National Basketball Association (NBA) side Miami Heat has started legal action against Clear Channel Broadcasting over claims that the broadcaster is favouring National Football League (NFL) team Miami Dolphins.

The Heat had signed a contract with Clear Channel giving the team a “priority broadcast position” on the company’s Miami radio stations, and claims the broadcaster is in breach of that contract after agreeing a “more favourable” deal with the Dolphins.

The Dolphins’ contract means its games are broadcast on the “extremely powerful station” of WBGG-FM as well as on WINZ-AM, both owned by Clear Channel.

Heat now faces having its next game on 31 October blacked out by Clear Channel as the Dolphins will be playing at the same time.

Clear Channel said it was “not willing to provide the Heat with any of the more beneficial material terms granted to the Dolphins.”

Newbury Racecourse announced today that it will be moving forward under the ‘Newbury Racecourse’ brand and discontinuing use of ‘The Racecourse Newbury’.

Julian Thick, order CEO of Newbury Racecourse, capsule said: “As we embark on an important chapter in our history, pills I am pleased that we will be doing so under the banner of Newbury Racecourse. The business is performing well and with the redevelopment now well underway, I am confident about the future.”   

He added: “The Racecourse Newbury name was part of a wider project to wrap up all the elements of the site here, and whilst there was solid logic behind it as an over-arching brand, it has not proved popular with our customers and other stakeholder groups, so we have made the decision to use Newbury Racecourse from now on.”

Whilst some elements of the rebranding to Newbury Racecourse have been completed already, the whole change-over on site will take place on a gradual basis over the next few months.

The Buffalo Bills are set to exchange hands after Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula agreed to be only the second ever owners of the storied NFL franchise.

The estate of longtime Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who died earlier this year, reached an deal on Tuesday to sell the NFL franchise to the NHL team owners.

Terry Pegula, 63, a natural gas development and real estate mogul, has been a popular figure in Buffalo for his commitment to keep the franchise in western New York state.

The price tag for the Bills was not revealed although multiple reports suggest the deal is worth $1.4 billion, more than the $1.05 billion truck-stop magnate Jim Haslam paid for the Cleveland Browns in 2012.

“Kim and I are humbled and honored that the Wilson family has chosen us to be the second owner of the Buffalo Bills.  Pending the NFL approval process, being the next owner of the Buffalo Bills would be a great privilege for our family. 

“Ralph Wilson left an indelible mark on our community and we will strive every day to honor his legacy.

“Our interest in owning the Bills has everything to do with the people of Western New York and our passion for football.  We have knowledgeable, dedicated fans here and along with our ownership of the Buffalo Sabres, it is gratifying to reassure these great fans that two franchises so important to our region are both here to stay.”

The team was put up for sale when Wilson, the franchise’s founding owner, died in March at the age of 95.

Among the unsuccessful bidders was singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi, who was part of an ownership group from Toronto, where the Bills play some of their home games.

“On behalf of myself, Larry Tanenbaum and Edward Rogers, we wish Terry and Kim Pegula all the best as they continue the legacy and tradition of the Buffalo Bills and the Wilson family,” he said.

“This is a very important day in the history of the Buffalo Bills franchise,” Bills controlling owner Mary Wilson said in a statement.

“Ralph brought professional football to Buffalo in 1959 and it was his life’s passion. He loved his team and he cherished the fans and his legacy will remain for all time.

“Ralph would have been pleased with the sale of the team to the Terry Pegula family, who has been so committed to Buffalo and the Western New York region.”

The NFL could approve the transaction during the owners’ fall meeting on Oct. 8 in New York City.

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Ray Whelan, a company director of FIFA partner Match Hospitality, has been labelled a ‘fugitive’ after going on the run following his arrest by Brazilian police as part of an investigation into allegations of illegal ticket sales at the World Cup.

Whelan was one of 11 people arrested last week. He was later released without charge but had to surrender his passport as investigations continued.

Now the authorties in Brazil say he has escaped from his hotel in Rio de Janeiro – and is being treated as a fugitive as they looked to re-arrest him.

Police investigator Fabio Barucke said that Whelan left the Copacabana Palace hotel shortly before police arrived to re-arrest him.

“He’s now considered a fugitive,” Barucke said. “We have security camera images of him exiting the hotel through a service door.”

On Monday, Whelan was detained at the Copacabana Palace by police who seized tickets for World Cup matches; he was released early on Tuesday.

Match Hospitality denied any wrongdoing by Whelan and said he was willing to cooperate with any investigation, confident that it would exonerate him of any wrongdoing.

Jaime Byrom, executive chairman of Match, and Whelan’s brother-in-law, said: “Notwithstanding our belief that the action taken against Mr Whelan was illegal and baseless, MATCH Services and I personally remain totally committed to assist the authorities in FIFA’s fight against illegal ticket sales.”

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The International Cycling Union (UCI) has named Rock Hill, South Carolina as the host of the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships, the first time in 16 years the event has been staged in the United States.

The 2017 event at the Novant Health BMX Supercross Track.

The UCI BMX World Championship has not been held on American soil since 2001, when Louisville, Ky., played host. Three-thousand amateur and 300 pro racers are expected to compete in the world championship, which will be held July 26-30, 2017, with practice days on July 24-25.

“The return of the UCI BMX World Championships to the United States in 2017 will mark the first time these championships have been held on American home soil since BMX was added to the Olympic Games,” said USA Cycling President and CEO Steve Johnson. “The Rock Hill facility is home to one of the world’s finest BMX tracks; and the local organizing committee staff and community leaders have worked tirelessly to secure this bid and we congratulate them on the success of their efforts.”

A bid launched by the city of Rock Hill about three months ago culminated in the awarding of the world championship by the UCI.

“Rock Hill is thrilled to be selected to host the 2017 BMX World Championships, joining a list of great cities like Birmingham, Auckland, and Rotterdam,” said Rock Hill’s City Manager David Vehaun. “Hosting the world championships solidifies Rock Hill’s commitment as a premier cycling destination.”

Rock Hill’s BMX Supercross track is expected to open in August and already has several events scheduled for late 2014.

Panini America, health the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, ampoule has announced that it has signed NFL prospect, sickness Heisman Trophy Winner and former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel to a multiyear agreement.

The deal will include his first NFL-licensed Rookie Cards including autographed trading cards. In addition, Johnny Manziel will join Panini as an exclusive athlete for autographed memorabilia through Panini Authentic, the autograph and memorabilia division of Panini America.

Manziel joins other exclusive Panini Authentic athletes including NBA superstars Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving and NFL stars Andrew Luck and EJ Manuel.

Manziel’s first NFL Rookie Cards and autographed cards will arrive in the May release of Panini America’s 2014 Score Football, where he will debut on NFL licensed product packaging as a Panini athlete. Panini will also have some other unique plans for collectors of Johnny’s NFL autographed trading cards which will be available in all 2014-15 Panini NFL trading card products.

“Johnny Manziel is one of the most exciting players to enter the NFL Draft in quite some time and his arrival has been heavily anticipated for years by fans and collectors alike. He’s at the head of a 2014 draft class that will drive trading card sales not just in 2014, but for many years afterward,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop.

“Making Johnny an exclusive member of the Panini America family has been a top priority for us since he declared for the NFL Draft. We’re excited to add him to the Panini Authentic family as an exclusive autograph and memorabilia athlete.”

During his freshman season at Texas A&M, Manziel accounted for more than 5,100 total yards (including 1,410 rushing) and 47 touchdowns (21 rushing), becoming the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy. In 2013, Manziel passed for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns, and added 759 yards and nine more touchdowns on the ground. He finished his college career as Texas A&M’s all-time leader in total touchdowns (94) and total yards (9,989).

“I’m honored that Panini America wanted me to be a part of their great team,” said Manziel. “I remain focused and committed to doing everything I can – on the field and off — to be the best quarterback I can be.”