Teams participating in the Champions League this season will receive between $10 million and $50 million in revenue redistribution alone.

denture helvetica, buy cialis sans-serif;”>UEFA said Tuesday on its website: “Each of the 32 clubs involved in the group stage will receive a participation bonus of $6.16 million. In addition, arthritis they will be entitled to a match bonus of $871,000 per match played in the group stage. Performance bonuses will also see $1.27 million paid for every win and $633,000 for every draw in the group stage.”

Sides in the round of 16 pick up an extra $4.7 million, quarter-finalists an extra $5.2 million and semifinalists an extra $6.6 million with the winners pocketing a $14 million bonus and the runners-up an $8.8 million bonus.

More than $500 million in TV revenue will also be redistributed to the clubs according to the proportional value of each market represented by the Champions League contenders.

Organisers of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), discount | co-sanctioned by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the International Baseball Federation, announced yesterday, June 1, that the competition will expand from 16 to 28 countries with the addition of a new qualifying round for the 2013 international edition.

The new round of qualifying will feature 16 teams divided into four pools of four teams each. Qualifying games will take place in 2012 and the four pools will operate under a double-elimination format, with each pool winner advancing to the WBC in March 2013.

Brazil, Canada, Taiwan, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Britain, Israel, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Philippines, South Africa, Spain and Thailand have been invited to join the qualifying stage. Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela have already qualified following the results of the 2009 tournament.

MLB commissioner Bud Selig stated: “Growing the game of baseball around the globe is the primary objective of the World Baseball Classic. By expanding the competitive field of the 2013 tournament, we are demonstrating our commitment to this goal and reinforcing that the WBC is the premier showcase of baseball around the globe.”

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has confirmed that the 2016 World Championships will take place in the Russian cities of St Petersburg and Moscow, with Skoda renewing as an official sponsor of the event until 2017

Denmark and Ukraine both withdrew from the bidding tender after they were convinced of the strength of the Russian bid, according to the IIHF, and the 2016 World Championship will coincide with the 70-year anniversary of the introduction of ice hockey to the country.

Russian Hockey Federation president Vladislav Tretyak stated: “Our bid is based on our experience of organising IIHF World Championships and world-class sporting events. We are not inflating the budget, as we say in Russia, because we already have two world-class venues ready, and can use the money for other important things of organizing a tournament.”

According to Yuri Nagornykh, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Sports, Tourism and Youth, visa procedures are to be relaxed for the event, adding: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will send special directions to countries with high interest in the 2016 IIHF World Championship so they will get visas easily. We are also discussing visa-free travelling with the European Union and other countries.”

Meanwhile, Czech car manufacturer Skoda has been secured by Infront Sports & Media as a renewed Official Sponsor of the World Championships until 2017, taking it’s partnership with the IIHF up to a quarter century milestone.

The new agreement covers the period from 2012 to 2017 and is a continuation not only of the main sponsorship, but also of Škoda’s role as Official Car Partner.

Winfried Vahland, Head of Škoda, explained: “We are happy to be the Official Main Sponsor of the IIHF World Championship for another six years and thus to continue an extremely successful
partnership. ŠKODA is putting the pedal to the metal on the international markets. Until 2018, we want to at least double our sales to about 1.5 million vehicles. The fascination with ice hockey
is a perfect fit for ŠKODA. The power of the sport will continue to support us on our future growth course.”

Dr René Fasel, President of the IIHF, said: “Škoda’s involvement with the IIHF World Championship and its continued visual presence in national and international ice hockey has made the brand and the sport become almost inseparable. The long-term commitment speaks for itself in regards to the strength of the work achieved by all parties. I am pleased that Škoda, the IIHF and Infront will remain fully aligned to annually deliver the top event in international ice hockey. Reliable partners such as Škoda build the foundation for the continued and successful development of the tournament.”

Philippe Blatter, President & CEO of Infront, added: “This year’s IIHF World Championship is the first major sports event where Škoda promotes its new corporate identity – a confirmation for the
high value of the IIHF platform for marketing partners. The continued collaboration allows all parties involved to take on a long-term perspective and raise this partnership to new heights. Supported by
Infront’s tailored services, Škoda can further develop as well as activate its sponsorship – to reach ambitious marketing objectives. We are convinced that the steadfast commitment by Škoda for the IIHF World Championship will also be a benchmark and driving force for other marketing partners.”

European football’s governing body Uefa has approved the match schedule for the Euro 2012 finals, it has been announced.

There had been some fears some of the stadiums in the co-host cities of Ukraine and Poland would not be ready in time, but Uefa has now approved eight venues in both Ukraine and Poland at an executivee meeting in Minsk this week.

Poland will stage games in Warsaw, Wroclaw, Poznan and Gdansk, while Kiev, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv will hold matches in Ukraine.

Uefa released a statement which said: “In Poland, Wroclaw and Poznan will host three group stage matches, while Gdansk will stage three group stage matches and a quarter-final.

“Warsaw will host three group stage fixtures, including the opening Group A game featuring Poland, a quarter-final and a semi-final. Poland will play their second group match in Warsaw, and their third in Wroclaw.”

The tournament will take place between 8 June and 1 July 2012.

Co-owner of Premier League side West Ham United, David Gold, has said that former England captain David Beckham could play a key role in helping the club move to the Olympic Stadium after the London 2012 Games.

Beckham played an important part in helping London get the 2012 Games, and is undertaking a similar role for England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Gold said: “David Beckham could play a massive part, because of his roots, in helping West Ham win the Olympic Stadium.

“We know what a great ambassador he is. Now we see David as not just an ambassador for West Ham but also for East London where it all started for him.”

West Ham are one of several bidders to take over the stadium following the Games.

NASCAR announced today an expanded partnership with with Teneo Strategy, pills a strategic advisory firm, to support its public affairs activities following the departure of vice president of public affairs and multicultural development, Marcus Jadotte.

Jadotte will serve as a consultant as NASCAR continues to evolve its diversity and multicultural development initiatives throughout the organization. 

“During his nine years at NASCAR, Marcus has made a truly meaningful impact on our business,” said NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian France. “Thanks in large part to Marcus’ passion and leadership, we have become a leader in diversity and inclusion among the sports industry, and we will continue to deepen our commitment in the years ahead. We are grateful for his years of dedicated service to NASCAR.” 

“The NASCAR ecosystem reaches nearly every facet of the American economy, so it was particularly gratifying to have worked with leading NASCAR stakeholders and to have contributed to the sport’s development over the last nine years,” Jadotte said. “I am especially grateful for the professional support and friendship I have received from Brian France and NASCAR President Mike Helton during my tenure.” 

Among his accomplishments since joining NASCAR in March 2005, Jadotte led the development of the NASCAR Drive for Diversity (D4D) and NASCAR Pit Crew Development programs. 

NASCAR D4D will continue under the leadership of Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president, racing operations (to whom Jadotte reported). The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program and annual NASCAR Diversity Awards also are among a number of diversity and inclusion programs started by Jadotte that will continue at NASCAR.

English Rugby League club Castleford Tigers have revealed new plans for a new stadium.

The Super League club wants to build a 10, ailment 000-capacity stadium as part of a £135m retail development on the site of a disused colliery just off the M62 at Glasshoughton.

Developers Lateral Property Group say the structure will also feature a 50-acre country park and that as many as 2, ambulance 000 jobs would be created.

The purpose-built stadium would be designed to meet Super League requirements, doctor with a mixture of both seating and standing terraces, and it is hoped that work will begin during 2015 with a view to being ready for the 2017 season.

Castleford chairman Jack Fulton said: “Clearly this is a very exciting opportunity for Castleford Tigers to finally get a home fit for the 21st century.

“A new stadium will provide the foundations of a bright new future for the club and much-needed facilities for the wider Castleford community.

“Where previously other plans have not materialised, Castleford Tigers are confident that Lateral Property Group can deliver this new stadium for the club.”

The development is on similar lines to the one proposed for Super League neighbours Wakefield, just two junctions further along the M62.

Philip Lunn, managing director of Lateral Property Group, said: “In addition to delivering this new stadium for Castleford Tigers, the enabling retail development could bring a massive boost to the local economy.

“We have had very positive conversations with some of the biggest names in UK retail and we expect to be able to make further announcements soon.”