A new and improved US broadcast deal is predicted to be in place by mid-June by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to the body’s chief rights negotiator Richard Carrion.

Having postponed the US rights negotiations for more than a year due to the economic climate, the IOC is now making moves to reach an agreement in its most important market.

The US deal accounts for over half the IOC’s TV rights revenue, the body’s majority revenue stream with incumbent rights holder NBC, along with Fox and ESPN, expected to battle it out.

Carrion stated that he expects “probably three” networks to enter negotiations, revealing that he had held preliminary talks with all interested networks, adding the bidding contract documents are being finalised.

“The process should take six, seven weeks,” the head of the IOC’s finance commission told The Associated Press. “We’ll probably crank it up in May.”

The rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro are on the table, but Carrion has conceded that a mega-money bid for the next four editions is still a possibility.

He added: “Obviously this is about ’14 and ’16, but if a bidder wants to make a longer-term commitment and a longer-term deal, we are willing to look at that. These are always trade-offs that you make. It will be a minimum of two (Games), but it could turn out somebody makes a very compelling bid for four and we take it.”

The 2010-12 US Olympic broadcast contract with NBC is estimated to be worth around US$2bn, while parent company General Electric’s global sponsorship increased that figure by $200m. Stating that he expects those figures to be exceeded, Carrion added: “This is a unique product. This is a unique event. These guys are serious. They’re professionals. They’ll do their numbers. Hopefully, we’ll have a good result that will be good for both sides.”

Meanwhile, Carrion has hailed the new era of improved relations the IOC enjoys with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) amid talks over the thorny issue of a new revenue-sharing agreement.

With the USOC currently receiving 20 per cent of global sponsorship revenues and 12.75 per cent of US broadcast rights deals, talks are underway for a new deal to take effect from 2020 amid international disquiet over the current status quo.

The issue, allied to USOC’s ultimately aborted attempt to establish an Olympic Network, served to strain ties between the two bodies, but Carrion hailed the approach taken by the current USOC administration.

“I was not timid in the past to let know my feelings,” Carrion said. “I think they’re making a great, great effort. I think the relationship is very, very much improved. There’s a desire to get things done.” He added: “There’s a needle that still needs to get threaded. Everybody has their own point of view. But I can tell you the tone of the meetings is 100 per cent better.”

EURONICS, one of the leading buying groups in the German consumer electronics market, has renewed its partnership with Mercedes-Benz in the DTM Championship.

Since the start of the 2013 DTM season, EURONICS have been the main sponsors of the blue EURONICS Mercedes AMG C-Coupé with the yellow star driven by Gary Paffett. With 20 wins to his name, the Briton has achieved the most wins of any driver currently active in the DTM.

Benedict Kober, Member of the Board at EURONICS Deutschland eG: “This joint cooperation with Mercedes AMG in motor racing is a great success for EURONICS. Sponsorship increases awareness of our brand and gives it an emotional dimension.

“Of course, we would like to be higher up the standings this season, but that’s ultimately what makes motor racing so interesting, that it is very difficult to predict how the series is going to progress. The main point is that both EURONICS and Mercedes share the desire to always do their best and so, we will start the new 2015 season with that in mind.”

Wolfgang Schattling, Head of Motorsport Marketing Communications: “We aim to develop long-term partnerships in the DTM and are delighted to continue our successful cooperation with EURONICS next year. EURONICS is a strong brand whose values ​​perfectly fit our own.

“Having the best possible technology and being passionate about always doing your best play a key role both in motor racing and in the consumer electronics market. I am certain that we will be able to implement more exciting joint projects in our third year to our mutual benefit.”

As expected the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup final match between India and Sri Lanka picked up a huge average rating of 23.2 with a peak rating of 35.91.

More than 120 million viewers sampled the match, which delivered an All India reach of 61 per cent, according to Tam ratings for All India  CS 4+ TG.

Not surprisingly, the finals’ rating also surpassed the 21 TVR garnered by the high profile India-Pakistan semi-final match, which was sampled by 115 million viewers.

Overall, the average TVR for the 2011 World Cup was 3.86 as compared to the 2.02 TVR in 2007 edition when India was knocked out of the tournament in the first round.

The nine India matches, which includes the quarter final, semi-final and finals, delivered an average TVR of 12.

By the end of the finals the live matches were watched by 180 million viewers on Star Sports, Star Cricket and DD Sports combined, which is 90 per cent of the total CS viewers, while the live matches being watched only on ESS is 166.2 million viewers, which is 84 per cent of the total CS viewers.

Sporting goods retailer Sports Authority has agreed to be the title sponsor for the 2014 Mountain West Football Championship.

The announcement was made today by league officials and Learfield Sports, a multimedia rights and sponsorship sales partner for the conference.

This marks the first time a title sponsor has been named for the championship game, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Sports Authority on board as title sponsor-a premier, national brand that shares our love of sports,” said Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson. “We value the support of Sports Authority and look forward to the football championship.”

“We are thrilled to sponsor the Mountain West Football Championship and continue to engage recreational athletes and families with the Sports Authority brand,” said Michael E. Foss, Chief Executive Officer of Sports Authority. “Sports Authority believes in bringing together communities through the power of play and we encourage everyone to discover the good in sports.”

The Mountain West Football Championship will feature the winners of the Mountain Division and West Division, which each consists of six teams.

The German broadcast rights for the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour Masters 1000 and World Tour 500 tournaments have been acquired by Sport1 until 2013.

Excluding the German Open in Hamburg, apoplectic |  Sport1 has bought the multimedia TV, ailment online and mobile rights from ATP Media, check enabling them to exclusively show live coverage and highlights of all ATP World Tour 1000 and 500 events.

The channel is planning on broadcasting over 400 hours of live tennis a year under the new agreement, with all Masters 1000 tournaments to be aired on pay-tv channel Sport1+ and Sport1+ HD, with selected matches on free-to-air TV on Sport1 and finals available online at Sport1.de.

Sport1 already holds the rights to other tennis tournaments including the Davis Cup competition and the BMW Open, an ATP World Tour 250 event.

Chief editor of Sport1 Alexander Rösner stated: “With the exclusive transmission rights to the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and 500 events, Sport1 now has the most important international tournaments after the Grand Slams in its schedule. From now on we’re giving tennis fans in Germany the chance to follow world-class tennis live on the various Sport1 platforms.”

Steve Plasto, chief executive of ATP Media added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome a new broadcast partner in Sport1. The ATP World Tour will now have extensive coverage in Germany, and we look forward to building a long term partnership with the Sport1 team.”

Big Bash League (BBL) team Sydney Sixers have extended their partnership with pet care company Nestlé Purina Pet Care for the next three years as Major Partner, story working with Purina Supercoat as the master brand.

After successfully launching the partnership in BBL|03 through RUFFS, prostate the Purina branded dog treats, Purina Supercoat has taken over the major property, as well as the attention of the Sixers furry little family of dogs.

“63% of households across Australia have pets and the Sixers family is no different,” said Sixers General Manager Dom Remond.

“Purina Supercoat is a great fit for the Sixers. We have a strong affinity with families and half our players have pets at home, so it’s a brand with which we can all identify.

“We are really looking forward to working with Purina Supercoat at our match days, community activations and through our social media channels and helping better educate our Members and fans about the care of their furry family members.”

David Grant, General Manager of Purina Australia, says “Purina is excited to have the Supercoat brand supporting the Sixers. Supercoat and the Sixers both share a love of dogs and cats and a desire to promote the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle for all the family! We look forward to supporting the team over the next 3 years.”

– See more at: http://www.sydneysixers.com.au/news/2014/10/19/sydney-sixers-sign-with-supercoat#sthash.SIK1Py3d.dpuf

European soccer’s governing body UEFA has announced that ZDF and Sky Deutschland have been awarded broadcast rights for the 2012-15 UEFA Champions League in Germany. The body also confirmed today, April 5, that Sky Deutschland has also been awarded media rights for the 2012-15 UEFA Europa League.

Free-to-air broadcaster ZDF joins the UEFA Champions League broadcasters, securing the rights to show live coverage of one game per matchweek including the Saturday final and the UEFA Super Cup. The conclusion of the live match programme will also feature a brief round-up of the night’s UEFA Champions League action.

Pay television operator Sky Deutschland has acquired the rights to broadcast all UEFA Champions League games on a live and delayed basis as well as the rights for Tuesday and Wednesday highlights programmes.

In addition, Sky Deutschland’s successful acquisition of the UEFA Europa League encompasses all matches on a live and delayed basis as well as highlights. This acquisition by Sky Deutschland, combined with that of the UEFA Champions League, guarantees comprehensive coverage of all German teams in European competitions across the Sky Deutschland platform.

In line with UEFA’s platform-neutral approach, the rights will also be exploited on the internet via ZDF’s website www.zdf.de and via Sky Deutschland’s website www.sky.de as well as through their respective mobile portals.

Commenting on the award of UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League media rights, UEFA said: “UEFA is delighted to announce ZDF as its future free-to-air rights holder in Germany. The ZDF deal will ensure great access to the competition for football fans throughout the country.

“UEFA is also pleased to announce the incumbent pay television operator Sky Deutschland as its partner through to 2015 for both competitions. Sky Deutschland’s commitment to high quality production as well as comprehensive matchnight coverage continues to be a key element of European football coverage in Germany.”

ZDF’s free-to-air rights acquisition means that they have replaced holder Sat1’s commitment throughout the current term, which concludes at the end of the 2011/12 season.

TGIB Marketing, Inc., parent company of golf retailer Rock Bottom Golf, just announced a new endorsement deal with pro golfer, John Daly. 

“Daly is the ideal partner for Rock Bottom Golf! He’s a down-to-earth guy, and we’ve carved out a niche in the industry for make golfing fun and affordable for the average Joe,” Tom Rath, president Rock Bottom Golf says. “It’s a great match, and we think he will help to bring golf to an even wider audience.”

With two major wins under his belt – the PGA Championship and the British Open – Daly is mostly known for his driving distance off the tee, earning him the nickname “Long John.” He’s also garnered attention for his free-wheeling attitude and involvement with numerous charitable organizations, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced today, generic April 5, that it is increasing its live online coverage of ties in the 2011 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.

The World Group II play-offs have been added to the list of ties that will feature on the official Fed Cup website, FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es, on 16-17 April.

A total of nine ties will now be covered live in English and Spanish during the weekend, highlighted by the World Group semifinals between Russia and Italy in Moscow, and Belgium and Czech Republic in Charleroi.

There are also four ties in the World Group play-offs, and three ties in the World Group II play-offs, with the remaining World Group II play-off between Japan and Argentina postponed until 16-17 July.

Live scoring will be available for all ties, while both websites will also feature reports, blogs, photographs, audio interviews and full results. There is also the Fed Cup Radio audio service. Additional on-line coverage will be available via the Fed Cup twitter and Facebook pages in both English and Spanish.

Team nominations for next week’s ties will be announced on Wednesday 6 April, with the draws held on Friday 15 April.

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 90 nations entered in 2011.

Dustless Blasting sponsored Sunoco Rookie of the Year contender Alex Bowman and his No.23 BK Racing Toyota Camry during this weekend’s Geico 500 Talladega Superspeedway.

“We’re very excited to support Alex Bowman and BK Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.” said Benny LeCompte, owner of MMLJ Inc. “Much like Bowman; Dustless Blasting has made a monumental rise over the last few years, and has an extremely bright future ahead of it. We are excited to give our customers, many of whom are NASCAR fans, something to cheer for at Talladega this weekend.”

“We are always excited to welcome new companies into the sport,” said team owner Ron Devine. “The product offerings from Dustless Blasting can be used by the everyday do-it-yourselfer and the professional. We know anything can happen at Talladega, so we are hoping to have a great finish.”

“It’s always exciting to have a sponsor return,” said Bowman. “I am a car guy myself so I look forward to not only representing them on the track but also using their products with my own personal cars.”