Allen Stanford Jailed for 110 Years for Ponzi Fraud Scheme

Former cricket tycoon Allen Stanford has been sentenced to 110 years in jail after being found guilty of leading a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of around $7bn.

The former Texan banker was handed the sentence after US District Judge David Hittner in Houston said he was guilty of “one of the most egregious criminal frauds ever presented to a jury in federal court.”

Stanford, drugs 62, apoplectic became known outside of the US when he provided financially for international cricket competitions in the UK and the Caribbean.

His agreement to stage Twenty20 cricket in England collapsed and was followed by investigations by US regulators.

It is believed that around 30,000 investors fell victim to Stanford’s Ponzi style scheme that centred on his banking operation in the Caribbean island nation of Antigua.

Prosecutors said Stanford wasted investor money on failing businesses, yachts and cricket tournaments. He secretly borrowed as much as $2bn from his bank.

Assistant US Attorney William Stellmach said: “From beginning to end, he’s treated his victims like road kill.

“Allen Stanford doesn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy, and he doesn’t deserve your honour’s mercy.”

Stanford, who denied the charges, ran a statement in court on Thursday that said: “I’m not here to ask for sympathy or forgiveness or throw myself at your mercy.

“I did not run a Ponzi scheme. I didn’t defraud anybody.”

Stanford was arrested in 2009 and has spent the last three years in detention after failing to achieve bail.

In 2006 he was listed as the 605th richest man in the world by Forbes Magazine.

NHL Agrees Licensing Deal with Vineyard Vines to Design Accessories

The National Hockey League (NHL) has entered into a licensing agreement with vineyard vines, a company founded by brothers Shep and Ian Murray, who will design and distribute a line of men’s and women’s accessories that include ties, tote bags, and belts for the organisation.

“We’ve had an incredible response from our existing team products and are thrilled about our new licensing arrangement with the NHL,” said Lindsey Worster, Vice President of Brand Communications. “This launch came at the perfect time with hockey in full swing and the holiday gift giving season upon us. Now our customers and NHL fans can bring their team spirit with them wherever they go.”

The summers on Martha’s Vineyard are not far from the frozen winter ponds of Boston, where hockey is a religion, so it was only natural that the colorful New England styling of vineyard vines products would align with the National Hockey League.

Jim Haskins, NHL Group VP of Consumer Products, said: “The NHL is proud to be associated with a brand that is renowned for its product excellence. The NHL vineyard vines tie collection will present expertly crafted workmanship in neckwear with a fun fashion approach that our fans are going to love.”

Product from all 30 NHL teams plus former teams from NHL’s Vintage Hockey nostalgia collection including the New York Americans and Hartford Whalers will be sold on vineyardvines.com, at vineyard vines retail stores, the NHL Powered by Rebook flagship store in New York City and on Shop.NHL.com, the official online store of the NHL operated by e-commerce provider Fanatics.

LA Dodgers Lose $27 Million in Revenue

Los Angeles Dodgers poor attendances may have cost the club $27 million in revenue by the end of regular season, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
The Dodgers are one of the most storied franchise’s in the MLB but have been plagued with problems on and off the field this season. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has had financial problems while the team are sub-500 in the bottom two of the West Division of the National League.
Paid attendance has fallen by nearly 8,000 fans per game in 2011 at Dodger Stadium, the biggest drop-off of any of MLB’s 30 franchises, the Times. Compared to the Dodgers’ $286 million in total revenues in 2009 — tickets, parking and concessions — this year the team is on pace for a reduction of a 9.4 percent or more, according to the newspaper.

Hulsizer Withdraws Bid to Buy NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes

Matthew Hulsizer has withdrawn his bid to buy the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Phoenix Coyotes franchise.

Hulsizer, a co-founder of PEAK6 Investments, was in talks to acquire the troubled franchise from the NHL, which will continue to operate the team until it is sold. The NHL seized control of the club out of bankruptcy after a court battle with former owner Jerry Moyes, who was hoping to sell the Coyotes to Research In Motion co-CEO Jim Balsillie – a deal that would have seen the team relocate to Canada.

The NHL is hoping to find a buyer who would keep the Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf and another unnamed group reportedly remain in negotiations over a possible purchase of the franchise.

A statement from the Franchise said: “The City of Glendale and the National Hockey League continue to negotiate with other interested parties to secure new ownership for the Phoenix Coyotes. The objective continues to be to transition ownership of the club to an interested purchaser in the coming months.”

The City of Glendale has committed funds of up to US$25m to cover any losses and keep the team at Jobing.com Arena for the 2011-12 season.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said: “The Hulsizer decision to withdraw was related to the City of Glendale’s decision to pursue a different deal structure – a structure that several interested purchasers have indicated an interest in pursuing.”

He added: “So, while we are disappointed for Matt that he chose not to continue his pursuit, the development does not represent a step backwards in the process. We are still pushing toward a sale at the earliest possible date.”

Qatar 2022 bid teams up with Lambie-Nairn

The Qatar bid committee to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup has agreed a sponsorship deal with international branding agency Lambie-Nairn, order buy | it has been announced.

The agency is now the official supplier and official brand agency of the Qatar 2022 bid. Lambie-Nairn has been working with the Qatar 2022 Bid since November 2009.

Bid communications director Nasser Al Khater said: “Lambie-Nairn is a world-class branding and design company, and we are delighted to have them on board.

“This shows that our bid continues to attract global support and attention, and we hope to keep the momentum going, with the help of our sponsors, all the way through 2 December.”

CEO of Lambie-Nairn, Christian Schroeder, added: “Working with the bid team and their ambitious plans for 2022 continues to be an exciting journey, and builds upon our experience in the sport industry, and specifically football-obsessed Qatar.

“We take great pride in our status as an official supplier and firmly believe Qatar deserves to have its football dream realised.”

Fifa will announce the host for the 2022 tournament on 2 December.

USOC set to announce BMW deal

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is set to announce a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with car manufacturer BMW next week.

The deal will reportedly be worth around US$24 million until 2016, healing and will make BMW the first foreign car maker to sponsor the USOC and will fill the void left by General Motors who decided not to renew its deal after the 2008 Olympics.

The news comes after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last week announced a deal with Dow Chemical for it to become a top tier sponsor.

BMW has also been in negotiations with the IOC over the possibility of a multi-year deal.

David Beckham’s Personal Income Drops after Retirement

David Beckham’s personal income since he retired from professional football has decreased according to the 2013 accounts for the company that handles Beckham’s personal endorsements.

Footwork Productions showed that revenue dropped to £14.8 million ($A27 million) from £6.5 million ($A30 million) in 2012.

The former England captain stopped playing in May 2013 after five months at Paris Saint-Germain, having left Major League Soccer in December 2012 following more than five years at the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Footwork Productions accounts show that the company’s main activity is the “exploitation of David Beckham’s name and image rights.”

Beckham has deals to promote a host of companies including sportswear firm adidas, clothing firm H&M and British broadcaster BSkyB.

ECHL Hires Agency Impression Sports to Increase Sponsorship Sales

The ECHL, online also know as the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), viagra buy have announced that it has retained Impression Sports & Entertainment (Impression), arthritis a Denver-based sports and entertainment sponsorship agency, as its sponsorship sales and consulting agency of record. 

Impression will work with the ECHL to secure League-wide and team sponsorships, including an unprecedented League naming-rights opportunity, which will be the first in American team sports. Impression will also deliver traditional sponsorships, including branding, media and experiential assets for all 22 teams across the country. 

“We have worked with Chris Foy and his team in the past and they have a firm understanding of the assets of our League,” said ECHL Commissioner Brian McKenna. “As such, Impression Sports & Entertainment is an ideal partner to promote the value the ECHL has to offer.” 

“The ECHL represents a fantastic opportunity for brands to activate within an established sports property that reaches over 3-million fans per year,” said Chris Foy, president of Impression Sports & Entertainment. “We could not be more excited about our partnership with the ECHL and we look forward to the prospect of announcing the League’s naming-rights partner.”

IPC Looks for 2015 General Assembly Host

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have revealed today they are searching for a host for the 2015 IPC General Assembly.

The event staged every two years which regularly attracts hundreds of attendees from around the world was last held in November 2013 in Athens, sale uk viagra. Greece. The IPC General Assembly is the supreme authority of the IPC and is composed of representatives of National Paralympic Committees, help International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled, order Regional Organisations, International Sport Federations, IPC Sports, guests and observers. 

In 2015, the General Assembly and its related meetings will last a total of four days attracting around 350 people from more than 100 countries. 

As well as staging the General Assembly, the successful bid city will also need to host a two-day meeting of the IPC Governing Board, the Allianz Paralympic Sport and Media Awards which recognise the achievements and contributions to the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, and a one-day long Forum. 

Stephanie Keller, the IPC’s Head of Protocol, Hospitality and Events, said: “The IPC General Assembly is the biggest gathering of the IPC membership outside of the Paralympic Games and attracts people from all over the world. 

“This is a high profile event which has greatly benefitted previous host cities including Athens, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur and we are confident that a similar impact will be achieved in 2015.” 

“Bidding cities, amongst many other areas, need to consider the accessibility requirements that come with an event of this nature – covering transport, meeting venues and accommodation.”

FC Barcelona Members Vote in Favour of Nou Camp Revamp

FC Barcelona are set to revamp their Nou Camp stadium after members voted in favour of a £496million redevelopment on the weekend.

The major plans will see the current Nou Camp revamped, its capacity increased more than 5,000 to 105,000 and a roof added.

The space around the stadium will also be redeveloped to include an ice rink, modern office facilities and a 5,000-space car park.

Around one third of Barca members voted in the referendum, 72% approving work due to begin in May 2017 and conclude in February 2021.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu said: “Days like today are when the world sees what FC Barcelona is and means. The support for the proposal has been extraordinary.

“I’m very satisfied. It’s a great day, a democratic festival for the Barca members. Voting made me very happy, as did seeing so many votes cast by members. It’s a huge project that will improve the club for years to come.

“The most important thing is that the members decide in a massive way. The members have given me strength. We will continue to work very hard like we always have and we continue to solve problems.”