UFC Enter UK Shores in Deal with Endemol Games to License Fight Footage

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), viagra 60mg has struck a deal with Endemol Games U.K. to license the fight footage and a dozen fighter’s likenesses to the company for usage in their online slot machines.

Endemol Games is a subdivision of Endemol, recipe a Dutch-based television company known for various American television shows including Deal or No Deal and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The deal creates a new revenue stream for the UFC, denture with the company receiving revenue on a flat licensing fee plus a percentage of the game’s handle, should certain net profit incentives –$1 million dollars annually be met.

Ike Epstein, UFC Exec VP & General Counsel, said: “Everybody wants to make money, but even more important than that, this is a great extension of our brand. Endemol has a great track record of taking great brands and creating very successful games online. One thing we’re blessed with is international reach. When you look at opportunities to take the brand around the world, this is pretty effective and efficient.”

This is the UFC’s second foray into the world of online gaming, the company previously had a sponsorship deal with Full Tilt Poker before they were forced to shut down operations.

Record Breaking NHL Sponsorship Deal in Doubt After Court Ruling

The National Hockey League’s (NHL) most lucrative sponsorship deal in its history has been thrown into doubt after an Ontario judge ruled in favor of Labatt’s claim that the league reneged on its agreement with the beer company.

A Friday, June 3, ruling was made in favor of Labatt’s, which claimed it already had a deal in place with the NHL before the league committed to a US$375m sponsorship agreement with arch-rival Molson Coors in February.

Charlie Angelakos, Labatt’s vice president of corporate affairs, said in a statement: “We are pleased that Budweiser’s sponsorship of the NHL will continue. Budweiser and hockey are a natural fit. We look forward to a very productive relationship with the league through the 2013-14 season and are actively looking for opportunities on a team and grass-roots level to reinforce that connection.”

Labatt took on its beer rival following the agreement reached in February, when it filed a notice of application to the Ontario Superior Court asking the court to toss out the NHL’s new deal with Coors.

Budweiser is owned by Anheuser-Busch, which is Labatt’s corporate parent. Anheuser-Busch is also the sponsor for 22 of the 24 NHL teams currently based in the United States.

Sheffield Wednesday on verge of administration

English soccer club,Sheffield Wednesday face a “distinct possibility” of going into administration, BBC Sport understands.

The Owls face a winding-up petition in the High Court on Wednesday over an unpaid PAYE tax bill of £600,000.

The League One club are talks with three potential buyers, and a takeover would stave off administration.

But Wednesday’s main creditor, the Co-operative Bank, may now decide to place the club into administration in order to secure the £23m owed to it.

With the taxman is also demanding VAT arrears of £300,000 by early December, administration has now become “a distinct possibility” according to a club source.

“We have a number of people who want to invest in the club, but the problem is that chairman Howard Wilkinson and chief executive Nick Parker and not in control of its destiny and are relying on the Co-op bank to do the right thing,” the source added.

One of the parties interested in acquiring the club is a UK investor, willing to inject £5m immediately in order to keep it operational for the rest of the season.

With the deadline on Wednesday looming, this is regarded by the club as the quickest solution, but the Co-op bank has yet to accept the bid as it would keep the debt levels the same.

The other two deals, while understood to be prepared to pay off some of the money owed to the bank, are more complicated, and the club fear time may run out before a deal is completed.

The identities of potential saviours remain secret, although BBC Sport understands Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric is involved with one of the bids despite a statement distancing himself from a takeover last week.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, a Sheffield MP has offered his help to keep the club afloat, and is understood to be considering talks with the Co-operative bank as the High Court hearing approaches.

In September, the 143-year-old club was saved from administration after reaching an agreement with the Co-operative bank over a £1.1m bill owed to HMRC.

But it is now thought the club’s largest secured creditor has run out of patience, and if agreement with a purchaser cannot be achieved, administration will be inevitable.

Wednesday, a top-flight force for the majority of the 1980s and 1990s, were relegated from the Championship last season.

Cricket Australia “incredibly disappointed” by Howard rejection

Cricket Australia has said it is “incredibly disappointed” by the International Cricket Board’s (ICC) decision to reject the nomination of John Howard to become President and that it may affect its relationship with the Board.

The former Prime Minister of Australia was put forward to become the new President of the ICC, but his unpopularity among the powerful Asian and African blocs saw his nomination rejected.

Chairman of Cricket Australia, Jack Clarke, said: “What the genesis…was, we don’t know, that is one of the frustrating things apart from not having any reasons.

“You hope it doesn’t affect the relationship but it obviously puts a block there for a while and makes you wary.

“Gutted and incredibly disappointed that a man of John Howard’s stature has been knocked off for this job. If you keep having processes that don’t work, or are not allowed to work, I am not too sure where they go from here.”

And although Clarke stopped short of blaming the Asian bloc for Howard’s rejection, he did question the amount of power it had. “In any business model where a company has 75 per cent of the income, it’s not an ideal model. But that is not India’s fault they do that…it’s a powerful bloc but it’s a reality of life,” he said.

Nike to Remain Hope Solo’s Partner Despite Legal Problems

Sportswear giant Nike have revealed they will stand by United States women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo despite the recent controversy surrounding her.

Solo was arrested in June over allegations she assaulted her sister and 17-year-old nephew.

Nike issued a statement Monday standing by the U.S. goalkeeper pending developments in her legal situation.

“We are aware of the allegations and that Hope Solo has pled ‘not guilty’ to the charges. Hope remains a Nike athlete and we will continue to monitor the situation,” the statement said.

Solo pleaded not guilty to two counts of fourth-degree domestic violence in June and is scheduled for trial Nov. 4. She faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

ITU Hires VERO to Develop International Communications Strategy

The world governing body of Triathlon, the International Triathlon Union (ITU),  has hired VERO Communications, to develop their communications strategy. 

The London based sports communications consultancy, led by Chairman Mike Lee OBE, will help to develop ITU’s international communications strategy, liaising with international sports media and promoting the federation. VERO will also assist ITU in strengthening its social media platforms, as well as helping to create a digital media strategy to increase public engagement internationally.

Marisol Casado, IOC Member and ITU President, said: “We are very pleased to appoint VERO as our communications partner and we look forward to working with them to further develop our international communications strategy.

“Since Triathlon joined the Olympic Programme at Sydney 2000, the sport has grown in popularity around the world. ITU is immensely proud of Triathlon’s Olympic and Paralympic status and we look forward to continuing the sport’s development internationally and engaging new participants and fans.

“With VERO’s proven expertise in international sport, combined with the work of the ITU team, we know we have a very strong group to help us grow our communications and engagement over the coming years.”

Mike Lee, VERO Chairman, added: “We are thrilled to be appointed by ITU as the organisation’s international communications advisors. The federation has a real ambition to harness the appeal of Triathlon in existing markets and spread the message of the sport to new parts of the world. ITU has a very positive story to tell and our role will be to help ensure that this story is communicated effectively to international sporting stakeholders, media and fans.”

Hampshire Cricket Hires New Contractor to Complete Ageas Bowl Development

Hampshire Cricket’s parent company RB Sport & Leisure Holdings PLC have announced  the appointment of a new contractor, there Powells Group Ltd who will complete the Hilton at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. 

Work on the 175-bedroom hotel ceased in September 2013 when the previous contractor (Denizen) went into administration. The Club has been working intensely alongside all key stakeholders to bring together a complex series of contracts and agreements in order for a new contractor to be appointed. 

Despite the delay there will be no additional cost to Eastleigh Borough Council who remain central to this exciting project. 

The Hotel is now scheduled to open in spring 2015 although the Media Centre it houses will be ready in time to host written and broadcast media at the England v India Investec Test Match starting on 27th July. 

Rod Bransgrove, Chairman of Hampshire Cricket said: “Through no fault of the Club or Eastleigh Borough Council, the Hotel development encountered a major setback towards the end of last year. We have worked tirelessly alongside all the key stakeholders in this project to recommence work in the shortest time possible given the complex nature of this project. Our aim of creating a model Test Match ground and world-class destination resort is stronger than ever although the realisation of this aim will be just a little later than we had originally planned.” 

Gordon Wells, Chairman of Powells Group added: “As a Hampshire based company, we are delighted to have been awarded the contract to complete the Hilton Hotel at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton and our aim is to continue to use local tradesmen and businesses wherever possible. 

“Our forte is the production of high quality commercial interiors, including hotels, retail premises, showrooms, restaurants and offices. Our additional experience of heavy construction work puts us in a perfect position to complete this project on time, on budget and to the highest possible standards as evidenced by our enviable client list including the likes of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Burberry and many other world renowned high profile companies.

European Tour Makes Changes to Final Series Format after Player Criticism

Following player criticism, the European Tour has announced changes to the season-ending Final Series format and the climax to the Race To Dubai.

Along with a big increase in prize money, the major change made by the Tour is the removal of the need for players to play in two of the three Final Series events in order to be eligible for the bonus pool and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The prize fund goes from $3.75 million to $5 million this season, while the concluding World Tour Championship will include the leading 60 players available rather than just those who finished inside the top 60 in the Race To Dubai standings.

The likes of Sergio Garcia and Ernie Els were critical of the new criteria last season, as the European Tour introduced the Final series to rival the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup that forms the end of their season.

The closing events will remain the same, with the BMW Masters, WGC-HSBC Champions and Turkish Airlines Open being held before the World Tour Championship – but the changes in qualification have been made after discussions with the players and the Tournament Committee of the European Tour.

Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said that they had listened to the player when making the changes.

“The inaugural staging of The Final Series was a huge success with the best golfer in the world at the end of last year – Henrik Stenson – eagling the final hole at Jumeirah Golf Estates to win not only the DP World Tour Championship but also The Race to Dubai.

“However, The European Tour always listens to its Membership and we were aware that there was some fine tuning required to the overall structure of The Final Series to make an already excellent product even better. We are confident that the changes we are announcing today will do just that.”

FIBA Green Lights Changes at Extraordinary Congress

Members of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) at an Extraordinary Congress in Istanbul have voted unanimously in favour of a new set of general statutes. 

During the meeting, 198 of the world governing body’s 214 national federations voted on the changes and improvements to the organisation.

The changes included adjusting the next cycle of term of office to FIBA’s new competition calendar, increasing its Central Board membership from 23 to 29 members and including more stakeholders, supporting and implementing the principle of thinking globally and ensuring that the Congress has a central role in shaping future policies by directly electing an important number of Central Board members and by meeting every two years as of 2017.

“This is a memorable day in FIBA’s history,” said FIBA President Yvan Mainini.

“This unanimous vote strengthens FIBA’s unity and position in the world of sport.

“It commits all national member federations to embrace FIBA’s ambitious growth projects like the 3×3 and the new 2017 FIBA competition system.”

Also FIBA secretary general and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Patrick Baumann added: “The new FIBA governance is a tool toward FIBA’s vision of making basketball the most popular sports community and bringing more and new countries to the forefront.

“It is also an important step toward a more united, efficient and modern structure that wants to include all basketball stakeholders.

“These new statutes provide FIBA with a solid foundation and a strong structure for the future.”

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Dover International Speedway Hires Crossmedia as Agency of Record

Dover International Speedway, clinic situated in Delaware, has selected Crossmedia as their media agency of record.

The account will be handled out of the Philadelphia office of Crossmedia.

Considered the fastest one-mile race track in the world, Dover is home to spring and fall NASCAR weekends, which include the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and K&N Pro Series East. The 113,000-seat venue is well-known among race fans as the Monster Mile.

“Dover International Speedway is a true legend in the racing world, with an incredible and storied history,” said Chris Ebmeyer, head of Crossmedia’s Philadelphia office. “It’s home to NASCAR races, but it’s also a true brand experience and destination in itself. To be able to partner with the team at Dover on such a legendary initiative, and drive the business forward, is thrilling.”

Crossmedia will handle all media planning and buying for the venue, including TV, radio, print, online and non-traditional media. The agency’s first campaign for Dover will launch in conjunction with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 23, in key markets within the region.