Leading European sports broadcaster Eurosport has partnered with Panasonic and Fédération Française de Tennis (FFT) to roll out live broadcast of the French Tennis Open at Roland Garros in 3D.

Broadcasters Swisscom in Switzerland and Canal Digital, operating in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, have already been confirmed to carry the 3D signal.

Laurent-Eric Le Lay, CEO and Chairman of Eurosport, stated: “Eurosport is committed to providing fans with the best sports entertainment experience. Bringing the French Tennis Open live in 3D directly to consumers’ homes is the best way to demonstrate how the combination of compelling content and new technology greatly enhances sports viewing.

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Panasonic and the Fédération Française de Tennis to make 3D sports viewing across Europe a mainstream reality.”

Laurent Abadie, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Europe said: “In the past year a wide range of 3D technology has become available; an increasing amount of content has been created; and new broadcast 3D channels have been launched – it is clear that 2011 is the year this revolutionary technology will become mainstream. We have worked closely with the FFT to ensure that in 2011, as many tennis fans as possible can recreate the thrilling experience of being at the tournament, in their homes in 3D.”

Michel Grach, Media and Sponsorship Director, Fédération Française de Tennis, added: “Roland Garros is one of the most historic international sporting events in the world. We are committed to constant innovation to make sure tennis fans across Europe can get the closest experience possible to actually being here in Paris to view this momentous event.

“From the extremely positive feedback about the 3D broadcast into retail stores last year, it is clear that 3D technology truly recreates the immersive experience of being court-side, on the television set. By working closely with expert technology partners such as Panasonic and Eurosport, we are delighted to be able to deliver this year’s tournament into consumers’ living rooms live in 3D and therefore allow people who cannot be court-side to feel the passion of such exciting event. It will add yet another dimension to what promises to be an incredible sporting event.”

Sentient Jet, a Directional Aviation Capital company, has announced that it has been named the Official Private Jet Partner of the 16th-annual Hero World Challenge.

The event is co-sponsored by the PGA TOUR and will take place Dec. 3-7, 2014 at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Fla. Viewers will have the opportunity to watch five-time champion and host Tiger Woods, defending champion Zach Johnson, 2014 Masters Tournament winner Bubba Watson and an impressive roster of players compete for a share of the $3.5 million purse.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Hero World Challenge this year. The tournament’s strong history and heritage paired with its steadfast commitment to providing college opportunities for low-income students has made it an ideal venue to support these worthy causes and we are honored to be a part of this exciting event,” Andrew Collins, president of Sentient Jet said.

Sentient Jet will be donating a $20,000 Flight Card to the Hero World Challenge Gala to benefit the college-access programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation and the Tavistock Foundation. 

In addition to the donation, Sentient will be Presenting Sponsor of the Celebrity-Am Pairings Luncheon and will host the “Sentient Jet Lounge” during the tournament. The Celebrity-Am Pairings Luncheon is Tuesday, Dec. 2 and attendees include celebrity guests and pro-am participants. The “Sentient Jet Lounge” will be located at the 19th Hole Patio of the Isleworth Clubhouse and will be open to all VIP Sponsor guests. The lounge will offer guests an area to relax and enjoy a glass of champagne, tournament cocktail or their choice beverage. Sentient is also engaged with members of Isleworth Golf & Country Club and Lake Nona Golf & Country Club through various promotional and marketing activities.

The Hero World Challenge is a four-round, 72-hole stroke-play event with a $3.5 million purse and players competing for a $1 million winner’s share. The unique showcase, which awards Official World Golf Ranking points, will be held at the challenging par-72, 7,354-yard Isleworth Golf & Country Club for the first time in the tournament’s 16-year history.

The 2014 elite 18-player field includes Henrik Stenson, Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Bubba Watson, Jason Day, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, Tiger Woods, Zach Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Jimmy Walker, Hideki Matsuyama, Hunter Mahan, Chris Kirk, Steve Stricker and Keegan Bradley.

UEFA have announced the award of media rights packages to free-to-air broadcaster ORF for the 2012-15 UEFA Europa League and to pay television operator Sky Österreich for comprehensive coverage of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League seasons 2012-15 in Austria.

The recent award of certain media rights for the UEFA Champions League to PULS 4 means that the deals conclude the sale of media rights for UEFA club competitions in Austria.

ORF secured the rights to broadcast live coverage of one match per matchweek including the UEFA Europa League final, as well as highlights on ORFeins.

In addition, where there is a second Austrian team participating, ORF will broadcast the match live on the same channel.

Sky Österreich has renewed its rights for 2012-15 to broadcast all UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League matches as well as highlights across its pay platform.

In line with UEFA’s platform-neutral approach, the rights will also be exploited on the internet via ORF and Sky Österreich’s respective websites as well as via their mobile portals.

FISU, viagra cheap the International University Sports Federation, cheap has announced swiss watch maker Tissot as the Official Timekeeper of the 27^th Winter Universiade in 2015. 

Tissot continues to sponsor the body after partnering with the 2013 editions in Kazan, Russia (Summer) and Trentino, Italy (Winter) with a new partnership for the 2015 Winter Universiade, jointly held in Granada, Spain and Strbske Pleso/Osrblie, Slovakia (Nordic sports & biathlon). 

As Official Timekeeper of the 27th Winter Universiade, Tissot will provide Timing, Scoring, On-Venue Results, Web Results, and Accreditation services, as well as provision of the corresponding equipment by Swiss Timing.

Quote Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary-General/CEO, said:“FISU and its unique community of student-athletes worldwide always aim at Excellence and Precision as its long-term partner, Tissot. Therefore, we are glad to collaborate with Tissot and Swiss Timing for this 27th Winter Universiade.”

Quote François Thiébaud, President of Tissot, commented: “The Universiades reflect the Tissot spirit perfectly by its diversity and the incredible dynamism it projects. They are the biggest international multi-sport events for student athletes, where the brightest stars of tomorrow compete. We are very proud to be able to provide them with fairness and equality through ultimate precision timekeeping.”

The 27th Winter Universiade will take place from 24 January to 1 February, 2015 in Strbske Pleso/Osrlbie, Slovakia for Nordic skiing and biathlon, and from 4 to 14 February in Granada, Spain for alpine skiing, snowboarding, curling, figure skating, short track speed skating and ice hockey. Some 2,500 participants from 50 countries are expected to take part in the event.

Eurosport.com has announced that it has achieved an historical first across the ‘Big 5’ strategic European markets, taking podium places compared to other sports content portals in Italy (1), UK (2), Germany (2), France (3) and Spain (3), according to March’s comScore results.

The feat is a first for the company since launch in 1999.

In the same month, eurosport.com also recorded a total of 15.8 million UVs – the second highest figure after the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals in June. On a worldwide basis, Eurosport’s online network achieved 20.3 million UVs with notable audience increases in the MENA region and North America.

Arnaud Maillard, New Media Director, Eurosport, stated: “These results show the power of the Eurosport.com sports brand in Europe and beyond. Fans from all over the world come to our site not by chance but by choice, and we will keep improving our online offer to strengthen our digital footprint and build on these excellent results.”

The Pac-10 Conference, order soon to be Pac-12 following the additions of the University of Utah and the University of Colorado, order  has agreed a lucrative 12-year extension with Fox and ESPN for the broadcast rights of its college sports in a deal worth almost US$3bn.

Fox and ESPN will continue to share the rights to college football and men’s basketball games, viagra with ESPN also able to show some Olympic sports, notably athletics.

Under the terms of the agreement, both networks will receive about 22 football games per season, although ESPN will broadcast the majority of basketball matches.

The contract will come into effect as of the 2012-13 season with Fox and ESPN reportedly paying an estimated $250m a year, marking a huge increase on the current media rights package it holds with the networks, worth less than $60m annually.

It is believed that ESPN will show its games on cable, ESPNU and ABC, with Fox set to air its matches on cable network FX, as well as its broadcast network and the Fox Sports Net regional networks.

Korea’s extensive SBS broadcast network has renewed its agreement with the OneAsia golf tour for the next five years after coverage of OneAsia events commenced on Korea’s largest dedicated golf channel early in 2010.

This exclusive new agreement will now see all events on the OneAsia calendar showcased LIVE with coverage reaching the country’s over 13.5 million households, with programming made available on both cable and satellite on the SBS Golf Channel, as well as on SBS Terrestrial.

Daily LIVE broadcasts of a minimum of 3 hours will be made available through all tournament days per event, and fans will be be kept up to date with delayed telecasts, news reports and highlights.

“Korea is one of the most exciting markets for golf with so much potential yet to be seen,” said Sang Y Chun, Chairman & Commissioner, OneAsia.

“Many young and promising Korean players have emerged on OneAsia this year and we are delighted that this deal will continue to guarantee them consistent exposure both internationally, as well as back home where their biggest supporters are.”

Hong Seong Wan, President, SBS, added: “We have followed the phenomenal progress of OneAsia this season and we are pleased to be able to continue providing compelling content for our ardent golf viewers in Korea.”

Consulting services company McGladrey LLP has retained its title sponsorship of PGA Tour event The McGladrey Classic until 2020. 

McGladrey has sponsored the event since its inception in 2010.

The announcement was made today by PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, cheap McGladrey Managing Partner and CEO Joe Adams, treat and Davis Love III, pills whose foundation serves as the tournament host organization, during a press conference at Sea Island Golf Club, where The McGladrey Classic begins Thursday on the Seaside Course. McGladrey’s current three-year sponsorship agreement expires at the conclusion of the 2015 tournament.

“Through the efforts of Davis Love, his foundation and the commitment by McGladrey, The McGladrey Classic has quickly established itself as an outstanding tournament on the PGA TOUR,” Finchem said. “Between the beautiful resort setting and unique atmosphere at Sea Island, The McGladrey Classic has become very popular among the players.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the tournament has grown in such a short period of time and the impact it has had on the surrounding area through its economic and charitable support. We are excited to announce McGladrey’s renewal and look forward to working together on the continued success of the tournament.”

“From its inception in 2010, the purpose of The McGladrey Classic for McGladrey has been threefold: drive brand recognition, build upon our relationships with clients and potential clients and, most importantly, give back to the community,” Adams said. “The tournament has done all that – and more. Our business philosophy is based on the belief that the real power of any relationship comes through understanding, which leads to partnerships based on integrity and trust. Our belief is that, whether in the world of business or in the world of golf, a trusted advisor who ‘understands your game’ can help you make the right decisions to succeed.”