MLS Overtakes NBA & NHL as Third Most Attended Sport in US

With the ongoing NBA lockout, Major League Soccer (MLS) has surpassed the NBA and NHL in attendance and is now the third-most attended professional sport in America on a per-game basis.

Sporting News reported that this season, average attendance for the MLS’s 18 teams rose 7.2 percent to 17,872 per game, enough to leapfrog both last season’s NBA (17,323) and NHL average (17,132). The sport, however, is still miles behind the NFL (66,960) and MLB (30,352).

The MLS says the world’s most popular sport is booming in the country because of its foreign influence. The teams’ rosters include players from 60 countries. Sixteen percent of MLS players are Latino, no doubt attracting the MLS’ strong Hispanic following that accounts for a third the league’s fan base.

The most popular of all foreign players will undoubtedly be Englishman David Beckham, who transferred nearly five years ago to the league from Spanish giants Real Madrid. The LA Galaxy midfielder, whose contract expires after this season, has spectators flocking to stadiums all over the country, and he has paved the way for legends like Frenchman Thierry Henry to join ranks, as well.

Major League Soccer has also made some stringent business moves along the way, signing television deals with networks like ESPN and FOX, and partnering with NBC in 2012.

Finally, the MLS recognized the Northwest as a passionate soccer hotbed, aggressively expanding with the Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. The Seattle Sounders lead the league in attendance with 38,496 per game, more than doubling the league average.

The league’s tally surpasses even the inaugural season, when it averaged 17,406 spectators a game.

MLS President Mark Abbott, added: “It’s historic for us — we exceeded our best with 18 teams, and we only had 10 back then.We have Montreal joining next year, and we believe that we will have a very positive story in that market as well.”

The MLS is now staggeringly the tenth-most attended soccer league in the world.

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Story 4 & DIGI Sport Acquire Hungary Rights to Europa League

Story 4 and DIGI Sport have been awarded the Hungarian rights to the Europa League from 2012-15, viagra UEFA have announced.

Sanoma Digital Media has been awarded the right to have first pick of which game to broadcast live each matchweek, viagra order to be transmitted on its main channel, Story 4. Coverage of the live fixture will be followed by a highlights programme.

Pay television operator DIGI Sport has been awarded the rights to the remaining live games, with the final being granted on a co-exclusive basis. Each matchnight, DIGI Sport Hungary and DIGI Sport Plus Hungary will broadcast one live match, as well as a highlights programme.

All rights have been granted to Story 4 and DIGI Sport on a platform-neutral basis, with the rights also being broadcast online via www.story4.hu and www.digisport.hu, and on mobile.

Real Madrid Attract 60 Million Chinese Viewers for Midday Kickoff Game

Real Madrid are seeing the dividends of their early kickoff on Sunday against Osasuna after Beijing TV calculated 60 million Chinese viewers tuned in to see the game at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The game kicked off at midday in the Spanish capital, anesthetist meaning it was watched at peak viewing time of 7pm in the China, site and the figures will come as music to the ears of La Liga BBVA bosses who have introduced the earlier kick-off time to maximise the exposure of Spanish football in Asia.

Despite national television sports channel CCTV5cough Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;”> choosing not to broadcast the encounter it was shown on free-to-air television in the country’s capital, a move which went down well with the Chinese themselves and the numerous bars in central Beijing. Most were crowded with sports fans wanting a glimpse of stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not disappoint with a hat-trick in Real’s thrashing of José Luis Mendilibar’s team.

The initiative of La Liga in making inroads into the Chinese market has led to the opening of an office in Beijing in order to promote the competition, but a spokesperson recognised that it was still going to ‘take a great effort.’ to make a difference in a English Premier League dominated market.

Univision Deportes Obtains US Broadcast Rights to French & German Soccer

Univision Deportes has acquired mutliplatform U.S. media rights to both the French and German national soccer teams, and France’s professional league, Ligue 1.

The deal also includes Germany’s DFB Cup and the French Cup. The agreements grant Univision Deportes rights to all qualifiers played in Germany and France in the lead to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, including the France vs. Spain match in March 2013. Home friendly matches of the German and French National Teams are also included.

“The acquisition of these important European national team matches, league tournaments and first division French league matches serve as a perfect complement to our already robust soccer portfolio from the America’s,” said Juan Carlos Rodriguez, president of Univision Deportes. “These acquisitions solidify our commitment to remain the undisputed home for Hispanic sports fans.” 

This deal is Univision Deportes’ first rights acquisition for European teams.

MLS Expansion Focused on New York

MLS commissioner Don Garber has said the league is still focused on basing its 20th franchise in New York.

At his 2011 State of the League teleconference, help Garber said  MLS has hired a full-time staff member, physician and a series of consultants, to investigate potential stadium sites in New York and focus on developing the expansion process.

There is a desire within the MLS organisation to create a team to rival the New York Red Bulls. The recent resurrection of the New York Cosmos franchise has led to them being widely-tipped to be awarded  an expansion franchise. Saudi Arabian company Sela Sport’s recent takeover of Cosmos, has complicated the issue and Garber has said they are not the only candidate for the 20th franchise.

Garber stated there is also interest from Orlando Las Vegas and Detroit.

Garber said: “We’ll continue to work with [the Cosmos], but also with many others,” he said. “I think people think we throw that out just to have leverage. People in New York know that there are several potential ownership groups and, until we’re further along in the process, we’re going to speak to as many people as we can because that’s the best way to ensure that we get an ownership group that will have resources and be able to make the commitments to be good partners in Major League Soccer.”

Garber has affirmed the addition of the Montreal Impact as league’s 19th team will not result in additional games due to the logistical challenges presented by such a move. Montreal Impact will make its competitive debut in March, but MLS will not change its 34-match schedule to accommodate its addition.

Garber said: “We will have a 34-game schedule and it will be unbalanced. It’s simple math: 389 games would almost be impossible for us to execute with the other competitions we’re required to play, the weather issues we have, the challenges in a handful of markets, the FIFA dates. All the things we have to do differently in the United States from a competitive standpoint, along with the travel impact that exists in our country.”

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SPEED Channel Given US Rights to FIA WTCC

Eurosport Events, bronchi promoter of the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), sale announced that SPEED Channel will televise the races from Sonoma on Sunday 23 September.

The coverage will be aired again on Monday 24 September at 06:00 hours PST.
Seen as a breakthrough deal for domestic television coverage of the WTCC in the USA, the deal follows on from an existing season-long agreement to air 26-minute highlights of all WTCC rounds on SPEED 2 and online in the USA.

SPEED has also committed to broadcast highlights of WTCC’s three remaining rounds in Japan, China and Macau, which will ensure that by the end of the season 12 hours of coverage of the WTCC will have been shown in the USA.

Erik Arneson, Vice President, Media Relations for SPEED Channel, said: “WTCC is made for TV, action packed and nicely produced by Eurosport Events. Sonoma will offer a great theatre for the WTCC’s first appearance in the USA. I’m certain North American motorsport fans will enjoy WTCC on SPEED Channel.”

Antonios Argyropoulos, Head of Media Rights Distribution, Eurosport Events, said: “We’re delighted to have strengthened our relationship with SPEED Channel and this is more great news for the WTCC Race of USA, which promises to be one of the highlights of the season.”

In addition to SPEED Channel, The WTCC Race of USA will be shown in 176 countries around the world, through 87 separate broadcasters in Europe and the Asia Pacific regions.

Manchester United Receive Increase in Turnover from Quarterly Report

Manchester United today revealed their financial report for the first quarter of fiscal year ending June 2012 with a 16.6 per cent increase in total turnover.

The report measured the finances of the three months ending on September 30 2011.

Gross outstanding debt has also decreased from £516.7m ($819.3m) as of September 30, find 2010, buy cialis to £433.2m ($687m) on September 30, healing 2011.

Total turnover for the Red Football Group (holding company of Manchester United) during the three month period was up £10.5m ($16.6m) year-on-year from £63.3m ($100.5m) to £73.8m ($117m).

The figure included matchday revenue up 16.6 per cent from £19.7m ($31.2m) to £21.6m ($34.2m); media revenues up 16.5 per cent from £19.4m ($30.7m) to £22.6m ($35.8m) and commercial revenues up 22.3 per cent from £24.2m ($38.3m) to £29.6m ($49.6m).

However, total operating costs also increased year-on-year from £48.4m ($76.7m) to £54.5m ($86.4m).

The group said its commercial performance represented a “strong statement” of its financial position, with net assets of £804.8m ($1.27bn) and a cash balance of £65m ($103m).

The total spend on players during the period was up year-on-year from £8.2m ($13m) to £47.1m ($74.6m), with general capital expenditure up from £3.7m ($5.86m) to £13.8m ($21.8m).

The group recently earned approval for a partial flotation on the Singapore stock exchange.

Delayed as a result of the uncertain financial markets, the flotation is still expected to take place before the end of the year.

Dish Network to Broadcast Pac-12 Sports Coverage

The Pac-12 conference have finally reached a multi-year deal with the DIsh Network that makes Dish the only satellite provider to offer sports programming.

Pac-12 Networks, drug which opened football coverage Aug. 30, symptoms is televising 15 nonconference games and 20 Pac-12 games this season. Game broadcasts on Dish Network can be seen on channel 445. Moreover, Dish is offering Pac-12 Networks as a free preview for a limited time to customers.

The new agreement also provides DISH with exclusive category sponsorship for Pac-12 athletic programs. The sponsorship includes stadium signage and logo rights with each of the member schools including: 

“DISH is delighted to offer our customers more than 800 sporting events available on Pac-12 Networks each year, while giving them a great value,” said Dave Shull, DISH senior vice president of programming. “This is a great partnership with the Pac-12 that goes beyond the TV screen to the campuses in the form of an exclusive sponsorship to support the programs and the students.”

“DISH wanted to deliver Pac-12 Networks to its customers and our fans will benefit,” said Gary Stevenson, President of Pac-12 Enterprises. “DISH’s line-up and ability to offer Pac-12 fans nationwide access to an unprecedented number of live quality sporting events make this a huge day for DISH customers and Pac-12 fans.”

Designwerk Becomes Soccerex Design Supporter

Soccerex has announced the appointment of Designwerk as its new official design supporter.

The international creative agency has already worked with UEFA, the International Equestrian Federation, The America’s Cup Event Authority and Infront Sports and Media. Designwerk, which replaces Navyblue in the role, won the ‘Event Look’ category at the 2011 International Sports Event Management Awards for its work at this year’s UEFA Europa League Final, which was staged at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

David Wright, Soccerex’s Marketing Director said: “We spoke to a number of agencies but felt that Designwerk really understood what Soccerex was about and shared our vision going forward. Their campaigns are not only original but they demonstrate a real understanding of sports marketing and events, especially within the world of football.”

Wright stated: “On behalf of everyone at Soccerex, I would like to thank Geoff Nicol and all at Navyblue for their huge contribution to developing the Soccerex brand over the last 10 years. Without their help the brand would not be as strong as it is now. I am confident however, that in Designwerk we have the right agency to take the Soccerex brand to new heights.”

Christian Cook, creative director of Designwerk, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Soccerex. Their brand is synonymous with bringing football and business together; we will work with the team to ensure they not only remain leaders in their field but help them to grow in new territories around the world.”

CBC Get Broadcast Rights to Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Canada today announced that it has been awarded the host and domestic broadcast rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
The agreement further strengthens CBC/Radio-Canada’s commitment to broadcasting amateur sport in Canada while telling the story of talented Canadian athletes as they compete on the national, prostate intercontinental and world stage.

Broadcasting such a marquee sporting event fits perfectly into the mandate of the CBC as a modern public broadcaster and is in line with the promise made to Canadians in Strategy 2015.  The agreement ensures that Canadians will be able to enjoy comprehensive coverage in both official languages and on multiple platforms.  Specific broadcast details will be made available at a later date.

“We are pleased to have been selected to partner with Toronto 2015. This is more good news for Canadians and the amateur sport community across the country and we are thrilled to connect viewers with these Canadian athletes on home soil in advance of the games in Rio the following year, prostate ” said Jeffrey Orridge Executive Director, cialis Sports Properties CBC English Services. “As the host broadcaster, CBC/Radio-Canada will also bring the Pan/Parapan Am Games to the world, which positions us well for a revenue-positive outcome.”

Orridge sat down to briefly discuss CBC/Radio-Canada’s acquisition of the host and domestic broadcast rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games and what it means to Canadians. Video of that interview can be watched and shared.

“Sports represent an integral part of CBC/Radio-Canada’s mandate of reflecting every aspect of the life and culture of Canadians,” declared François Messier, Radio-Canada’s Sports director. “After the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, and one year before Rio 2016 Olympic Summer Games, the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto are part of a formidable sequence that is testimony to our commitment of offering the most meaningful competitions to Canadian viewers.”

“Our partnership with CBC/Radio Canada will ensure that the 2015 Games belong to all of Canada. In every region of the country, in both our official languages, in their commitment to communities and Canadian values, in their reflection of our diversity and dynamism, in so many ways…CBC/Radio Canada IS Canada,” said Ian Troop, CEO, TO2015. “Their commitment to bringing Canadians together and to promoting amateur sports makes them the ideal domestic broadcaster. And their unsurpassed reputation around the world makes them the perfect host broadcaster.”

The deal which includes English and French-language television, online, mobile and non-commercial radio rights for the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games (July 10–26) and the Parapan American Games (August 7–14) is anticipated to be revenue positive for the national public broadcaster.

The Pan/Parapan American Games are often considered a proving ground for Olympic hopefuls, offering viewers the chance to see athletes that will potentially be representing Canada in Rio the following year. The 2011 Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, featured 15 sports with either direct or indirect qualifying implications for London in 2012.