FIFA have announced it has extended its broadcast rights agreement with Brazilian broadcaster Globo for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.

The agreement with Brazil’s largest media company covers cable, cough satellite, terrestrial, mobile and broadband internet transmission across the country.

“Globo’s strength in distribution across such a vast territory as Brazil ensures the tournament can be followed by as many people as possible, and this was the determining factor in our decision to extend the agreement with Globo,” said Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General.

“For more than 40 years, FIFA and Globo have developed a very fruitful partnership which has led to significant rewards for both of us. During all these years, FIFA has succeeded in making football the most popular sport with a huge audience all over the world and Globo is very proud of being part of it. The most important thing to Globo is to allow our viewers to be part of the tournaments as if they were on the pitch themselves. For that reason, we are proud to extend this partnership,” said Globo Chairman and CEO Roberto Irineu Marinho.

Globo, a FIFA broadcast partner since 1970, has committed to unprecedented presence and coverage levels of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ onwards, including free TV coverage as agreed between the two parties and in line with FIFA distribution policies.

Globo is among the largest broadcasters in the world and is an innovator in football production that consistently provides Brazilian football fans with the best possible images and applications.

by Ismail Uddin

Former FIFA president Joao Havelange expects Brazilian Football Confederation president Ricardo Teixeira to seek the FIFA presidency in five years time.

In an interview with the Brazilian sports daily, Lance, Havelange said he talked Teixeira out of running for the presidency next year and advised him that it would be best to wait until 2015, after Brazil have hosted the World Cup.

Havelange said he believed that Sepp Blatter would be re-elected as FIFA president next June. Blatter was Havelange’s right-hand man at FIFA and served as secretary general for many years.

Havelange, 94, was FIFA president between 1974 and 1998, and is credited with revolutionising the organisation, from a Euro-centric amateurish governing body to a multi-billion global powerhouse.

Teixeira is chairman of the 2014 World Cup organising committee as well as being head of the confederation (CBF). Havelange insisted a successful tournament would prove his credentials for the top job at FIFA.

“Ricardo is dedicated, has 30 years experience,” said Havelange. “He would be a good president having administered the CBF. I think that would be justice in 2015.

“With a well organised tournament, he will demonstrate the ability to organize to FIFA. It is the opportunity of being present on the world stage.”

Teixeira was married to Havelange’s daughter Lucia Havelange for nearly 30 years, and they have a son together. Although they divorced in 1997, Teixeira, who was considered the protégé of the former FIFA president, is believed to be still close to him.

Despite his age, Havelange is still regarded as a hugely important figure in world sport. His behind-the-scenes work for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic bid was considered to be a crucial factor behind the IOC’s decision to award the Games to the Brazilian city in Copenhagen last October.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) and South African Rugby Union (SARU) have announced the appointment of SuperSport as Host Broadcaster of the IRB Junior World Championship 2012, which kicks off in South Africa on June 4.

The leading Rugby broadcaster will deliver a record 30 matches live for global broadcasters, over double the number produced last year, underscoring the IRB’s commitment to furthering the global profile of one of Rugby’s premier annual international Age Grade events.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We are delighted to be working with SuperSport to deliver record coverage of the IRB Junior World Championship, which has become a hugely anticipated and exciting fixture on the global Rugby calendar. SuperSport are recognised as market leaders in Rugby and sports production in South Africa and their unprecedented commitment to the JWC will ensure unparalleled coverage of an event which continues to grow in both stature and appeal.”

Last year’s edition in Italy smashed previous record broadcast and online coverage for an Age Grade Rugby tournament, and was screened live by 19 broadcasters to 142 countries with a global potential reach of more than 174 million homes. The cumulative total of live coverage for the three-week tournament was projected to be 280 hours in 18 languages.

The 12-team tournament brings together the future stars of world Rugby, with more than 110 players making their senior Test debut in the past four years after appearing in the showcase event. With three back to back matches per venue on each of the five match days, intense and competitive action and a host of talented players on show, the JWC is now a proven hit for both broadcasters and fans as well as the participating unions.

With just under 100 days to go until the tournament kicks off, preparations are gathering pace and Tournament Organisers are confident that the event will take the IRB Junior World Championship to new heights.

“I am confident that preparations are on track to deliver an outstanding IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa. The IRB and SARU share a vision of a tournament that will capture the imagination of the players, fans and the global Rugby family while leaving a lasting legacy of participation and interest,” said SARU President and IRB Vice Chairman Oregan Hoskins.

“We are proud to be hosting what is one of the world’s leading Rugby events. The appointment of SuperSport as Host Broadcaster reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class tournament for players, spectators and a global television audience.”

“Rugby fans in South Africa are knowledgeable and passionate, and we can promise a memorable experience for everyone attending the tournament, and we are sure SuperSport will capture the unique and thrilling atmosphere that the event will generate.”

by Ismail Uddin

This unlikely affiliation has arisen thanks to Robert Rich, ed | a Florida based tycoon who has more than lived up to his name to become the 488th richest man in America.

Rich was researching his family tree when he discovered his roots stemmed from the town of Bedlington, a revelation which him acquire the title ‘Lord of Bedlington’.

Now the tycoon, who oversees a US $2.8bn frozen food empire, is keen to give the town a sporting chance by supporting the local club.

This has seen Rich reseed the teams pitch, sponsor the team shirts and even ship a $49k scoreboard from the States.

The club hope to acquire a cult following in the US by striking a merchandising deal that could pick up on the growing presence of football over the pond.

UEFA have re-appointed sports media services company, drugs Deltatre, denture  to provide the UEFA Champions League results and broadcast services until 2015 and will continue providing UEFA with solutions to deliver a great football experience to football fans around the world.

Under the new agreement, adiposity deltatre will provide a range of services, including live data gathering, TV graphics, official print-outs, commentator information systems, stadium giant screens and hospitality TV feeds.

“Deltatre has been supporting UEFA since 1994, managing more than 2,000 Champions League matches. In a fast-evolving market this long-lasting relationship is even more valuable and shows that the constant search for innovations and the high reliability of our services are at the base of a successful partnership,” said Giampiero Rinaudo, deltatre CEO and Founder.

“We are delighted to have been re-appointed and to continue our journey with UEFA with the aim of helping them stay ahead of the game. Projects such as the upgrade of our results system (MaTRICS), the construction of 16 brand-new digital sports vans and the provision of HD stereoscopic graphics are perfectly in line with this philosophy.”

Daniel Marion, UEFA Head of Information & Communication Technology, commented: “UEFA is always looking for the latest technology to provide fans and professionals with the best and most accurate football experience and we have chosen to re-confirm deltatre not only because of their long-lasting experience on delivering these services but also because they have proven themselves capable of providing cutting-edge technology.”

by Ismail Uddin

Wie die „Zeit“ berichtet hat sich Mobilfunkbetreiber Vodafone frühzeitig aus dem Bieterwettkampf um die Übertragungsrechte für die Fußball-Bundesliga verabschiedet. „Nach reiflicher Überlegung haben wir vorletzte Woche entschieden, nicht als strategischer Bieter aufzutreten”, wird Vodafones Deutschland-Chef Friedrich Joussen in der WirtschaftsWoche zitiert.

Joussen hält die Fußballrechte für maßlos überbewertet und spricht von einem “weit verbreiteten Irrglauben”. Die Rechte seien “viel zu teuer, um sich auf Vollkostenbasis zu tragen”. Die Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) erwartet bis zum 2. April Angebote der Unternehmen, die an der Übertragung der Bundesliga ab der Saison 2013/2014 interessiert sind. Bis spätestens Mitte April sollen die Rechte für knapp 500 Millionen Euro vergeben werden.

Gegenüber dem Magazin „Sponsors“ äußerte sich Joussen, dass auch andere Anbieter wie Bezahlsender Sky, der „eine dreistellige Millionensumme für das Live-Übertragungsrecht verteilt auf ein, zwei oder drei Millionen Pay-TV-Kunden“ ausgibt, es seiner Meinung nach nicht schaffen, eine Rendite auf den Erwerb von Fußballrechten zu erwirtschaften. „Als Ergebnis sehen Sie tiefrote Zahlen“, sagt Joussen. „Die Fußballrechte sind viel zu teuer, um sich auf Vollkostenbasis zu tragen.“ 

Vodafone plant in Deutschland vielmehr eine andere Strategie, verrät der Vodafone-Chef. Der Mobilfunkanbieter wolle „36 Millionen Haushalte in Deutschland“ ansprechen, für die Fußball nicht so entscheidend ist, und habe daher unter anderem „Verträge mit eigentlich allen großen Hollywood-Studios abgeschlossen“. 

Doch auch Bewegtbilder der Bundesliga im eigenen Programm hält er nach wie vor nicht für ausgeschlossen: Nach Abschluss der Ausschreibung will Joussen mit den neuen Rechtehaltern über mögliche Kooperationen verhandeln. Als möglicher Kandidat zur Sublizenzierung von Bundesligarechten gilt Sky. Deutschland-Chef Brian Sullivan hatte sich jüngst offen gezeigt, mit anderen interessierten Plattformanbietern zusammenzuarbeiten.

Fans pressure group Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) says it wants to build partnerships with brands looking to “connect directly with fans” after Sharp agreed to sponsor the latest alternative team shirt.

The group, health which wants to force a change of ownership of the club, cialis wants Sharp to be part of a portfolio of alternative partners keen to align themselves with fans rather than the club’s owner, prostate the Glazer family.

Manchester-based consumer and professional electronics maker Sharp, which sponsored Manchester United from 1982 to 2000, will lend its name to a new alternative green and gold team shirt. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will go to the Prostate Cancer Charity.

Must hopes that the shirt and other alternative merchandise will take revenue away from the club’s current owner. MUST is angry at the £700m debt the US family has saddled the club with.

As well as signing alternative backers, the group will continue to lobby official sponsors such as Aon and Nike.

A spokesman for the group says: “In effect we’re asking them [existing sponsors] and potential sponsors to choose between the fans or the Glazers.”

The Sharp partnership follows a recent agreement with another former Manchester United sponsor Betfred.

The green and gold top is the second alternative team shirt to be released. Proceeds from the first went to the British Heart Foundation.

The San Jose Earthquakes are set to receive a boost of TV exposure this year thanks to an expanded broadcasting deal.

The Major League Soccer team said all 34 of its regular-season games this season are slated to be televised, cough the first time since the club was re-born in 2008.

Comcast SportsNet will televise 29 games regionally this season. In addition, NBC Sports Network will carry four games nationally, and ESPN2 will broadcast one game across the U.S.

Two of the games on Comcast this year will also appear nationally on Galavisión, a Spanish-language cable network, the Quakes said.

The team described its broadcasting deal with Comcast as the “most comprehensive regional television schedule in the team’s history.”

Last season, Comcast showed 23 Quakes games and ESPN2 aired one, said Frank Stranzl, a team spokesman.

by Ismail Uddin

English soccer club, Sheffield Wednesday have suffered a major setback in their battle against a High Court winding-up petition after the major financier in a proposed takeover withdrew his interest.

The club is due in court on November 17 over their debts to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, with a fear of going into administration should no takeover be completed before that date.

A deal looked likely when the club announced three weeks ago that £2million of funding was to be advanced by a consortium led by Kevin Mundie, a senior executive at Certified Oilfield Rentals, which was seen as heralding a full takeover to follow.

But a spokesman for Mundie told the Yorkshire Post: “For business and personal reasons which are wholly unconnected with the club, Kevin Mundie and COR have regrettably felt they must withdraw from further involvement in the proposed purchase.

“Other consortium members are continuing to discuss further involvement and a statement will be made shortly.”

The Co-operative Bank had provided £800,000 to stave off a previous winding-up petition against Wednesday in September.

Former chairman Dave Allen, now majority shareholder at Chesterfield, says he is prepared to give up his 9.5% holding in Wednesday for nothing and also waive interests on his loans to the club as they bid to push through a deal.

He said: “If I get the £1.5m I loaned to the club back, without interest, I will give them my shares. In total, I’m owed about £2.4m but I’m prepared to take £1.5m.”