UK Public Given Free Access to Horseracing Events in April

After the success of last year’s ‘free racing week’, Racing for Change has linked up with Lovetheraces.com and 25 of Britain’s racecourses to give the public the chance to watch horseracing free of charge for the entire month of April.

The initiative which lasted for 7 days in 2010 attracted an additional 40,000 visitors to the races and has been extended to a whole month this year. Some of Britain’s most famous racecourses are involved, including Ascot, Epsom Downs, Newbury, Newmarket and Sandown Park.

Seventeen fixtures are entirely free in at least one major enclosure at each racecourse, while there are a total of 5,500 free tickets available in advance at a further 11 meetings, although these are expected to be snapped up quickly.

Racing for Change chief executive Rod Street stated: “This groundbreaking move in April is being organised in a bid to attract record numbers of new customers to the fun and exciting sport of horse racing. It’s also a great way to reward existing fans of the sport.”

Street added: “The aim of the month is to appeal to people who have been infrequent visitors to horseracing in the past or who have never been to a racecourse. At many of the meetings, there will be staff, literature and displays to explain more about the sport.”

Obama to Offer Deal Allowing US Companies Involvement in Rio Prep.

US President Barack Obama is set to offer a new financing deal that will allow United States companies more opportunity to get involved in preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, when he visits Brazil next month.

The financing scheme, which would be worth in excess of hundreds of millions of dollars annually, has been under discussion between the two Governments for several months now and is set to be formally announced when Obama travels to Brazil on March 19 and 20.

Obama was closely linked with Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, even turning up for the final vote at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session at Copenhagen in October 2009, where Rio were awarded the Games.

The vehicle for the financing will be the Export-Import Bank of the United States, or Ex-Im Bank, which has seen its role expand dramatically in the last two years as the Obama administration looks for business opportunities abroad.

According to the company’s Chairman, Fred P. Hochberg, Ex-Im Bank seeks to make an unspecified amount of funding available for US-based companies and US subsidiaries of multinationals to help build roads and other infrastructure projects in Brazil.

It is difficult for foreign companies to earn major building contracts in Brazil unless they partner with a company already established there.

Hochberg told Reuters: “Brazil is a place where we see major promise, a lot of potential for cooperation.

“Investment in infrastructure (in emerging markets) is growing at a level we’ve never seen before.”

Funds for joint US-Brazilian projects in other countries would be provided through a “co-financing” deal between Ex-Im Bank and Brazil’s state-run development bank, BNDES. 

Such arrangements provide a “one-stop shop” with one set of documents and financing conditions for joint ventures.

Ex-Im Bank last year authorised a record high US$24.5bn in loans, guarantees and insurance worldwide.

MLS Commissioner Lauds Whitecaps Superior Sponsor Tie-ups

Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber revealed yesterday, February 15, that newcomers to the league and second Canadian representative, the Vancouver Whitecaps are leading the way in terms of sponsorship revenue ahead of the 2011 season.

According to the Vancouver Sun, Garber stated: “The total value of Whitecaps sponsorships signed so far outpaces every other franchise in the league – even New York and Los Angeles.”

Garber added: “Even with Los Angeles and its stadium and David Beckham, the largest sponsorship base is here in Vancouver.” This is down, in the main part, to major tie-ups of recent times including signing a lucrative jersey sponsorship deal with Bell last summer and since adding deals with BMO, EA Sports and Labatt.

Garber stated that the Bell sponsorship is “one of the richest sports sponsorship deals in North America,” noting that the deal “doesn’t involve television advertising or other media – just a pure rights fee.”

 

Paul Barber – Chief Executive Officer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a member of iSportconnect

 

Winnipeg Approve New USD190m Stadium Development

The building of a new 33,000 capacity football stadium on the University of Manitoba campus has been approved by the City of Winnipeg and is to open in the spring of 2012.

The city council voted 14-2 in favour of a deal in which the city contribute the majority of the stadium’s US$190 million construction costs. US$85 million of which, however will take the form of a loan to the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers and will be paid over a period of 44 years.

Mayor Sam Katz said: “Some councilors have said this is a good deal. With all due respect, I disagree. It’s a great deal.”

EPL Clubs Look to Follow Multiple Kit Sponsor Lead

It has been reported that English Premier League (EPL) soccer clubs are interested in following the example set by Barcelona, story of having more than one kit sponsor to increase revenue.

The commercial regulations to allow clubs the opportunity to sell space on their shirts to multiple backers is not currently allowed although initial approaches are thought to have been made to change this ruling, viagra 100mg claims the Daily Mail.

The Premier League is examining the proposal, which would need majority support among the 20 clubs though it is believed that the league do not want to follow in the footsteps of the Formula 1 route of multi-sponsorship branding.

Barcelona will become the first test of the new arrange after the club agreed a deal to have both its charity partner UNICEF and its £125m record-breaking sponsors the Qatar Foundation on its shirts.

Tottenham received permission from the Premier League this season to have a league backer in Autonomy and Investec on its cup shirts.

ICC discuss FTP rules and regulations on Nov 30

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) will meet for its next quarterly meeting in Dubai on 30 November 2010. The main objective is to consider the new Future Tours Programme Agreement (2012-2020) and the accompanying league rules.

The Chief Executives and their respective FTP managers will work towards implementing the new FTP and the Test and ODI leagues. Following the CEC recommendations in September, ed the new international cricket structure was approved by the ICC Executive Board in October.

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC Chief Executive who chairs the CEC, said: ‘The restructure of international cricket has been a significant and strategic piece of work which now requires a new FTP Agreement incorporating league rules and regulations to be discussed and approved.’

With less than three months to go to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the CEC will also receive an update on final plans and preparations before the start of the event. CEC will also further consider the design of ICC strategy for the period 2011-2015.

Mr Lorgat said: ‘The present ICC directors and chief executives have recognised their essential role in shaping the future strategy of the ICC and the game.’

The CEC comprises the chief executives of the 10 Test-playing Members and three representatives from the ICC Associate and Affiliate Members. It is chaired by the ICC Chief Executive. The Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee was also in attendance.

Haroon Lorgat                                     ICC Chief Executive (chairman)

Clive Lloyd                                         Chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee

 

James Sutherland                                Australia

Manzur Ahmed                                   Bangladesh

David Collier                                      England and Wales

N Srinivasan                                        India

Dr Justin Vaughan                              New Zealand

Zakir Khan                                          Pakistan

Gerald Majola                                     South Africa

Nishantha Ranatunga                         Sri Lanka

Dr Ernest Hilaire                                 West Indies

Ozias Bvute                                        Zimbabwe

 

Associate and Affiliate Member representatives

John Cribbin (Hong Kong)

Warren Deutrom (Ireland)

Francois Erasmus (Namibia)

Red Bull gives F1 team £25m boost

Energy drinks company Red Bull increased its investment in its Formula One team last year by £25m in a bid to win the 2010 championship, capsule according to recently released documents

In the year to 31 December 2009, Red Bull’s spending increased by 29.5 per cent to £107 million, in order to fund early development of its successful 2010 challenger. The team’s costs increased by 8.8 per cent to £157 million, with its single biggest expense believed to be the £57.2 million spent on research and development. This rose by 18.8 per cent year on year.

Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull’s chief executive, said that “in F1 we have no long or medium-term business plans”, but he believes that the secret to the team’s success “is all about people. We have recruited the best and most professional people for all the key positions.”

At the top of this list is Adrian Newey, its chief technical officer, who joined from the rival McLaren team in 2006 on an estimated £8m annual salary.

Red Bull’s performance has steadily improved since then and Mr Mateschitz said that “the goal is to reach the top as quickly as possible and stay there for as long as possible”.

Mr Mateschitz said: “The only success and return on investment is the marketing value, which depends on the race performance and results.”

Dubai Set to Host First Asian Tour Event

Dubai will play host to its first Asian Tour’s event of 2014 in December, clinic it has been revealed.

A welcome addition to the city’s growing portfolio of world-class events, the Dubai Open, as the tournament will be called, is being promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi, who are an old hand at staging high-profile sporting events like the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and the MENA Golf Tour.

As part of a three-year agreement with the Asian Tour, ‘golf in DUBAi’ will manage all aspects of its end-of-year spectacular that has the potential to become one of the most illustrious stops on the region’s premier Tour.

The landscape of Dubai has changed dramatically since the city first hosted an international golf tournament — the Omega Dubai Desert Classic — in 1989, and today the sport has become a key component of Dubai’s ambitious drive to host 20 million visitors annually by 2020 – the year the city will host the World Expo.

Talks with prospective sponsors and different Dubai golf clubs are at an advanced stage and ‘golf in DUBAi’ will soon announce the official title, the venue and dates of the newest Asian Tour tournament in the city.

“The arrival of the Asian Tour is very exciting news for all of us in Dubai and we are extremely confident of delivering the event in sync with Dubai’s reputation as an ideal golfing destination,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi.

“We feel honoured that the Asian Tour has placed its trust in us and we will strive to deliver a memorable week for its members and the UAE fans,” he said, adding: “Events like this will continue to strengthen our strong historical ties with Asia.

“Dubai’s economy benefits both directly and indirectly from golf tourism, and there is a positive synergy between golf and the key tourism sectors. Golf is just one of the many reasons that people visit Dubai to savour the experience of playing on courses of international standard,” he said.

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han was equally upbeat about the success of what he called an important stop in Dubai.  “With so many prestigious tournaments, in particular the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, happening out there, the city is ideally placed to capitalise on its unique position as a diverse and high quality golfing destination.

“We feel proud and privileged to join hands with an organisation whose track record of hosting international golf tournaments is second to none.

“The Asian Tour is delighted to be coming to Dubai and I am sure our players will be very excited to compete in this new and exciting event in December. As a players’ organisation, the Asian Tour is represented by an eclectic mix of the finest players from across the region and internationally and we look forward to entertaining golf fans in Dubai.”

LPGA Tour Golfer Cristie Kerr Rejoins IMG Golf

LPGA Tour star golfer Cristie Kerr has extended her contract with IMG Golf for management representation. 

Kerr, unhealthy 36, had been represented by her husband, Erik Stevens, of New York’s Madison Green Agency since leaving IMG in the mid-1990s. She was previously represented at IMG by Mark Steinberg, Tiger Woods’s former agent who left the company to join Excel Sports Management.

Now the mother of an eight-month old boy, Kerr said she rejoined Cleveland-based IMG to help her focus more on her on-course play while the agency manages her business interests, such as a newwine venture and an annual cancer fundraising event at New Jersey’s Liberty National Golf Club.

“We were trying to do all of that and we really needed some help,” Kerr told Bloomberg. “It was just the right fit and the right timing. They can help with so many other things.”

A 16-time LPGA winner, Kerr ranks third all-time on the tour’s money list with more than $16 million. She won major titles at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open and 2010 LPGA Championship.

“I feel like I’m in the middle of my career,” said Kerr, a member of seven U.S. Solheim Cup teams. “By no way shape or form am I done with golf. I feel like I still have major championships to win.”

Melbourne Sign New Deal to Host Australian GP Until 2020

Melbourne has retained the right to host the Australian Grand Prix for a further five years after securing a new rights deal with Formula 1 until 2020.

Albert Park has hosted the Australian Grand Prix every year since 1996 when it switched from Adelaide and has established itself as a firm favourite amongst drivers and fans. Its current contract was set to expire in 2015. 

The new deal, which comes after more than twelve months of negotiation, will see the race remain in Australia’s second largest city  taking it up to 2020. 

Keen to capitalise on the success of Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo, who celebrated his second F1 win in Hungary last week, Premeir of Victoria Denis Napthine is hopeful that it continue to entice large crowds and TV audiences. 

“Within this contract we hope to see Australia’s own Daniel Ricciardo win the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and become World Champion.” 

“Formula 1 is a key pillar of Victoria’s major sporting events strategy. This calendar is unrivalled worldwide, commencing with the Australian Tennis Open and Asian Football Cup in January, followed by the ICC Cricket World Cup in February, the Formula 1  Australian Grand Prix in March, the AFL Final Series, and the Spring Racing Carnival,” Dr Napthine said. 

The Australian Grand Prix has become the traditional host for the F1 curtain raiser having hosted the opening round each year since 1996, save for 2006 and 2010. 

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