Goodell says players won’t decide fines

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says active NFL players won’t be deciding punishment for flagrant hits that merit fines.

Goodell wants to hear their opinions, though.

The commissioner said Monday the league has been opposed to allowing active players or team officials to get involved in deciding punishments. The league recently increased its enforcement of rules against flagrant hits.

The Steelers safety has been outspoken against the crackdown, saying it has caused paranoia around the league. Teammate James Harrison was been fined $100,000 for three hits, prompting him to talk briefly about retiring. Polamalu suggested last week that current players and team officials should be involved in deciding punishments.

Goodell indicated that’s not going to happen.

“There are league executives involved and there are former players involved,” Goodell said, before a program promoting the Monday night game between the Bengals and Steelers. “I think having active players and active front office executives is something the competition committee has always frowned on.”

Goodell emphasized that he’s not part of the fines process, which was set up with the players’ association.

Last week, Goodell summoned Harrison to his office to talk about his late hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees two days earlier. Harrison later was fined $20,000 for the play.

Harrison also has been fined $75,000 for a helmet hit on Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and $5,000 for slamming Titans quarterback Vince Young to the ground this season. Goodell got Harrison’s opinions on the crackdown.

“I always seek to get players’ involvement,” Goodell said. “I actually work very hard to make sure we understand the players’ perspective. As a matter of fact, bringing James Harrison in last week was an opportunity to be able to hear from an active player — what he’s thinking, what’s his perspective, what’s he challenged with — so we can make sure we understand that as we’re going forward in the season.”

Harrison mentioned the difficulty in trying to hit a moving runner.

“I think James is an outstanding player and I think he’s a guy who wants to play the game within the rules,” Goodell said. “He’s certainly a tough football player, and I admire him very much on that level.

“I think one of the things he’s frustrated by is … when the offensive player is moving, how do I as a defensive player adjust? I think that’s something that our competition committee and all of our coaches and our player committee often have talked about, and I think that’s something we’ve got to try to continue to address.”

Goodell appeared at a downtown luncheon along with several former Bengals players to promote the Monday night game. He also visited fans tailgating outside Paul Brown Stadium before the game.

“They really love the game, and I think it’s important for us to understand their perspective not just about the game but also their experience with the game,” Goodell said. “We always look to what can we do to get fans to participate more, and that’s something we strive to do. They want more participation in the game.”

Goodell posed for pictures and autographed footballs, tickets and other items. Fans asked him about helmet-to-helmet hits and what the league can do about unruly fans. When asked about former Reds star Pete Rose — banned from baseball for betting on his team — Goodell deferred.

“That’s not my issue,” Goodell said. “I’m not going to touch that.”

— The Associated Press

One-day cricket crowds at all-time low

(Source: AAP)  Australia’s one-day crowd crisis worsened on Sunday when a record low turn-out trickled into the Gabba to see the hosts deliver a dead-rubber thumping of Sri Lanka.

It was the worst Gabba crowd for a one-day international featuring Australia, almost 3000 less than the 11,734 who were packed into a ground under construction during the 1992 World Cup.

Traditionally Australia’s Gabba 50-over fixtures have drawn 35,000-plus since the redevelopment of the 40,000-capacity stadium in the 1990s.

Sunday’s attendance, again featuring a healthy Sri Lankan contingent, was a mere half of the previous post-development lowest, which was 19,758 when Ponting’s men defeated Pakistan earlier this year.

And that total came with 20,088 attending another Australian Gabba win over the West Indies just weeks later.

Following crowds of 19,309 at the MCG and 11,495 at the SCG in Sri Lanka’s series-clinching wins, the Brisbane turnout underlined the fans general apathy for what has been an almost meaningless three-match series.

Interest in Australia’s quest to regain the Ashes, which begins at the Gabba on November 25, has completely swamped that for Sri Lanka’s whistle-stop tour.

In fact, the combined total of 39,841 for the three day-nighters will probably only just shade that of the day one attendance for the first Ashes Test, to be played in front of a packed house.

As well as the absences of Ponting and Murali, who was denied an Australian farewell, Sri Lanka gave potential spectators little encouragement to make a late arrival by slumping to 3-14 in the fifth over before being routed for 115.

Ex-Sportsbrand pair set up new company

Peter Wraith, the ex-Sportsbrand Media Group chief executive has joined forces with the organisation’s former marketing director Matt Whytcross to start a new company called Inverleigh Media Holdings.

Inverleigh is a market company that will be involved in the development, production and international distribution of programming for a range of media platforms. Wraith and Whytcross will act as partners in the new venture.

Wraith said: “This is in many ways a natural extension of the effective management partnership that has existed between Matt and I for over 11 years. We are aware of the likely comparisons to our former company, but I think it will be clear in a short time frame that Inverleigh is a very different animal in terms of its ambition, product offering and operational direction.”

Inverleigh will initially have offices in London and Melbourne, with each of the partners working in one of the locations.

Wraith added: “We’ve successfully worked together this way for a number of years and as our business is essentially international, there are definite advantages in us operating from different locations, particularly in terms of servicing an international client base.”

Prime ministers dismiss Ukraine and Poland Euro 2012 concerns

The prime ministers of Poland and Ukraine have dismissed criticism of the countries’ preparations for the 2012 Uefa European Football Championships.

Donald Tusk and Mykola Azarov have said that the stadiums for the tournament will be ready on time, despite Uefa president Michel Platini’s concerns over the construction work of the Kiev and Liviv stadium projects.

Platini has since withdrawn his threat to strip Ukraine of its co-hosting role after an acceleration in construction of the two projects.

Tusk, prime minister of Poland, said: “We are confident that the championship, which is important for Europe, will take place in four Ukrainian and four Polish cities.”

Martin Kallen, operations director for the 2012 event, has said the 69,000 seat stadium in Kiev could be complete by next June, while the 35,000-capacity Liviv venue is on target for completion in August.

 

Betfair boss resigns to set up PR consultancy

Betfair managing director, Mark Davies, has resigned from his post after more than ten years to start up his own PR consultancy.

Davies was part of Betfair’s founder-management team, having joined the betting exchange before its launch in March 2000.

Betfair has already signed up to be one of the first clients of Camberton, Davies’ new company. Davies said: “It’s been fun, but in recent months I haven’t been able to offer Betfair as much as I’d like to of what I think I am best at; so I think it’s time to move on to new things.

“I have set up a company of my own, Camberton, which will offer to a broader church the sort of thing that I have been responsible for at Betfair over the last decade.”

Betfair chief executive David Yu added: “Mark has been with the company since it was little more than an idea and has helped it grow to the largest online sports betting business. As our ‘voice’ in the market he has contributed so much to our distinctive positioning.”

CSM Sport & Entertainment Acquire Sales Agency SJX Partners

Chime Communications PLC today announced its acquisition of SJX Partners, ed a boutique sponsorship sales agency based in New Canaan, doctor Connecticut, through its sports marketing division CSM Sport & Entertainment.

In a deal announced by Jim Glover, Chief Executive, CSM Sport & Entertainment and Harlan Stone, SJX Managing Partner, SJX has been acquired as a wholly-owned subsidiary and is the most recent step in CSM’s growth plan in the US market.

The addition of SJX to CSM’s portfolio comes one year after its first expansion into the US market with JMI and reflects the group’s strategic plan to increase its presence in the US.

“We are proud to announce our acquisition of SJX and to bring such a dedicated and successful group of people into the CSM family,” said Jim Glover. “Their staff and leadership fit seamlessly into our plans for continued growth in the US marketplace, which started with our largest ever sports-related acquisition of JMI last year. The relationship and trust SJX has with its clients is superior, and this move will only enhance what has already been a successful start to CSM’s growth in the US.”

“SJX is pleased to become part of CSM Sport & Entertainment as we share a dedicated passion to deliver best-in-class service for our clients,” said Stone. “Our team’s expertise in sponsorship strategy and sales with global brands in sport and entertainment will complement CSM’s mission to be at heart of the world’s greatest experiences.”

SJX was founded by Harlan Stone and Jeff Jonas in 2011 and employs 13 people in the US. The agency specializes in property development and sponsorship sales as well as consulting and media rights. Clients include US Open Tennis, Cirque du Soleil, Little League Baseball, Feld Entertainment’s Disney on Ice, Lincoln Center and Powdr.

Stone and Jonas will remain Managing Partners of SJX within the CSM Sports & Entertainment division.

Washington Capitals Ink Affiliation Partnership with ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays

National Hockey League (NHL) franchise Washington Capitals have agreed to an affiliation agreement with the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, physician senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

“We are pleased to announce our ECHL affiliation with the South Carolina Stingrays,” MacLellan said. “The Stingrays are a great organization and they were terrific partners with us during our previous affiliation. We are looking forward to our prospects being able to grow and develop with a first-class organization. We would like to thank the Reading Royals and their fans for their support during the last two seasons.”

“We are excited to be back with Washington and the Hershey Bears (AHL) for the upcoming season,” said Stingrays President Rob Concannon. “We are extremely happy with our meetings with Washington and Mr. MacLellan and the direction all three teams are heading. We look forward to working with and developing their young prospects.”

South Carolina finished the 2013-14 season ranked third in the Eastern Conference and captured the South Division title with a record of 43-23-6 (92 points).

West Virginia University Sign IMG Learfield Ticket Partnership

West Virginia University has announced a partnership with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions, buy cialis the leader in privatized ticket sales for intercollegiate athletics, to enhance tickets sales for the school’s athletics events.
Now with 30 school partners, IMGTS sells more tickets to university athletic events than any other outbound ticket sales company.
The operation will handle ticket sales for all WVU sports, managed onsite by General Manager Robert Kristiniak, who joins IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions from a post as assistant athletics director for sales and service at University of California-Berkeley

“We’re excited to announce this dynamic new partnership with IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions, the market leader among colleges and universities in creating dedicated outbound ticket sales programs,” said Oliver Luck, Director of Athletics at West Virginia University. “IMG Learfield will bring significant resources to help us maximize the value of our ticket inventory.  In just a few weeks IMG Learfield will have a staff of five working out of the Coliseum as we integrate them fully into the operation of our department.

“This team will work hand-in-hand with our existing development, marketing and ticket operations staffs and substantially enhance our ticket sales efforts.  I would like to thank Matt Wells for his excellent work in heading up the effort to bring IMG Learfield on board.”

“We are thrilled to hit the ground running in serving WVU and its large community of loyal Mountaineers fans,” said Matt DiFebo, Managing Partner, IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions. “We will be focused on strengthening current relationships and creating new ones across WVU’s fan and alumni base. We’re especially excited about tapping into promotional synergies with IMG College, the school’s multimedia rights partner.”

Oleg Tinkov Seals Takeover of Saxo-Tinkoff UCI Pro Team

Long-time cycling owner Bjarne Riis has let go of the reigns of his Saxo-Tinkoff UCI Pro team by agreeing to sell to Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov who has renamed the squad, Tinkoff-Saxo.

Just months after announcing he would withdraw his sponsorship of the squad, Tinkov has performed a U-turn by taking over full ownership of management company Riis Cycling, which will now be known as Tinkoff Sport.

Riis, who had owned the team since 2000, will move into a general manager role for “at least three years”, while five-time Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador will continue as the team’s spearhead on the road despite being criticised by Tinkov during this year’s Tour de France.

Tinkov’s Tinkoff Credit Systems company will be the team’s primary sponsor, with Danish investors Saxo Bank becoming a secondary backer.

Tinkov told a press conference in London: “My dream came true. I am so happy and proud today. It is 100 per cent my company, it is my private investment, it is my obsession. I finally have my top-level team.”

Riis (right) added: “This is a great day for the team. It means long-term stability for the team. With added resources, it gives us the possibility to create a world-class team and help us fulfill our goal to become the No 1 team in the world.”

Tinkov also appears to have rebuilt bridges with Contador, whom he berated on Twitter during this summer’s Tour de France, saying: “His salary doesn’t match his performance.”

Contador (left) was also present at the press conference and insisted any ill feeling had been put to one side.

The two-time Tour winner said: “I know a lot of you will raise your eyebrows, but Oleg and I have spent a lot of time together and whatever happened immediately after the Tour is a long way behind us now.

“In these times, when there is a dearth of sponsors coming into cycling, it can only be a good thing when a man of Oleg’s stature comes into the sport.”

Tinkoff also insisted that doping was now part of cycling’s past and would adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards cheating in the team should there be any instances.

He added: “These days I strongly believe that doping is over. I truly believe that in big teams there are no issues about that. Cycling has changed.

“I have zero tolerance to doping. What is important today is diet, nutrition and recovery.”

Six People Arrested for Alleged Fixing of English Soccer Matches

Six people have been arrested by police investigating alleged fixing in English football matches, amid claims of attempts to defraud Asian betting websites.

At least three footballers and an agent are among the six arrested, according to London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, which said an undercover investigation by its reporters had triggered the police swoop.

The report said match-fixers from Asia were targeting lower-league English games.

The new National Crime Agency (NCA) said they were probing a suspected international gambling ring.

“Six men have been arrested across the country as part of an NCA investigation into alleged football match fixing,” said a spokesman.

“The focus of the operation is a suspected international illegal betting syndicate.

“This is an active investigation and we are unable to provide further detail at this time.”

The men were being held at a police station in central England on suspicion of bribery and fraud offences, The Telegraph said.

A Singaporean “fixer” was recorded telling undercover reporters that the results of English games could be decided for STG50,000 ($90,000) and correctly predicted the outcome of three games played by one team.

The team and arrested players cannot be named for legal reasons, but the agent was named by The Telegraph as former Bolton Wanderers striker Delroy Facey.

No teams in England’s lucrative Premier League are believed to be involved in the probe.

The fixer explained that gamblers could use the insider information to place bets with Asian companies.

A spokesman for the Football Association, the sport’s governing body in England, said: “The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to an NCA investigation.

“We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to these allegations. The FA will make no further comment at this time due to ongoing investigations.”

The Football League, which runs the three professional divisions below the Premier League, said they had not been contacted by the police.

“We understand from media reports that there is an ongoing police investigation into alleged match-fixing in domestic football,” chief executive Shaun Harvey said in a statement.

“To date, we have had no contact from the police regarding this matter.

“The threat of corruption is something that the Football League and the other football authorities treat with the utmost seriousness.

“The integrity of our matches and our competitions is the bedrock of the domestic game.”

In February, Europe-wide police agency Europol said it had found evidence of match-fixing in top international football matches and it had uncovered an organised crime syndicate based in Asia that was behind the operation.