Relevent Sports Agree TLA Deal to Bring International Champions Cup to Asia Pacific in 2015

Relevent Sports, a division of RSE Ventures Inc., has signed an agreement with TLA Worldwide plc, a leading athlete representation and sports marketing group, to bring the elite International Champions Cup (ICC) to Asia Pacific from 2015-2018.

The expansion of the ICC for 2015 comes with the ICC Finals to take place this summer at Sun Life Stadium on Aug. 4.

TLA has partnered with Nine Live, wholly owned by Nine Entertainment Co, a leading Australian media and entertainment company, to organize, promote and deliver the ICC to the region from 2015-2018. Participating teams and the host country for the tournament will be announced in due course.

TLA Worldwide Chair Bart Campbell commented: “With this agreement TLA has made a significant move to diversify its activities into the world’s most popular sport. TLA will play a central role in bringing some of the world’s most widely followed clubs and iconic brands to one of the most dynamic regions of Asia. We are delighted to team up with Nine Live who have market leading regional expertise.”

The Asia Pacific ICC tournament will be the first example of TLA’s collaboration with Nine Live to bring world-class sports events to the region and more opportunities are already being developed jointly for the future.

Geoff Jones, Managing Director at Nine Live, said: “TLA’s international relationships within the sports market make them the ideal partner for bringing this exciting tournament to the region. We look forward to working with them to make this event a major fixture in the region’s sporting calendar and are very confident it will be a huge success, as it is in the U.S.”

The ICC transforms the traditional European club pre-season tour into an annual competitive global tournament, which is currently hosted only in the U.S.

The first ICC was held in 2013 and broadcast in 150 countries, featuring eight top clubs from across the world, including A.C. Milan, Chelsea, Everton, Juventus and Real Madrid. This year’s edition features Real Madrid, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, A.C. Milan, AS Roma, Inter Milan and Olympiacos in matches across 12 North American cities.

This year’s tournament final will be held on August 4 in Miami at Sun Life Stadium.

Miami Dolphins Owner to Solely Pay for Sun Life Stadium Renovations after County Deal Reached

National Football League (NFL) franchise Miami Dolphins has agreed a deal with the Miami-Dade County Commission approving renovation plans for Sun Life Stadium.

Miami Dolphins are set to receive bonus payments for hosting marquee events in exchange for Dolphins owner Stephen Ross being solely financially responsible for the $350 million renovation of the stadium.

“I want to thank the Board of County Commissioners and Mayor Gimenez for approving this unique and creative plan to bring Super Bowls and other marquee events to Miami-Dade County,” Ross said in a statement. “We have one of the world’s most aspirational cities and, as such, deserve a stadium that will provide significant economic impact to Miami-Dade County. This will not only secure the future of the Dolphins, but will ensure that Miami has one of the world’s best venues to host events of this magnitude going forward.”

“I”m just excited that we can break ground and get started on creating a world-class facility for a world-class community,” said Dolphins President/CEO Tom Garfinkel. “Now the hard work really begins. We’ve got to get the renovation plans finalized, start construction and get it done.” 

Garfinkel spoke before the county commission and the Dolphins delegation in downtown Miami included Hall of Famers Dan Marino and Larry Little, along with former Dolphins greats Jason Taylor, Dick Anderson and Nat Moore. 

With the agreement with Miami-Dade County in place, Garfinkel said the Dolphins intend on bidding next spring for the next available Super Bowl, SB LIII to crown a champion in the 2018 season. 

“That was part of the intent of trying to get it done,” Garfinkel said. “We want to bring in as many marquee events as we can as soon as we can. 

“Now the hard work really begins. We’ve got to get the modernization plans finalized, start construction and get it done.” 

Garfinkel said the modernization of the stadium would be done in two stages and construction could begin within a few weeks. The goal is to have all of the work done before the start of the 2016 season. 

The new deal was reached under what was termed a Performance-Based Marquee Event Grant Agreement. 

The agreement, which is designed to help bring marquee events such as Super Bowls, college football championships, college football semifinals, World Cup soccer matches as well as other international soccer events, is for a period of 20 years.

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Donald Sterling Agrees to Sell NBA’s LA Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has agreed to sell the team and has dropped his lawsuit against the NBA.

Sterling “has made an agreement with the NBA to resolve all their differences” and as co-owner has given his consent to a deal that was negotiated by his wife, anesthetist Shelly Sterling, ailment to sell the team, hospital said attorney Maxwell Blecher. 

Sterling was fined $2.5m and banned for life from the league after racist comments. Last week, he sued the NBA, alleging it had obtained the information from illegal recordings. 

Last week former Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer offered a record $2bn to buy the Clippers. Sterling’s legal team said that the other NBA team owners will vote on the proposed sale in mid-July.

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Stefano Domenicali Steps Down as Ferrari Team Principal, Successor Named

Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.

The Italian will be replaced by Marco Mattiacci, currently president and CEO of Ferrari North America.

Ferrari have made a disappointing start to the 2014 season, with neither Fernando Alonso nor Kimi Raikkonen scoring a podium over the first three races. In a statement, Domenicali said he takes “responsibility, as I have always done, for our current situation”.

The statement continued: “There are special moments that come along in everyone’s professional life, when one needs courage to take difficult and very agonising decisions. It is time for a significant change.

“This decision has been taken with the aim of doing something to shake things up and for the good of this group of people that I feel very close to. With all my heart, I thank all the men and women in the team, the drivers and the partners for the wonderful relationship we have enjoyed over all these years.

“I hope that very soon, Ferrari will be back where it deserves to be. 

“My final words of thanks go to our President, for having always supported me and to all our fans. I only regret that we have been unable to harvest what we worked so hard to sow in recent years.”

Domenicali joined Ferrari in 1991 and after a series of promotions was appointed sporting director in 2003, when Michael Schumacher took the fourth of his five straight world championship crowns with the team. He then took over from Jean Todt as team principal ahead of the 2008 season.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo paid tribute to Domenicali, saying: “I thank Stefano, not only for his constant dedication and effort, but also for the great sense of responsibility he has shown, even today, in always putting the interests of Ferrari above all else. 

“I hold Domenicali in esteem and I have watched him grow professionally over the twenty three years we have worked together, I now wish him every success for the future.”

Montezemolo also welcomed the appointment of Mattiacci, who joined Ferrari in 1999 and was president and CEO of Ferrari Asia Pacific for four years before his move to the corresponding position for the North American market.

“I also want to wish all the best to Marco Mattiacci, whom I know to be a highly regarded manager and who knows the company well,” Montezemolo added. “He has accepted this challenge with enthusiasm.”

Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Given Three-Year Extension

The Long Beach City Council has proposed a three-year extension to the current Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach agreement, extending the contract through 2018.

Final approval of the amendment will go before the City Council in open session in the next few weeks. The Grand Prix Association has also been informed that simultaneous with the granting of the extension that the Council has instructed City management to enter into the RFP (Request for Proposal) process to determine whether to continue with the Grand Prix Association running Indy cars or to switch to Formula One after 2018.

“We think this is a wise decision by the City Council, pills ” said Jim Michaelian, pills president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association. “It affords the Grand Prix the opportunity to continue to conduct the #1 street race in America while allowing the City to explore another alternative. In the end we are confident that the City will conclude that the partnership it has had with the Grand Prix Association is the most beneficial from every perspective and we will continue to conduct the event in Long Beach for many more years to come.”

ICC Approves Reforms Handing Power to ‘big three’

The board of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a series of reforms handing more power to India, England and Australia.

Eight of the organisation’s 10 members voted in favour of the wide-ranging proposals (Pakistan and Sri Lanka abstained), which include permanent seats for the ‘big three’ countries on a five-man executive committee.

The 16-man ICC board first discussed the controversial measures, which seek to overhaul “the governance, competition and financial models” of the ICC in Dubai on January 28, but voting on proposals was deferred until Saturday’s follow-up meeting in Singapore.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka, both publicly opposed to the changes in the run-up to the vote, while Cricket South Africa and the Bangladesh Cricket Board both voted despite airing their concerns over the shake-up.

Current Board of Control for Cricket in India president N Srinivasan will chair the ICC executive council from later this year, with CA’s Wally Edwards chairing the executive committee and ECB chairman Giles Clarke continuing to head the financial committee.

ICC president Alan Isaac: “There were eight full members who were in a position to support the resolution today.

“The two who have abstained have pledged to further discuss the issues with an aim to reaching unanimous approval over the coming weeks.”

India had complained of a lack of recognition in revenues from global events, and it has now been agreed that full members will receive a greater share of central funds based largely on their own financial contribution, but also considering “their ICC history and their on-field performances in the three formats”.

Speculation emerged earlier this year that the BCCI had considered pulling the India team out of major ICC competitions such as the World Cup and the World Twenty20, had a new distribution scheme not been agreed.

An ICC statement confirmed the new finance agreement was “required to provide long-term certainty of participation of all members in both ICC events and bilateral series against other members”.

The statement added: “Without that certainty, the rights for ICC events, which are to be taken to market this year, would have been significantly impacted and, by extension, so would the financial support that has driven the growth of cricket around the world.”

As expected, plans for a World Test Championship have again been shelved, and the 50-over Champions Trophy will return in 2017 and 2021.

U.S. Bank Seals Refinancing Deal for Denver Broncos’ Stadium

U.S. Bank has finalised a deal with Stadium Management Company to refinance the 12-year-old home of the Denver Broncos, prescription Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The $112 million deal makes U.S. Bank the only lender for the stadium. The original permanent financing for the stadium was provided in early 2002 by four banks, including U.S. Bank.

“We are thrilled to bring this deal to fruition and provide Stadium Management Company with a significantly lower rate and better terms,” said Hassan Salem, president of U.S. Bank in Colorado. “We have been a partner of the Broncos for many years and are pleased to extend that relationship with this new financial agreement.”

U.S. Bank became the official bank of the Denver Broncos in 1999 and is the only bank to offer Broncos Checking, with the Broncos Visa Check Card and access to unique Broncos promotions. The Broncos and U.S. Bank partner for a number of community-oriented activities such as On US Random Acts of Kindness and the Read Like a Pro literacy initiative. 

U.S. Bank has 80 branches and nearly 2,100 employees, U.S. Bank is the third-largest retail bank in the market. Last year, its employees gave back by spending more than 4,300 hours volunteering with local organizations. Statewide, U.S. Bank provided more than $2.3 million in contributions to the community.

LTA Hope Andy Murray’s Wimbledon Victory will Boost Tennis in Britain

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) are looking for Andy Murray’s Wimbledon victory to boost the game in the British Isles.

Murray became the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon final, and his triumph was watched by almost a quarter of the population.

With the extensive coverage Murray received for his win, the LTA commercial director Simon Long says they must take advantage.

“This is the type of thing of which dreams are made. Everyone’s talking about tennis, and we are determined to build on that,” he said.

“It’s not as if this has come from nowhere. We have had a plan in place, a summer and autumn drive, which has been deliberately designed to capitalise at the time when people are most looking to be playing tennis.

“We have a series of initiatives in place to get people on court. We’re also working with a range of partners. It’s very much a team effort.

“Everybody’s incredibly excited. Even with the best-laid plans in place, when a hero like Andy comes along and lifts the Wimbledon trophy, it really is the icing on the cake and it has a ripple effect.”

Manchester to Host 2013 BMX Supercross World Cup

British Cycling, in partnership with Manchester City Council and the UK Sport Gold Event Series, announced today that the first round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup will come to Manchester this April. 

Tickets go on sale for general release Thursday 7th February, 2013.

The event will take place at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, a complex which boasts the largest indoor BMX track in Europe and will span two days (19 – 20 April). Featuring five events on three continents, with the fastest and bravest riders in the world taking the gate at the race and accelerating around the professional indoor course, the BMXSupercross World Cup is BMX racing at its best.

Following the popularity of the European Supercross Series and BMX World Champs being held in Birmingham in 2012 – and with top UK Olympian talent Shanaze Reade and Liam Phillips taking to the track – fans are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment as each race has a 1,800 ticket capacity.

Jonny Clay, British Cycling Cycle Sport and Membership Director, said of the event: “The National Cycling Centre defines Manchester as the heart of British cycling and so it makes perfect sense to host this high octane event in the city. The BMX track is central to Manchester’s world-class facilities and is a base for all cyclists from grassroots development through to Olympic and Paralympic medal winners.”

“Manchester is leading the way in making cycling an accessible sport to people of all ages and abilities across the city and beyond. Through a dedicated schools’ programme and with tickets from as little as £13, anyone interested in BMX can watch pro-riders in action at the Supercross event this April.”

Esther Nicholls, Head of Major Events at UK Sport, added: “Following the success of the 2012 BMX World Championships in Birmingham, we are delighted to bring another BMX event to the UK.

“This is a fantastic addition to UK Sport’s Gold Event Series – which aims to bring over 70 of the world’s most prestigious events to the UK – and we look forward to working closely with British Cycling and Manchester City Council to deliver a truly memorable event.”

NCAA Launch New Ticket Exchange for 2013 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship

PrimeSport, the Official Ticket & Hospitality Provider of the NCAA, today announced the launch of the Official NCAA Ticket Exchange for the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.

The popularity of NCAA March Madness grows every year and fans excitedly seek tickets to support their teams and follow all the great moments of the Championship. On Sunday, March 17th, 68 teams from across the country will be selected to compete in the historic 75th celebration of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship with hopes of making it all the way to Atlanta for a chance to compete in the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four.

The Official NCAA Ticket Exchange allows college basketball fans to buy and sell tickets online for every round of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship in a convenient, safe, and guaranteed environment. Ticket holders who are unable to attend their games or find their team eliminated prior to the final rounds of the championship, have a place to safely sell their tickets. Buyers can be assured that the tickets are authentic and guaranteed, even if the game is sold-out.

“Our priority is always to ensure our fans have the best experience possible as they root for their teams,” said Josh Logan, director of ticketing at the NCAA. “Our partnership with PrimeSport has provided our fans with a safe, dependable and fully authorized method for securing tickets and hospitality packages throughout the championship – from the very first round all the way through the NCAA Men’s Final Four.”

PrimeSport also manages The NCAA Experience program that offers official ticket packages for every round of the championship. Ticket packages can either include official pre-game hospitality with cash bar and refreshments or a NCAA gift card redeemable for official NCAA merchandise at the game. As fans look to secure a spot to watch their team compete, PrimeSport is the only place where you can get guaranteed seat locations, official pre-game hospitality and the assurance of buying directly from the NCAA’s only approved ticket and hospitality package provider.

“We are looking forward to another great year of great college basketball and a historic 75th celebration of this special event,” said Sam Soni, President of PrimeSport. “Through our relationship with the NCAA, we are excited to be able to offer fans The NCAA Experience with official tickets, VIP experiences, and travel packages.”