UFC Fighter George St-Pierre Signs License Deal with Digital Shelf Space

Digital Shelf Space (DSS) Corp. has signed a long term licence agreement with George St-Pierre (GSP) that will look into potential future fitness products and services under the Rushfit brand, site effective from December 12, find 2011.

The new long term Licence agreement is in addition to DSS’s original agreement with Georges St-Pierre (“GSP”) for its innovative GSP Rushfit ultimate home workout DVD fitness series.

“Working with the team at DSS has been a fantastic experience thus far, cough they are the best at what they do, and they have delivered on exactly what they said they would when we first began the GSP Rushfit project together late last year,” said Georges St-Pierre. “I am very excited about the potential to bring new fitness products and services to my fans around the world under the Rushfit brand.”

The new Licence Agreement provides DSS a revenue share on all new business ventures utilizing the Rushfitbrand, whether such ventures are done by DSS and GSP together or if GSP utilizes the Rushfit brand for any mutually approved products and services that do not directly involve DSS.

Jeffrey Sharpe, CEO and President, said: “We are very excited to have solidified a long term relationship with GSP under the Rushfit brand. Extending our original relationship from exclusively the GSP Rushfit DVD home workout series to now include all new business ventures utilizing the Rushfit brand is a tremendous step for DSS and a significant revenue opportunity for both parties. GSP is a first class individual and a global brand all in one package, it has been an absolute pleasure working with him thus far. Both the DSS and GSP camps are working to bring new Rushfit fitness products and services to the marketplace either together and or under Licence to third parties.”

GSP Rushfit was designed to appeal to the massive global audience with an interest in MMA and MMA training methods as a complete home fitness workout program. GSP Rushfit combines three of the hottest fitness trends. The complete program uses various MMA conditioning exercises, intense circuit style training and body weight training for fitness consumers to build muscle, cut weight and get in shape. GSP Rushfit is unlike any fitness program available.

Georges St-Pierre has dedicated his life to Mixed Martial Arts and is regarded as one of the top conditioned athletes not only in the sport, but also in the world. Fitness fans everywhere can benefit directly from the same commitment GSP has made to his own health and fitness.

NHL Team St Louis Blues on the Brink of Being Sold

An announcement of a purchase agreement between NHL team St. Louis Blues and businessman Matthew Hulsizer could be made today, as both sides are close to signing an agreement, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Last week, multiple reports indicated that a sale was close and that a verbal agreement was in place for Hulsizer, a Chicago businessman, to buy a majority stake in the club.

The purchase agreement is merely the next step in the process; it cannot be finalized until the deal is approved by the NHL Board of Governors, which will likely take several weeks.

Blues chairman Dave Checketts has been looking for a buyer since March, when he announced the team was for sale, and had hoped to have a deal in place by the start of the regular season.

Hulsizer previously showed interest in the Blues, but he seemed to be out of the picture when his initial offer was rejected.

The Post-Dispatch estimates the sale price to be $190 million, which also includes the lease to the Scottrade Center, the Blues’ home; the team’s AHL affiliate in Peoria, Ill., and the Peabody Opera House adjacent to Scottrade.

Hulsizer would run the Blues under the proposed deal, but Checketts would remain involved in some capacity, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Hulsizer was close to buying the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes but eventually bowed out after an Arizona watchdog group threatened litigation to block the sale of bonds to help facilitate the purchase.

The Blues are known to have rejected a bid from current minority owner Tom Stillman, who owns 10 percent of the team, and from Calgary businessman Max Chambers, according to the Post-Dispatch.

Chambers acknowledged last month that his offer of $167 million was rejected.

Selig: MLB Play-off Expansion Possible

Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner Bud Selig is open to the idea of expanding the play-offs at the end of every season, but has insisted recent talk of realigning the League’s divisional structure is premature.

Currently, eight teams qualify for the post-season event under the current system, less than any other top American sports’ play-offs system. The current MLB play-offs has four fewer than the number of National Football League (NFL) teams that make the play-offs and half the number of teams that reach the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association (NBA) play-offs.

However, Selig did say that the League had not decided what length a play-off series between wildcard teams would be.

Selig said: “We only have eight of 30 teams (making the post-season). That’s the least number in sports. If we go to 10 (teams), that’s 10 out of 30. Twenty go home. That’s not too many. I can make a case for 10, no more than 10.”

There has been recent speculation that the 16-team National League and 14-team American League could be restructured to have 15 teams in each, but Selig added: “There have been some stories about it lately that I found to be somewhat premature. I talk to people about it from time to time. Is there anything imminent? No.”

With the NFL and NBA currently in lockout scenarios, Selig was also asked about MLB’s progress in labour talks with the players’ union ahead of the expiration of the existing collective bargaining agreement in December, to which he replied: “In my baseball career that started in 1970 we had eight work stoppages and one became more painful than the other.

“Of the many things I’m proud of about my commissionership is that we’ve had 16 years of labour peace,” Selig added. “I’m very sensitive to what’s going on in the other sports. We’ve started our negotiations. It’s been constructive, but it’s early.”

Platini: Bulgaria able to host Youth Euro 2013, must avoid football fraud

Bulgaria is all set for hosting the youth Euro 2013, said UEFA president Michel Platini, who is on an official visit to the country Sunday.

Bulgaria currently is being considered together with four more potential hosts to the 2013 event – the Czech Republic, England, Israel and Wales.

Platini said he and Bulgarian Football Union President Borislav Mihailov had complete unanimity in matters they discussed. “The only thing we disaggreed on is whether he’d be able to save a penalty kick by me,” joked the former French midfielder in regards to his talks with the former Bulgarian goalie.

The UEFA president did not express a great familiarity with Bulgarian club football, but said that the UEFA central has sent letters to the Bulgarian Football Union requesting information about official games of the national championship that are suspected to have been settled outside of the field.

“It is not up to the Bulgarian Football Union and Mihailov to review the signals and to decide whether to refer matters to the prosecutor,” stated Platini, demanding fair play and transparency in the Bulgarian National Championship.

During his visit to Sofia, Michel Platini also met Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov. Among other things, the two discussed opportunities for financing projects relating to football.

South African government to investigate state World Cup ticket purchases

The South African government will look into why public-owned companies spent over US$14 million on tickets for this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, had asked government ministers before the tournament not to overspend on the purchasing of tickets as he looks to try and control costs.

A statement from the finance ministry said:” While there may be legitimate reasons for buying tickets to advance the business case of public enterprises and government departments, concern has been raised as to what action may be taken should the auditor-general deem this expenditure wasteful or fruitless.

“The minister reiterates his call for civil servants to live up to their moral contract with citizens and for restraint and discernment to be exercised in the use of public funds.”

Chief Exec of Leicestershire CCC resigns

David Smith, the Chief Executive of Leicestershire County Cricket Club has handed in his resignation after two-and-a-half years in the role.

Smith puts his reasons behind resigning down to ‘interference’ in cricketing matters from Chairman Neil Davidson.

Smith said: “The Chairman seems to think he is entitled to intervene in selection and that is unacceptable to me. I think I have reason to bring it to everyone’s attention.

“We have had intervention from the board on cricketing matters and I don’t think that is appropriate. I’m very disappointed at having to make this decision. I’m 25 per cent into the job of trying to move the club forward and I believe we have started to see that.

“I inherited a club that had six Kolpak players and we have made significant progress from that time. The ground was dilapidated when I took over but the facilities for the membership have been improved during my time.

“I’m very disappointed but I cannot have intervention from the Chairman and the board.”

The club issued a statement which read: “The board of directors of Leicestershire County Cricket Club regrets to announce that it has today accepted the resignation of its Chief Executive, David Smith.

“The club is in discussions with David as to the date of his departure. Mike Siddall has been appointed to role of acting Chief Executive until a permanent appointment can be made.”

Dove Men+Care Launch New Marketing Campaign with Stanford University Coach Davis Shaw

Stanford University football coach David Shaw has agreed a partnership with Dove Men+Care Deodorant who will launch the ‘Care Always Wins’ campaign, to draw attention to the importance of care and how it helps end irritations inside the locker room and on the field.

As part of the ‘Care Always Wins’ campaign, Coach Shaw, who has earned multiple coaching leadership awards over his 20-year career, will inspire families and sports fans to visit DoveMenCare.com to nominate impactful coaches in their local communities for the inaugural Dove Men+Care Deodorant “Caring Coach of the Year Award.” Three K-12 coaches will be selected and honored in Atlanta, Georgia by the College Football Hall of Fame, an organization devoted to celebrating football’s greatest players and coaches as positive role models.

“Coaches have the power to teach much more than the physical elements of the game — my job is to guide players on how to be successful in the heat of competition, as well as in the classroom, and after graduation,” said Coach Shaw. “I am extremely proud to be part of a campaign that champions the influential role coaches play in young people’s lives every day, and hope we soon see a larger shift in how athletics prioritizes positive, caring attitudes.”

The Dove Men+Care Deodorant ‘Care Always Wins’ program will kick-off during the start of the college football season this week at Stanford University’s Fan Fest, on Saturday September 6, 2014.

“Dove Men+Care Deodorant is a brand dedicated to providing care in our products that help end underarm irritation, so that all men can stay focused on what matters most” says Matthew McCarthy, Senior Director of Deodorants/Antiperspirants, Unilever. “We understand how important care is in all aspects of life and admire the resounding impact a coach’s care can have on players. We are excited to put the spotlight on the most caring coaches who demonstrate how more care means less irritation on and off the field.”

Infront to Work On International Media Rights for Serie A

Italy’s top football league Serie A has signed a partnership with Infront Sports & Media for the agency to be an exclusive advisor in exploiting the national and international media rights for all its properties including Lega Serie A.

The contract secures Infront’s role until the end of the 2017/18 season, with the possibility of extending the agreement for a further three-year cycle until 2020/21. Overall, it will guarantee the league a minimum revenue of EUR 5.94 billion for the next six seasons.

The agreement was signed today in Milan with Maurizio Beretta, President of Lega Serie A, Marco Bogarelli, President of Infront Italy, Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront and also the Serie A clubs’ presidents and representatives attending.

Over the past months, Infront has worked closely with Lega Serie A to outline the final long-form agreement. In the forthcoming days the media packages for domestic rights tender for Serie A TIM League, TIM Cup and TIM Supercup for the period 2015/16 to 2017/18 will be defined. 

Maurizio Beretta, President of Lega Serie A, said: “We are proud to continue our strategic partnership with Infront. Over the past years it has allowed us to increment the media rights value. The new agreement confirms that Italian football is of great value – recognised nationally and internationally – and, thanks to the new technologies, we will work on diffusing it globally, with a particular attention to new generations.”

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront, added: “In the past six years, the League and Infront have proven the success of its partnership, significantly increasing the value of Lega Serie A media rights and further exploiting the high potential of the respective properties. We are delighted to continue to provide our professional advice and expertise to our partner Lega Serie A – further strengthening the appeal and accessibility of Italian football and providing seamless, targeted and premium football content across multiple delivery platforms and devices for the fan.”

Tunisia to Host First-Ever WBSC Congress in May

Tunisia in North Africa will host the first-ever WBSC Congress, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced today.

The event will be organised in Hammamet, Tunisia 10-11 May 2014. 

The historic inaugural WBSC Congress will unite all national governing bodies of the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the International Softball Federation (ISF) for the first time under the umbrella of the WBSC, as elections will be held to select all positions within the WBSC Executive Board, including that of the president.

Never before has an IBAF or an ISF Congress been organised in Africa — what is now a primary target of the WBSC’s growth strategy to deepen baseball and softball’s global footprint.

With the decision to award the Congress to Tunisia, WBSC officials have confirmed the focus will be on those emerging territories with high potential for development, and where baseball and softball can be practiced to activate the youth demographic, promote gender equality, encourage greater universality and where the National Federations can build and reinforce their National Teams for international competition.

“This is another key milestone — across many levels — for the global evolution of baseball and softball,” said WBSC co-Presidents Riccardo Fraccari and Don Porter, “and we are not only honoured but we are particularly proud to have Tunisia as the host of the WBSC’s very first Congress.”

WBSC’s Fraccari and Porter noted that baseball and softball’s union has resulted in increased opportunities and reach — and has raised the potential legacy and value of WBSC’s events so that new hosts like Tunisia are showing serious interest for the first time.

“We are committed to growing the appeal and relevance of baseball and softball in emerging territories across Africa and around the world, and Tunisia’s excellent bid is a key indicator that underscores baseball and softball’s continued worldwide emergence and highlights the attractiveness, benefits and realities of baseball and softball’s partnership,” said the WBSC co-presidents.

USGA Selects Torrey Pines as 2021 U.S. Open Host

The U.S. Golf Association has awarded the 2021 U.S. Open to the city-owned Torrey Pines golf course pending city approval. 

Mayor Kevin Faulconer told U-T San Diego on Monday that an item will be placed on the City Council docket this week that asks it to support hosting the prestigiuos event 13 years after the successful 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

“It’s a great win for San Diego, pharm ” Faulconer said. “The fact that we’ve been selected again speaks volumes as to how this city came together and put on a world-class tournament in ’08. It just shows, from the USGA’s standpoint, that we know how to get it done.”

Tiger Woods won the 2008 US Open in a playoff against Rocco Mediate.