dynamic commercial operation and The O2 has proven to be one of the world’s most successful venues. I look forward to contributing to their continued growth and success.”

Australian Rugby League has secured a new international television deal that will guarantee access to key markets including the UK, mind USA, therapy Asia and the Pacific.

The five-year agreement with IMG Media will ensure fans overseas have world-wide access to all Telstra Premiership matches as well as State of Origin, erectile Test matches played in Australia, AAMI City-Country and the Harvey Norman All Stars.

The partnership covers free-to-air television, subscription television, IPTV, mobile, in-ship, in-flight and gaming rights, as well as access to the NRL Films archive.

“What’s exciting for Rugby League fans around the world is that we now have in place a range of different options for them to watch matches across television and digital mediums,” NRL Interim Chief Executive, Mr Shane Mattiske, said.

“To have guaranteed television exposure in key markets such as the UK, USA and Pacific is really significant for growing the game’s international exposure.

“As IMG Media finalises deals in markets around the world we will be able to confirm the processes in which fans will be able to tune in to watch all the excitement of the Telstra Premiership and the best representative contests in sport, including State of Origin.”

Mr Chris Guinness, Senior Vice-President, Head of Asia Pacific, IMG Media, said IMG Media was committed to increasing Rugby League coverage across international markets.

“We are very excited about extending our relationship with the NRL over the next five years,” he said.

“The relationship has evolved from traditional international TV distribution to a complete 360 degree involvement covering all aspects of the NRL’s international media assets and we look forward to working closely with the NRL in this new exciting era.”

The international rights do not include NRL properties in Australia and New Zealand, nor do they include World Cup matches or Tests overseas.

HRH Princess Haya, president of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), announced yesterday, April 5, the resignation of Secretary General and CEO Alex McLin, praising him for bringing new professionalism to the organisation.

The press release from the FEI also confirmed that Belgian Ingmar De Vos had been appointed as McLin’s replacement.

HRH Princess Haya stated: “I am truly indebted to Alex for his hard work and dedication over the last three years. He brought the FEI into the modern era and made it much more professional. I will miss his sound counsel, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

In a resignation letter delivered to Princess Haya last Friday, McLin said he was thankful to have served in her first term as President, writing: “I have enjoyed being an agent of change within an organisation that we together sought to modernise and take to a new level. I have also enjoyed tackling the complex issues facing the FEI and attempting to find ways to improve its approach, its service to the sport and its stakeholders.”

De Vos, who currently serves as Secretary General of the Belgian Equestrian Federation and the European Equestrian Federation, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

In addition to his duties with the two Federations, De Vos has a lot of experience in organising international jumping competitions and has served as Chef de Mission for the Belgian Equestrian Team at all recent World Championships and Olympic Games.

Princess Haya added: “We are very fortunate to have someone of Ingmar’s calibre join the FEI team. I look forward to working with him as we continue to unify, strengthen and modernise our Federation. He understands the needs of National Federations better than anyone. I know he will push all of us, including me, to do a better job of meeting those needs.”  

De Vos said he welcomed the opportunity to work with Princess Haya as she begins a second and final term as FEI President after her re-election in November, saying: “The FEI has been through a period of profound change. It is a much better organisation than it was four years ago. As Princess Haya said during her re-election campaign, we now have an opportunity to use this period of calm to build on our progress in a more deliberate manner. I am honoured to have a chance to be part of that process.”

ESPN and the NFL Players Association today announced a multiyear agreement for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, drugs a college all-star game featuring top draft-eligible seniors.

The 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be televised live on ESPN2 and be available via WatchESPN on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. ET from The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif.

The agreement also includes four hours of live coverage of the Collegiate Bowl practices on ESPNU on Thursday, Jan. 17. ESPN commentators will be announced after the New Year.

The 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be the second edition of the all-star series. This is the first time the event will air on an ESPN network.

The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl promises to be a great event featuring many draft eligible college players,” said Leah LaPlaca, ESPN vice president, programming and acquisitions. “We look forward to televising the game and practices as part of ESPN’s offseason football programming lineup leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft.”

“Our partnership with ESPN for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl provides our future members with a special opportunity to showcase their talents,” said George Atallah, NFLPA Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs. “The week of the game offers players with invaluable preparation for their professional careers in the NFL, and we’re proud to have ESPN be a part of that.”

An agreed partnership has been reached between Soccerex and GlobalSportsJobs that will see the creation of an online jobs board dedicated to the soccer industry.

GlobalSportsJobs aims to harness the power of digital technology to provide an online destination offering access to jobs, apoplectic information, seek careers advice and a large social network. Organisations such as IMG, viagra 60mg Fast Track and Eurosport are among those which have already signed up to the service and Soccerex has now followed suit.

Under the terms of the deal, GlobalSportsJobs will create and power an online jobs board for the leading global soccer convention and information business, which will be offered to its extended network.

Will Lloyd, CEO of GlobalSportsJobs, said: “We are delighted to partner with Soccerex which has developed one of the biggest and most influential networks in sports worldwide. Together we will unlock tremendous new opportunities for people seeking jobs in football worldwide or develop their careers in the sector.

“Soccerex is a world renowned football brand and, together with GlobalSportsJobs’ innovation and technology, creates a powerful combination,” he added.

Georgia Tech Athletics have announced it has reached an agreement with IMG College, the nation’s leading collegiate marketing firm, to extend its current 14-year multimedia rights partnership through June, 2021.

The agreement includes IMG College’s exclusive representation and management of game broadcasts and coaches’ shows for radio and television, publications, digital assets, corporate partnerships, stadium and venue signage, game promotions, and game day hospitality.

“We are thrilled to not only continue, but extend our multimedia partnership with IMG College,” Georgia Tech acting athletic director Paul Griffin said. “Our relationship with IMG has benefitted Georgia Tech athletics across all our multimedia platforms on a local, regional and national level for many years.

“We are happy to join a long list of elite programs in college athletics in solidifying our long-term commitment to our partnership with IMG College.”

Through IMG College’s representation, Georgia Tech has benefitted from the support of large national brands as well as new and enhanced relationships with many local and regional companies. By consolidating schools’ media rights coast to coast, IMG formed the first national collegiate marketing platform giving companies easy access to the largest, wealthiest and best-educated fan base in sports. With GT’s involvement in this groundbreaking platform, major sponsors including UPS and Lowe’s are now providing support to GT Athletics. Additionally, IMG College has forged school sponsorships with brands such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, Aaron’s and many others.

“IMG College is thrilled to continue to serve Georgia Tech, an historic institution with an athletics program on the rise,” said Ben Sutton, President of IMG College. “This partnership with Tech and our continuing presence in Atlanta – a top 10 media market and headquarters for many leading U.S. companies – is important to our groundbreaking national program that the Institute will continue to benefit from.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) has appointed Briton Terence O’Rorke as its new senior manager of media relations and communications, it was announced yesterday, March 30.

O’Rorke replaces Frederic Donze who has moved to Lausanne to become the director of WADA’s European regional office and international federations.

O’Rorke has been chief sub-editor in Eurosport’s London office for the past four years but now joins the Montreal-based WADA.

The University of East Anglia graduate, who started his journalistic career at the Chatham and Rochester Gazette, has previously managed media relations for three international sports federations – Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the Asian Tour and the Ladies European Tour – and worked as a sports journalist for some of the world’s leading news organizations, including Reuters.

O’Rorke’s previous experience also include working for the sports marketing agency the World Sport Group (WSG), where he was media manager for eight years, six of them based in their Hong Kong office.

Sky TV Germany GmbH & Co. KG and the German Volleyball Federation (DVV) have joined forces and agreed an extensive partnership. 

The marketing subsidiary of Sky TV Germany GmbH & Co. KG, allergist Sky Media Network will market from 2013 the German Cup Beach Tour and the official German beach volleyball championships of DVV. The contract runs for an initial five years.

Sky has secured all platform-neutral audiovisual rights from these tournaments. Sky also has gained the exclusive right for the international marketing.

Sky from 2013, denture will air the finals of the four Super Cups of German Beach Cup tour and the semifinals and finals of the German beach volleyball championships (both women and men) broadcast live in HD and on the 24-hour sports news channel Sky Sport News HD.

Carsten Schmidt, cheap Sky Chief Officer Sports, Advertising Sales & Internet: “The exclusive arrangement with the DVV in Beach Volleyball offers for our marketing company Sky Media Network host of new opportunities “

Thomas Krohne, president of the DVV: “This agreement is a milestone for beach volleyball in Germany which will provide the live broadcasts of the sport a high priority on television and at the same time will increase the value of our German Beach Cup tour and its related sponsorships. I am very happy that we were able to call Sky a partner.”