International Wellness company Zrii LLC has announced today that retired NFL star and Super Bowl Champion Dexter Carter has joined Zrii as an Independent Executive.

“Having achieved success at the highest levels in my collegiate and professional football careers, it was a natural fit for me to join the Zrii Family,” says Mr. Carter. “Post-game success does not come easily to most high performance athletes. We see Zrii as the vehicle that will empower members of our community physically and financially after the final whistle blows on their high school, college or professional careers.”

Winning the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers highlighted Mr. Carter’s seven year professional career. He was selected in the first round of the NFL draft after achieving All-American honors as a running back for the Florida State UniversitySeminoles. In 1996 he was named to the 50^th Anniversary All-Time San Francisco 49er Team.  He later returned to Florida State University as an assistant coach where he helped guide the Seminoles to a Champs Bowl title in 2008 and the Gator Bowl Championship in 2010.

“I am excited to partner with Zrii Founder and CEO Bill Farley, President A. K. Khalil and Dr. Deepak Chopra to bring health and wellness to the international marketplace through Zrii.  And I envision not only equaling, but eventually surpassing, the financial rewards I received from performing in the NFL.”  Mr. Carter, who also holds a master’s degree in business management, adds: “Thank you to Gerald D. Rogers and J. T. and Santa Thompson for sharing the vision and making it clear that Zrii is the company of choice to achieve my goals.”

Zrii’s revenues have soared 400% in the last nine months. The company was founded in 2008 with the goal of enhancing the health and happiness of people around the world through all-natural nutrition and wellness products. 

The Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club and the Gerry Webber Open in Halle has been granted World Tour 500 status from 2015 along with increased prize money form the events, the ATP have announced.

Both events are pre-Wimbledon warm-up tournaments, and have been upgraded from the Tour 250 tier.

The development will result in increased prize money to coincide with a three-week grass-court swing between the French Open and Wimbledon in two years’ time. Currently just two weeks separate the grand slams.

Queen’s tournament director Chris Kermode said: “The Aegon Championships has always been a world-class event and this move further strengthens the status of the tournament with increased ranking points and prize money at an exciting time for grass-court tennis, with The Championships, Wimbledon expanding the season in 2015.”

Meanwhile, the ATP confirmed that prize money for Tour 500 events would increase by an average of 10% annually over the next five years.

Laurent Delanney, chief executive of ATP Europe, said: “We are delighted to have reached this outcome which sees significant prize money increases for the players, as well as the addition of two very strong tournaments in Queen’s and Halle to the ATP World Tour 500 category from 2015.

“The decision not only strengthens the 500s category as a whole but also enhances the grass-court season leading into Wimbledon. It is a terrific outcome for our players, tournaments and the sport as a whole.”

Queen’s and Halle will join Rotterdam, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, Barcelona, Hamburg, Washington, Tokyo, Beijing, Valencia and Basle as Tour 500 events.

Oman Sail have partnered with luxury car manufacturer, Rolls Royce to launch a senior training program in the country.

The aim for developing ambitious Omani sailing coaches continues after Oman Sail launched its first ever Senior Instructor course accredited by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

As part of the initiative to bring the Sultanate’s rich maritime history and sailing traditions back into everyday Omani lifestyles, Oman Sail is focussing attention on providing the best home grown tuition for the upsurge in young sailing talent coming through its three sailing schools in Marina Bandar Al Rowdha, Mussanah Sport City and The Wave, Muscat,

With four additional sailing schools set to be established in Oman by 2016 in Sur, Sohar Musandam and Salalah, the growth in the numbers of Omani children and adults requiring instruction at all levels is expected to be substantial as the clamour for new sailing activity gathers pace.

The need to put high-quality coaching programmes in place has been a priority since Oman Sail was set up in 2008 but increasingly, the focus is shifting away from seeking expertise outside of Oman to developing it at home with the launch of ISAF Level 2 Technical Course for Coaches the latest example

Previously senior instructors had to venture to the UK for training but as of December 2012, they can now gain their professional qualifications in Oman by completing Oman Sail’s Senior Instructors programme, which has been set up in conjunction with partners Rolls Royce, who has invested in this program to support Oman Sail in achieving excellence in their training and qualification standards.

Also known as ‘Train the Trainers’ programme, the ISAF Level 2 Technical Course for Coaches is designed to teach coaches how to develop a standardised training course to successfully coach and qualify Level 1 coaches.

The course embraces lessons in learning and coaching styles, teaching aids, land drills and making theory sessions more interactive. It highlights the importance of management skills with sessions in managing individual Assistant Coaches and Level 1 Coaches and continual professional development at the Training centres.

Al Ambusaidi, Centre Manager of Oman Sail’s Sailing School at the Wave Muscat said: “Earlier we had to travel abroad to be able to qualify for such certification. Now we have the facilities and the appropriate structure to run  such courses in the Sultanate. This will enable us to qualify more Omanis to be equipped with such expertise and skills that can help develop sailing in Oman and qualify them to run sailing centres across the country in the future.

“We have receive many enquiries for sailing classes in daily basis. As more schools are set up across the country’s coast line, we will be able to develop and spread the sport of sailing making it easily accessible for both boys and girls.

“The senior instructor course also helps build a solid foundation for these sailing schools and we aim to recruit more Omanis from the Governates and Wilayats in which these schools will operate and help train them and qualify them to lead the schools.”

The National Hockey League (NHL) lockout negotiations finally made some progress after the League offered the union a 50-50 split in hockey related revenue and plans for an 82-game season that would start on Nov. 2.

The Stanley Cup would be played “before the end of June, pills ” said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman if a deal is reached. It would mean playing an extra game every five weeks.

“We believe it is our best shot at preserving an 82-game regular-season and playoffs, bronchi ” Bettman told reporters during a break in talks with the union. “This offer we made is contingent upon having an 82-game regular season.

“We offered a 50-50 share of hockey-related revenues we believe we address the concern that players have about about their salaries as a result of reducing their percentage.”

The league envisions a one-week training camp, leaving the two sides about nine days to reach a final deal.

“We believe this is a fair offer for a long-term deal. It’s one we hope will get a positive reaction so we can drop the puck on Nov. 2,” said Bettman.

The union has requested time to look the proposal over.

“Our hope after we review this is that there will be a feeling on the players’ side that this will be a proposal from which we can negotiate and try and reach a conclusion,” NHLPA executive driector Donald Fehr told reporters.

When asked if the proposal was an improvement over previous league offers, Fehr said: “In some respects I think it is, in other respects I’m not sure. We have to look at it.”

The talks started about a half-hour later than expected Tuesday, but Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly made the short walk on Bay St., south from the league offices in the Air Canada Centre to the NHLPA offices where Fehr and his staff waited.

Wie das Magazin Sponsors berichtet, impotent hat Nike vor dem Landgericht Nürnberg/Fürth eine einstweilige Verfügung gegen den Konkurrenten Adidas durchgesetzt. Der Herzogenauracher Sportartikelkonzern muss damit die Produktion und den Verkauf eines Laufschuh-Modells stoppen.

„Es geht um die Unterlassung der Produktion und Vermarktung dieses Schuhs in Deutschland“, sagt Nike-Sprecher Olaf Markhoff. Bei Adidas wollte man die Entscheidung inhaltlich nicht kommentieren. „Uns liegen die Unterlagen vor, und die prüfen wir jetzt“, hieß es von Unternehmensseite. Adidas hatte den umstrittenen Schuh, bei dem das Obermaterial nicht wie üblich aus verschiedenen Teilen zusammengeklebt, sondern aus einem Stück hergestellt wird, in kleiner Auflage bei den Olympischen Spielen 2012 in London vorgestellt.

Nike sieht in dem Schuh jedoch eine Verletzung eines eigenen Patents aus dem Jahr 2002. Auf dessen Grundlage hatte der US-amerikanische Konzern in diesem Frühjahr die sogenannte „Flyknit Footwear Technologie“ vorgestellt, bei der das Obermaterial aus einem Stück gehäkelt wird. Bei dieser Produktionsweise soll als positiver Nebeneffekt besonders wenig Abfall entstehen.

Beim juristischen Streit zwischen den Konkurrenten ist vorerst kein Ende in Sicht. Denn um die einstweilige Verfügung in ein dauerhaftes Unterlassungsurteil umzuwandeln, hat Nike bereits angekündigt, ein Hauptsacheverfahren anstrengen zu wollen, und damit ein dauerhaftes Verkaufsverbot für den Adidas-Schuh.

Sportswear retailer Li Ning’s Hong Kong trading was boosted after its CEO stepped down, and private-equity firm TPG Capital said it could increase investment in the company if necessary.

Li Ning’s founder and Olympic gymnast Li Ning will help run the company while it searches for a new CEO to replace Zhang Zhi Yong.

TPG Capital partner Kim Jin Goon invested in the retailer earlier this year and will become Executive Vice Chair.

Li Ning’s profit dropped 65 percent last year last year “amid escalating competition” from Nike, adidas and Anta Sports Products.

China-based Guotai Junan Securities  analyst Jerry Peng said: “TPG has quite strong retail experience and now they’re playing a bigger role, so the market has high expectations for next year.”

Hong Kong-traded Anta reported a 20 percent sales increase in 2011,  Li Ning’s sales dropped 5.8 percent to 8.9B yuan (us $1.4B billion).

Li Ning will focus more on its business in China.

Kim Jin Goon said: “The first most important focus for us is to build a very clear and strong brand with clear brand strategy that focuses on the core businesses in China.” {jcomments on}

A mutli-year extension of a sponsorship deal between the National Basketball Association (NBA) and shoe retailer Foot Locker has been agreed, according to a report on Media Post.

Foot Locker will remain as title sponsor of the three-point contest at the yearly NBA All-Star game, a sponsorship the company has held since 2004. The contest has run ever since 1986 at the annual showcase game.

This year’s edition, which will take place on 20th February at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will feature a ‘3 for 3 sweepstakes’ competition with entry available in Foot Locker stores, online, or via text. Prizes include cash and Foot Locker gift vouchers.

Spectators at this year’s All-Star game will be given Foot Locker ‘cheer cards’. The company will also be entitled to player appearances in stores in Los Angeles.

Baton 2010 Ltd., see owners of Charlton Athletic soccer club of NPower League One, therapy have agreed the sale of the club to former chief executive Peter Varney.

Legal and financial due dilligence processes have now begun and the takeover is expected to receive official clearance before the 24th December. Charlton fan Richard Murray is owner of the Baton 2010 Ltd. who took control of the club earlier in the year to restructure the English soccer club. Charlton Athletic PLC had previously announced that it could no longer operate under the weight of its £30m (US$47m) debt. A bid from Sebastien Sainsbury was turned down by Murray in November.

Proposed new owner Peter Varney held his position as chief executive for 11 years between 1997 and 2008.

The South Korean government has appointed Kim Jin-sun, former Gangwon Province Governor, as ambassador for PyeongChang’s 2018 Winter Olympic Bid.

Kim was Governor for three consecutive terms and his appointment is considered a major boost for PyeongChang’s bid because of his experience leading the PyeongChang 2010 and 2014 Winter Games bids.

According to PyeongChang 2018, Kim will now work with the bid committee and “use his valuable international experience to help promote the bid to his network of global sporting community contacts”.

The Korea Times reports Kim is known to have a wide network within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sports arena through his bid activities.

Yang ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of PyeongChang 2018 said, “on behalf of the bid committee I welcome the appointment of Jin-sum Kim as an ambassador for PyeongChang 2018. Jin-sun Kim will join the PyeongChang 2018 delegation at the OCA General Assembly this week and his wealth of experience working with the Olympic Family and the international sports community will prove invaluable as we approach the final months of the campaign”.

Meanwhile the South Korean government met Tuesday to reaffirm its support for PyeongChang 2018 and outline plans to coordinate and develop key features of the bid for the remainder of the campaign. Representatives from 14 government departments, Gangwon Province, the Korean Olympic Committee, and the PyeongChang 2018 bid committee also discussed how all parties will work effectively together to coordinate the forthcoming IOC Evaluation Commission visit in February.

Northern Racing has agreed a ground-breaking 40-year agreement on pitch positions with on-course bookmakers in a first for the sport.

The agreement is the product of discussions since the Gambling Act was introduced in 2007. The commercial deal on positions in betting rings in September 2012, health and last until 2052, with an option of a further 10-year extension.

The continuation of auctioning and private sales of positions has also been incorporated into the deal.

The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers (FRB) now intends to recommend the agreement to its colleagues.

Group managing director of Northern Racing, Tony Kelly, said: “We are delighted to be the first major racecourse Group to have reached a commercial agreement with the FRB in what is a first for the racing industry.

“A long-term arrangement recognises the role that on-course bookmakers play at our venues.  It provides certainty for the bookmakers, and demonstrates what can be achieved when representatives of the horse racing and betting industries work together for their respective mutual benefit.”

Barry Johnson of the FRB added: “This agreement is the result of many months of hard work and we hope that our members will find it acceptable.  We are eager for it to stimulate deals at other RCA courses, since the future for on-course bookmakers is still uncertain for the majority.

“We thank Northern Racing for the good spirit in which the talks took place, and hope for more of the same elsewhere because there remains much to do before the 2012 deadline.”