Rugby Football Union licensing agent CPLG Sport has announced three new merchandising deals for the England Rugby brand.

The licensing agent for the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said it is “dealing with more interest than ever before” around the brand, with the 2015 Rugby World Cup taking place in England.

Brecrest joins the RFU’s licensing programme and will produce England Rugby branded babywear, BL Sports is on board for luggage, bags and wallets, and Drew Pearson International will soon launch headwear, scarves, gloves, snoods, earmuffs and wristbands.

The three new licensees join over 30 existing partners.

Andy Ward, head of merchandising at the RFU, said: “We are finding that prospective partners are increasingly aware of the potential that the 2015 Rugby World Cup offers from a licensing point of view and this is leading to a strengthening of the programme in this year alone.”

CPLG Sport’s senior commercial manager Nicola Thompson added: “The England Rugby brand is always going to be a magnet for the licensing community but the extra incentive of the 2015 Rugby World Cup means we are dealing with more interest than ever before and these new deals with best in class partners are testament to that.”

Coveted US golfer Phil Mickelson appetite for sports ownership has increased after joining a group hoping to buy the San Diego Padres.

Mickelson, a San Diego native, told the U-T San Diego on Monday that he has rejected previous opportunities to become involved in sports ownership, but the Padres are an appealing option.

“This was a unique opportunity with families that had done this before and know how to do it right and want to get involved in the community,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson told the paper he’s joined a group headlined by former Los Angeles Dodgersowner Peter O’Malley, one of five known parties interested in purchasing a controlling interest in the club. Former Padres legend Tony Gwynn recently joined a potential ownership group led by movie producer Thomas Tull.

Owner John Moores is selling the Padres after a proposed sale of the team to Jeff Moorad collapsed in March after baseball owners refused to approve Moorad as controlling owner. Moorad headed a group that in March 2009 agreed to a gradual takeover of the Padres. At the time, the deal was estimated to be worth around $500 million.

Moores owns 51 percent while Moorad’s group owns 49 percent.

Mickelson said he would put “a lot” of his own money in the deal and that, “given the price tag, it’s a significant amount.”

Mickelson has earned more than $66 million during his career on the PGA Tour in prize money and considerably more in endorsements.

“I feel it’s a great financial opportunity, yes,” Mickelson said of the Padres. “But what excites me is the financial opportunity and the opportunity to get the community more involved with the Padres.

” … Growing up, the Padres were my team and still are. I always had a love for the team. But (recently) I just felt disassociated with the organization a little bit as a fan. I just know I didn’t identify with the players or have an emotional connection. Where I want to get involved is I want to get a personal involvement with the players and the community — personal interaction with fans, more community outreach. I want to create an emotional tie with the players and the community.”

Mickelson, 41, has won 40 PGA Tour titles, including four major championships. He said he did not expect a possible interest in the Padres to affect his golf career. He is playing in this week’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, followed by the U.S. Open in two weeks.

“I have as strong a desire to compete as ever,” he said. “I’m working on my game, trying to get ready for the U.S. Open.”

English nPower Championship soccer strugglers Crystal Palace FC, troche have agreed a two-year sponsorship deal with telecommunications company Soccertel.

Soccertel will provide Palace fans with cheaper calls on their mobile phones, as well as mobile internet services under the terms of the agreement.

Mark Catlin, Soccertel managing director, said of the deal: “Although I have been involved in the telecoms business for many years, the true love of my life is football, and for me personally, it’s great that we have been able to develop a product and strategy that enables fans to benefit from the incredible cheap rates that we offer. More importantly, it enables them to receive unique, innovative offers and gifts directly associated with Crystal Palace FC.”

In addition, the partnership will also enable fans of the south London club free entry to the club’s ground, Selhurst Park, by topping up credit onto their mobile phones. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed by either party.

Catlin added: “The members of the commercial team that I have dealt with, Chris Powlson and Kevin Miller have from day one seen what see what we are trying to achieve with Soccertel, and have been very supportive and provocative in making this deal possible.”

Kevin Miller, senior commercial sales for Crystal Palace, added: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Mark and his team to Selhurst Park. The package offered by Soccertel really gives fans tangible rewards and will hopefully generate some great phone deals for them. On matchdays they will see the Soccertel brand advertised on the Whitehorse Lane stand wall in the stadium as well as in the matchday programme, and will also be able to get information via the website and e-newsletter.”

FIFA’s controversial President Sepp Blatter has accused England of being ‘bad losers’ after failing in their bid to host the 2018 World Cup. After allegations of corruption in FIFA have been rife within the British media both before and since the vote, Blatter rejected all allegations of corruption saying that the governing body was “financially clean and clear”.

Much of the English bid team and media have reacted angrily to the decision made which saw them receive just two of a possible 22 votes from the FIFA executive committee in Zurich last Thursday. Acting chairman of the Football Association (FA), Roger Burden has since withdrawn his application for the post, stating that the role would involve liaising with FIFA and that he wanted “nothing more to do with them”.

Speaking to Weltwoche, a Swiss weekly magazine, Blatter stated: “To be honest, I was surprised by all the English complaining after the defeat. England, of all people, the motherland of fair play ideas.

“Now some of them are showing themselves to be bad losers. You can’t come afterwards and say so and so promised to vote for England. The results are known. The outcome came out clearly.”

“There is no systematic corruption in FIFA. That is nonsense,” he added. “We are financially clean and clear.”

Cheltenham Racecourse has signed a two year sponsorship deal with construction equipment maker JCB.

The firm has renewed its backing of the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle for the 10th and 11th year, with the next version of the race being run on 18 March, 2011, as part of the Cheltenham Festival.

And there will be three new juvenile hurdle races as part of JCB’s jump racing sponsorship portfolio.

The Gloucestershire course said the JCB deal made “enormous sense”.

The juvenile races are for horses aged three years old up to the end of the year and four years old from the turn of the year

These will each be run over routes of about two miles at three major Cheltenham fixtures in November, December and January.

Mr McNeile, director of sponsorship at Cheltenham Racecourse, said JCB had been a “terrific partner” over the past decade.

“I’m sure that the JCB brand will gain even greater exposure this season, given the number and the profile of races under its banner,” he added.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has reported pre-tax profits of R138.8 million (US$18.76 million), sale its biggest ever.

CSA chairman of the finance and commercial committee Professor Hentie van Wyk said the profits beat forecasts because of ongoing cost containment, unhealthy increased revenues and significant income related to events.

Van Wyk said: “This favourable variance to budget is mainly due to International Cricket Council (ICC) related event fee income and dividends, online interest received on increased cash balances, Indian Premier League (IPL) related income and increased sponsorships. In many aspects, our positive financial results reflect the benefits to cricket of improved structures, expertise and management at all levels.

“Consistent with prior years, the main drivers of revenue are the international broadcasting rights contracts, ICC and event income and normal sponsorship revenue. ICC-related revenue this year was significantly higher than expected due to additional events in the year under review, namely the hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 and finalisation of long outstanding ICC event income. The events also contributed to increased broadcasting rights income.”

British Basketball League franchise Manchester Giants have revealed they will be a new home for the 2014-15 BBL season at the Lucozade Powerleague Trafford Soccerdome. 

Situated adjacent to the Trafford Centre just off the M60, the club believe it will provide a fantastic match-night experience for supporters, players and corporate guests. 

Powerleague have created a new state-of-the-art arena within the venue, investing a substantial sum to create a well-appointed, high-quality playing area for the team and spectators alike. 

The new, increased capacity will enable more fans to experience BBL basketball with the Giants and enjoy first-class facilities, including a bar and function room. 

The venue will also allow the club to make high-quality corporate provision for guests as well as becoming a hub for basketball coaching, youth leagues and kids’ holiday camp activities. 

Club Director Graham Herstell said: “The move to the Soccerdome is a huge plus for the Giants in the development of the club. 

“We enjoyed two great years in an excellent environment at Wright Robinson Sports College but we believe the move to the Trafford Centre will offer our fans a superior night out and allow more Mancunians to attend matches in a convenient location with great transport links for the whole city.”

Sean Tracey, Chief Executive of Powerleague, which has 46 soccer centres across the country, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Manchester Giants and excited they will be utilising our new multi-sport court for home games. 

“To be part of the growth and development of basketball in Manchester is a very exciting development for the group and we will deliver a fantastic customer experience for all fans in what we expect to be a thrilling season.”  

Work on the arena will be completed by mid-August in time for the BBL pre-season.