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PrimeSport Named Official Fan Travel Provider of Pittsburgh Penguins Outdoor Game

Ticketing provider PrimeSport has become the Official Fan Travel Provider of the Pittsburgh Penguins Outdoor Game.

Official fan travel packages are now available for the 2014 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Outdoor Game on March 1, decease 2014 at Soldier Field.

“PrimeSport has an impressive track record for providing safe and dependable fan travel to some of the largest sporting events worldwide, viagra and we are excited to partner with them for our game in Chicago this season,” said David Peart, Senior Vice President of the Pittsburgh Penguins. “We know that our partnership with PrimeSport will provide a wonderful way for our fans to get to the game in Chicago and cheer on the Pens in what is sure to be a tremendous game.”

“We are thrilled about our partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the game on March 1st and the opportunity to offer the PrimeSport VIP experience to Pens fans traveling to Chicago,” says Greg Nortman, Chief Operating Officer at PrimeSport. “Pens vs. Blackhawks at Soldier Field will be a game for the history books and we are looking forward to providing Pens fans with a safe, reliable and officially sanctioned place to buy official travel packages for the game.”

Pat McQuaid & Brian Cookson Continue Feud as UCI Presidency Race Hots Up

The feud between UCI President Pat McQuaid and Brian Cookson, who is challenging for his position, went up another notch today after McQuaid hit out at suggestions that he had broken the rules governing the nomination of candidates, describing the claim as “outrageous.”

Cookson, head of British Cycling and the only challenger so far, replied that McQuaid’s remarks were “another attempt to denigrate the current presidential process.”

Irishman McQuaid, who has been president since 2005, received nominations from Switzerland,Thailand and Morocco putting him forward for the position while not being backed by his own country’s Irish Cycling federation.

However, he later received a letter from British Cycling’s lawyers which suggested the UCI had accepted his nominations from the Thai and Moroccan federations after the closing date, McQuaid said.

“That is an outrageous suggestion,” said McQuaid in a statement.

“Brian must immediately make a statement on whether he believes that to be true and if he believes otherwise he has duty to ensure that this allegation is publicly withdrawn.”

McQuaid confirmed that the Swiss, Thai and Moroccan nominations were all received before the deadline in accordance with the UCI rules.

“As the president of British Cycling, Brian Cookson must explain his decision to allow his federation – that is funding his campaign – to behave in this way and to use its considerable financial clout to employ lawyers to challenge issues in the election,” said McQuaid.

“I do not fear an open election and I am not at all concerned by my ability to secure the support and votes that I require to be re-elected as UCI President,” he added.

“While it would appear that Brian has lost confidence in his own ability, I continue to challenge him to allow the UCI Congress and its voting delegates to decide.”

Cookson, who has been president of British Cycling since 1997, quickly hit back with a statement of his own.

“Sadly today we have seen yet another attempt by the existing UCI President, Pat McQuaid, to denigrate the current presidential election process,” he said.

“I want nothing more than an open and properly conducted democratic election and vote for the UCI presidency. To suggest otherwise is nonsense.

“It is also true that I, and many in our sport, have legitimate and growing concerns about the retrospective rule bending and attempted manipulation that is taking place at present.

“In my view it is therefore absolutely correct that British Cycling and others have raised concerns regarding proposed rule changes which have a direct impact on the election process now under way. These concerns need to be addressed.

“Far from ducking these issues, for the good of cycling and the reputation of the UCI, it is critical that openness and transparency guide our procedures and not desperate maneuvers and outbursts by Mr McQuaid.”

The election is scheduled to take place in September.

NHL Players Made Available for 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

National Hockey League (NHL) player will be particpating at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics after the NHL’s Players’ Association (NHLPA), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reached an agreement.

NHL players will be available to the 12 participating IIHF Member National Associations for the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament from February 12-23. This will mark the fifth consecutive time dating back to Nagano 1998 that NHL players have participated in the Olympics. More than 120 NHL players are expected to compete for their respective nations in Sochi.

“The National Hockey League features the most international player population in professional sports, and our outstanding athletes take tremendous pride in representing their homelands on the global stage,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “The decision to participate in the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi was in many ways a difficult one, but one that we know will be well received by our Players and, most importantly, by the vast majority of our fans and sports fans everywhere.”

“The Players are very pleased that an agreement has been reached that will allow the world’s best hockey players to compete at the Winter Games in February,” said Don Fehr, NHLPA Executive Director. “Having the opportunity to wear their nation’s sweater in Sochi is something the players look forward to.”

The NHL will break from the 2013-14 regular season schedule on February 9 and return to play February 26 to allow for participation in the Games.

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NBA Renews Licensing Deal with Ogmento

Ogmento Inc., shop a leading global publisher of location-based mobile games, patient announced today that it has entered into a multi-year extension with the National Basketball Association (NBA) of its licensing deal for the critically acclaimed and award-winning mobile game franchise, denture NBA: King of the Court.

NBA: King of the Court 2 is launching today on iOS and Android devices, and will feature major upgrades including a new single player mode, interactive courts, and extensive customization features.

“We are thrilled to have renewed our agreement with the NBA,” said Brian Selzer, President and Co-Founder of Ogmento. “Basketball fans can expect many exciting new features with NBA: King of the Court 2, such as a single player mode with over 40 levels, including levels representing all 30 NBA teams, customizable courts, expanded “Super Courts” and a new immersive basketball shooting mechanic.”

NBA: King of the Court 2 continues to embrace and improve upon the popular multiplayer mode from the original game. Players will find virtual courts placed in real world locations found on their in-game map. Once players are the “king” of a local court, they can compete on the tiered multiplayer Royal Court ladder system that allows gamers to rule the court at every level – city, state, country, and eventually the world.

NPB Hopes to Leverage Sponsorship to Convince Players to Compete in WBC

After discussing a number of issues with World Baseball Classic (WBC) organizers following the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association (JBPA) refusing to participate, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league revealed that it owns certain rights to sponsorship revenues related Samurai Japan’s participation in the tournament .

Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters representative, Toshimasa Shimada, said: “We were able to reconfirm that Japan could own these rights.”

The NPB’s sponsorship revelation may be a positive sign following an apparently unproductive meeting between NPB officials’ and WBC organizers in New York last week.

NPB officials are expected to sit down with the JPBPA soon and present the results of their meeting to try to convince players to participate. {jcomments on}

Li-Ning to Sponsor US Basketball Tournament

Li-Ning will be the official footwear and apparel partner for the Red Bull King of the Rock, a 1-on-1 basketball tournament to take place in the US on Alcatraz Island in September.

Li-Ning will support the US qualifying events and the world championships event, held in “The Yard” of the island’s notorious prison.

Red Bull King of the Rock includes 90 qualifying competitions outside of the U.S. and 33 regional competitions spread throughout the country.

As the official merchandise supplier of the event, Li-Ning will provide the official game jerseys for all the US qualifying events along with specially-designed gear for the final competitors on Alcatraz Island. {jcomments on}

Dereck Chisora To Receive WBC Hearing

Despite having handed Dereck Chisora an indefinite suspension and a heft fine, the World Boxing Council will give the boxer a proper hearing after heavy criticism.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman said: “He is a human being so we’re not going to put him in the trash.

“He made a mistake. He must pay for the mistake but also we have to give him another opportunity.

“We’re going to have a hearing. The attorney representing the WBC is Steven Beverley. He is our legal council in England. He will be in charge of the hearing. It will take place as soon as possible. We’re asking our representative to go ahead and do the hearing immediately.”

Prior to the fracas with fellow British heavyweight David Haye, Chisora slapped his oppnonent Vitali Klitschko and spat water and his younger brother. Sulaiman added: “He needs it (anger management therapy). I’ve never seen before, in my 67 years in boxing, someone behave with so much anger, so much hate.”

The decision to provide the Zimbabwean-born fighter emerges after outspoken boxing promoter Frank Warren condemned the body for not undergoing standard disciplinary protocol. Warren fumed: “What I find strange about this is that there hasn’t been a hearing.

“Somebody arbitrarily saying ’you’re banned’ can’t be any form of natural justice. Even the police in Germany let Dereck Chisora go after questioning.”

Despite having handed Dereck Chisora an indefinite suspension and a hefty fine, the World Boxing Council will give the boxer a proper hearing following heavy criticism.

WBC president Jose Sulaiman said: “He is a human being so we’re not going to put him in the trash. “He made a mistake. He must pay for the mistake but also we have to give him another opportunity.

Prior to the fracas with fellow British heavyweight David Haye, Chisora slapped his opponent Vitali Klitschko and spat water at his younger brother. Sulaiman added: “He needs it (anger management therapy). I’ve never seen before, in my 67 years in boxing, someone behave with so much anger, so much hate.”

The decision to provide the Zimbabwean-born fighter with a hearing emerges after outspoken boxing promoter Frank Warren condemned the body for not undergoing standard disciplinary protocol. Warren fumed: “What I find strange about this is that there hasn’t been a hearing.

“Somebody arbitrarily saying ’you’re banned’ can’t be any form of natural justice. Even the police in Germany let Dereck Chisora go after questioning.”

Discuss the topic here: Idiots Abroad

The Siren’s Call? – Pippa Collett

Sponsorship is big business by anyone’s standards. An estimated $50 billion will be spent globally on sponsorship fees alone in 2011. Add to that the industry standard of at least another dollar on activating sponsorship rights for every dollar spent on fees and you cross the $100 billion mark – a handy sum if you are the European Central Bank.

The majority (around 80%) goes on sports properties, with the rest split across culture, media, entertainment, education and charitable projects. This reflects the global reach of sports and the fact that many sponsors still view these properties as a cheap alternative to advertising.

The exception to this is the Olympic and Paralympic Games. No other sponsorship property commands so great an investment in return for so little. The main difference between the Olympics and other major sporting properties is what is known as its ‘clean venue’ status. This means that, unlike FIFA World Cup or the recent Rugby World Cup, there are no perimeter boards around the field of endeavour promoting sponsor brands. In fact, there is virtually no sponsor recognition at all.

IOC TOP partners spend in excess of $100m per quadrennial (covering one Winter and one Summer Games) for the right to promote their association with the Games globally. Where the IOC have been very smart is that this is effectively all the sponsorship fee covers – the right of association. For brands to gain any returns they have to spend further marketing dollars promoting the relationship and, by association, the Games themselves.

All hospitality is paid for in addition, and that does not come cheap. And if you want to own another part of the action – volunteering, ticketing, torch relay, live sites, sustainability – then further investments will be required.

So why is it that the Olympic and Paralympic Games can play a completely different game to its competitors? Whilst it is tough being on the receiving end of a Games partnership as a sponsor, this does not deter brands from lining up to participate – look at the sponsors already secured for Sochi and Rio.

The answer lies in the concept itself. There are multiple finals across a wide variety of sports. Not only does this attract the broadest possible audience for each sport, but it also creates a halo effect whereby people become aware of and support any number of finalists outside their normal interests. Witness the following for Eddie the Eagle ski jumping for Great Britain at the Winter Games in 1988 or willing Michael Phelps to win a record number of medals in the pool at Beijing. Rather than be divisive like other major sporting events, the Games creates the optimal environment for people from all walks of live to come together in support of countries, teams or individual heroes well beyond the barriers or race, origin or nationality.

In many ways the UK has been in denial these last 6 years since the Games were awarded to London in 2005 and, let’s face it, there has been much else to focus on in recent years. But come 1 January 2012 there will be an unprecedented explosion of Games-related activity from sponsors. I hope everyone will answer the call and make London 2012 “the best Games ever.”

Pippa Collett: Since gaining and MBA from Cranfield, Pippa Collett has become a leading sponsorship practitioner with an extensive client-side career at Shell, American Express and Rank Organisation. Her global sponsorship experience covers the full spectrum from Ferrari in Formula One and the Olympics to cultural projects including The Olivier Awards and The Unilever Series. She joined Sponsorship Consulting in 2006 to work with blue-chip clients such as Siemens, Standard Chartered Bank and Cisco.

As Vice-Chair of The European Sponsorship Association, Pippa has led on key aspects of the developing sponsorship agenda including authorship of ESA’s Sponsorship Assessment & Evaluation Guidelines and introducing the concept of Continuing Professional Development.

Pippa Collett’s

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Brazil Looking to Get Tough in Implementing WC Projects

According to the Financial Times, allergy | Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is planning a “name and shame” approach to accelerate the country’s preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The paper reported that Rousseff will introduce the system to put pressure on various levels of government to maintain adequate progress in implementing projects, decease while Minister for Planning Miriam Belchior stated: “When you publish the information you make all of those implementing the projects responsible because they are exposed if there is a delay.”

Belchior added: “Our idea is to have a joint evaluation with the federal, state and municipal governments. This first meeting is to discuss the situation and how we’re going to do it, how we’re going to ensure it (the World Cup planning) is done in time.”

There have been concerns over the rate of preparations ahead of Brazil’s two upcoming mega-events, particularly with regard to the World Cup in just over three years’ time.

Brazil will spend US$13.3 billion on preparations in 12 cities for the World Cup, while the Olympics budget will be $2.8 billion. Henrique Meirelles, the respected former central bank governor, was appointed last week to lead the country’s Olympic Public Authority for the 2016 Games.

Rogge: Sports Bodies Should Receive Betting Income Return

Jacques Rogge, sale president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has called for sporting bodies to receive a cut of betting revenues, insisting that governments should impose tighter controls on gambling in sport.

Rogge stated: “We are in favour of a system where betting operators have to be licensed by the government. Sports organisers, national federations and international federations would have a fair return for all their efforts for organising the sport. They should be recognised with a return from financial income.”

Rogge continued to urged governments to monitor betting companies to “control if there is any money laundering”, adding: “I think you have to assume like in doping, all sports are affected and none is totally free, but those sports with the biggest audiences will be affected (by illegal and irregular betting). That goes without saying.”

Government ministers from Australia, France, Switzerland and the UK are attending the meeting.

After coming under pressure from the European Commission, in late 2009 France, which had long protected its state monopoly on gambling through Francaise des Jeux and Pari Mutuel Urbain, finally introduced its own licensing system for betting on sport, with bookmakers forced to pay a portion of their revenues to sport.