United Autosports to Enter Team for 2014 British Touring Car Championship

United Autosports have announced they will enter the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) after securing two TOCA BTCC licences.

The team will be fielding two Toyota Avensis touring cars for drivers James Cole and Glynn Geddie. James drove in the 2013 BTCC championship and Glynn won the European Supercar Challenge Championship with United Autosports in 2013. 

United Autosports, for sale which started competing in 2010, cheap will be entering their fifth year of competition and are looking forward to taking the next step in their relatively short existence. The British Touring Car Championship is one of Britain’s most popular and competitive series, giving United Autosports a new challenge for 2014. 

The team will contest GT races alongside the BTCC, appearing in the British GT Championship with Mark Patterson and Matt Bell in the Audi R8 LMS ultra, as well as contesting the usual overseas races: the Spa 24 Hours, Gulf 12 Hours, Macau GT Cup and the Bathurst 12 Hours. The team will also be entering a selected range of historic races in 2014, with the Zak Brown Race Cars of Distinction collection.  

Zak Brown, Team Owner, United Autosports, said: “The British Touring Car Championship is the most popular motor racing series in Great Britain outside of Formula 1. It’s seriously competitive, the racing is exciting and it’s commercially viable, as the capacity grids show. I’m thrilled that United Autosports are going to be part of the BTCC as well as continuing our strong presence in the British GT Championship.” 

Richard Dean, Team Owner and Managing Director, United Autosports, added: “We are really excited to be entering the 2014 British Touring Car Championship. It’s a new direction for the team and the BTCC is known across the country as a highly competitive championship so we are looking forward to taking on the new challenge. We have a strong driver line up in James and Glynn; James’ BTCC experience and Glynn’s pure driving skill will be invaluable to the team in 2014. We will still be entering the British GT Championship with Mark Patterson and Matt Bell, along with attending other overseas races throughout the year.”

F1 Majority Stakeholder CVC Plans to ‘Fire’ Ecclestone if Found Guilty

Majority Formula1 shareholders CVC have revealed they would ‘fire’ chief Bernie Ecclestone if he was found guilty of committing a crime with a jailed German banker.

CVC co-founder Donald Mackenzie told a hearing at London’s High Court on Monday that they would have no choice but dump the 83-year-old despite his hold on the business side of the Formula 1.

“If it is proven that Mr Ecclestone has done anything that is criminally wrong, we would fire him,” he said.

Ecclestone is up against a $100 million damages claim over allegations that he sold the business for too little when CVC became the largest shareholder in a deal agreed in late 2005.

Speaking further about the case, Mackenzie revealed a meeting with Ecclestone in February 2011 at which the Formula One head told him of the payment, despite earlier denials.

“He told me that he had had a meeting with one of his colleagues who had reminded him that he had made payments to Gribkowsky and he apologized for having forgotten this,” Mackenzie told the court.

“He told me he had never lied to me and I must say that I had trouble believing you could forget payment of $40 million,” Mackenzie said.

Gribkowsky, former chief risk officer at German bank BayernLB, was jailed for 8-1/2 years in 2012 over a $44 million payment made by Ecclestone and an Ecclestone family trust after the CVC deal.

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Tyson Chandler Named First American NBA UNICEF Ambassador

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced that NY Knicks’ Tyson Chandler is the newest UNICEF Ambassador.

Chandler—the first American NBA player to be named a UNICEF Ambassador—will fundraise, allergist educate and advocate on behalf of vulnerable children around the world.

In his first role as UNICEF Ambassador, erectile Chandler will light the UNICEF Snowflake this Friday on 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. The lighting ceremony will help raise awareness of areas of the Philippines ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan. The latest estimates indicate that as many as four million children could now be affected by the disaster. 

Following his gold medal win with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball team at the London Olympics, Chandler travelled to Tanzania with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. While in Tanzania, Chandler visited UNICEF-supported programs that provide children with life and vocational skills training and health centers for mothers of children with HIV/AIDS.

“Traveling to Africa with UNICEF and seeing kids who don’t have access to an education, or who are living on the streets was a life-changing experience for me,” said Chandler. “I’m incredibly honored to help raise awareness of UNICEF’s work that’s truly making a difference for the lives of children.”

In the U.S., Chandler has served as a strong advocate for the organization, raising awareness of emergency relief efforts and campaigns such as the UNICEF Tap Project to millions of basketball fans. An aspiring photographer, Chandler hosted a photo gallery exhibit in October 2012. Featuring powerful images from his trip to Tanzania, the exhibit generated thousands of dollars for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Additionally, Chandler donated the exclusive opportunity to spend a day with him during NY Knicks practice as part of the 2012 UNICEF Snowflake Ball live auction.

“Tyson’s deep commitment to saving and improving the lives of children is evident to those around him,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “We’re excited that he’s using his voice to help shine a light on the issues that children around the world face every day, such as lack of access to clean water or medicine.”

Chandler — who is in his third season with the Knicks after joining the team in 2011 – has quite a few career accomplishments. In 2012 he was selected for the NBA All-Star team and named the Defensive Player of the Year. In 2011 he helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to their NBA championship. Off the court, Chandler, with his wife Kimberly, is devoted to philanthropic efforts. In addition to their work with UNICEF, they launched ‘Rebound 4 Rockaway’ to help those affected by Superstorm Sandy in Far Rockaway, New York.

Chandler joins a roster of celebrities who have supported UNICEF over the years, from Danny Kaye and Audrey Hepburn, to Laurence Fishburne, Selena Gomez, Angie Harmon, Téa Leoni, Lucy Liu, Alyssa Milano, and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.

England Awarded First World Test Championship in 2017

England and Wales have been awarded the inaugural World Test Championship in June and July 2017, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed.

The world governing body’s annual conference concluded in London today, having made a number of key decisions – particularly regarding global events from 2015 to 2023.

The World Test Championship will replace the Champions Trophy, with India hosting the second edition of the Test tournament in February/March 2021.

“We are delighted to confirm the exciting schedule of events through to 2023,” ICC chief executive David Richardson said.

“The ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales was highly acclaimed and appreciated by all.

“However, the principle of one pinnacle global event for each of the three formats over a four-year cycle is a good one and, as such, the ICC board has agreed to replace the Champions Trophy with the ICC World Test Championship.

“Now that the ICC World Test Championship has been confirmed, we’ll work on the playing conditions and qualification criteria, and will submit these to the ICC board for approval in due course.”

Hosts for ICC Global Events from 2016-2023:

World Twenty20 2016 – BCCI

World Test Championship 2017 – ECB

Cricket World Cup 2019 – ECB

World Twenty20 2020 – Cricket Australia

World Test Championship 2021 – BCCI

Cricket World Cup 2023 – BCCI

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NFL Commissioner Hints at Third Regular-Season Game in London

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has hinted that London may soon host three regular season games at a New York University Conference.

Goodell revealed Tuesday that the NFL is planning to add a third London game each year. He also told the New York Post’s Bart Hubbuch that there’s a chance the Jacksonville Jaguars will begin playing two games annually in London.

The Jaguars are currently slated to play in the International Series through the 2016 season. Losing another home game overseas would essentially cut out a quarter of local revenue streams.

The league’s goal is to eventually place an NFL team in London. Now that many English Premier League teams have upgraded their stadiums, football games can be played at other venues beyond Wembley Stadium. As London mayor Boris Johnson likes to point out, the $780 million stadium constructed for the 2012 Olympics does not have a permanent tenant.

Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union reported Tuesday that a Jaguars spokesman told him about London: “Our focus is on one game per year. We are committed to play there the next four years. That’s all we’re thinking about.”

The Jaguars will face San Francisco 49ers on 27th October while the Minnesota Vikings will play the Pittsburgh Steelers on the 29th September.

NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters to be Hosted at London 2012 Olympic Park

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) today announced the return of international tennis to the London 2012 Olympic Park after leading British charity, no rx the Tennis Foundation, anesthetist was awarded the rights to stage the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in 2014-2016.

The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters is the ITF’s official year-end wheelchair tennis championship, cialis with an elite field featuring the top eight men, eight women and four quad players in the wheelchair world rankings. First staged in 1994, it was held in Netherlands for 17 years, before moving to its current venue in Mechelen, Belgium in 2011.

Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, known as Eton Manor when it staged the London 2012 Paralympic Tennis Event, is currently undergoing major transformation work and will offer four indoor and six outdoor courts when it opens in Spring 2014 as part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The Tennis Foundation, Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and the owners of the centre, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, are working together on a comprehensive tennis development plan that includes community outreach, schools and disability programmes and development camps in addition to various national and international events.

The Tennis Foundation has a long history of staging international wheelchair tennis events in Great Britain in partnership with the LTA. It is a three-time host of the World Team Cup, and has organised the British Open Wheelchair Tennis Championships in Nottingham since 1995.

“We are delighted that wheelchair tennis will become one of the first sports to build on the legacy of London 2012 by using facilities at the Olympic Park,” said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters is one of the most prestigious events on the circuit, and its staging in London will help us in our efforts to promote the sport. After the spectacular success of this year’s Paralympic Tennis Event, British fans can look forward to the return of some outstanding athletes to London.”

UK Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson said: “This is another exciting, world class event coming to the country on the back of London 2012. This is great news for wheelchair tennis and will help encourage people take up the sport.”

Geoff Newton, Executive Director of the Tennis Foundation, said: “The Tennis Foundation has been delivering world class tennis events for disabled people for over 20 years, and hosting the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will give us the opportunity to encourage more people to play and watch this fantastic sport.”

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “One of the most exciting legacies from the 2012 Games is that London now boasts new world-class sporting facilities. This event will play an important role in maximising opportunities to grow participation in the sport as we continue to build the legacy from the 2012 Games.”

Simon Morton, Director of Major Events and International Relations at UK Sport, said: “We are delighted to have secured the 2014 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters. This is the second Paralympic event to join UK Sport’s Gold Event Series – and the first to be staged at a London 2012 venue – building on the legacy our home Games.”

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Authority, said: “We are thrilled to be hosting the world’s premier disability tennis tournament, becoming the first London 2012 venue to secure a major international sport event that will take place in three consecutive years.

“As the only purpose built venue for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre was conceived from the very start as a legacy venue to raise the bar for participants, competitors and spectators – and these championships are a great way to use the inspirational power of sport to boost the numbers of people taking part in the future.”

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, said: “The venues were packed in London 2012, which shows that the British public has an appetite for world class international Paralympic sport. Therefore it is fantastic news that the first sporting event in the Olympic Park will be a Paralympic one, and I’m sure it will be a great success.”

Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be one of the most accessible destinations for sport in the country. Securing the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters comes at the same time as a successful Inclusive Sport Fund bid that will see over a million pounds invested in sport for disabled people in and around the Park. One direct benefit will be a new annual festival of disability sport starting in 2013.”

Exclusive: More Chinese Athletes Will be Able to Negotiate their Own Deals says AEG China CEO

It will become more common for Chinese athletes to have greater autonomy for schedules, thumb sponsorship deals and endorsements according to John Cappo, buy cialis CEO of AEG China.

The majority of Chinese professional sportsmen effectively work directly for their federations and are subject to the federations’ schedules and sponsorship and endorsement deals.

Athletes who have negotiated individual deals in the past have sometimes faced serious consequences; Tian Liang, a successful member of the male Chinese Olympic diving team was dropped, reportedly because of his commercial activities.

But Cappo was involved in a groundbreaking deal when he helped female tennis player Peng Shuai become the first player to be signed to a foreign agent by agreeing a deal with Max Eisenbud and believes more athletes will enjoy greater freedom in future.

Fellow tennis player Li Na, another of Eisenbud’s clients, and golfer Liang Wen-Chong, previously managed by Cappo, have enjoyed similar autonomy.

In an exclusive interview with iSportconnect, Cappo said: “More and more athletes in China will have an opportunity to branch out on their own and it will be a hybrid system from the start, partly controlled by the federation and some autonomy to do their own thing but they’ll all have to come back and represent China for maybe the national games in China, the Olympics and be part of national teams for different events.

“Federations here are finding their own sponsors for teams, so it’s hard for a player if he endorses Adidas to come back and wear a Li-Ning shirt.

“They’re trying to make it happen but I think it’s pretty difficult. That’s where there will still be a bit of a challenge and there’s a little bit of a balance with that, there’s carve outs for select events in the deals.”

To read the entire interview, click here: http://bit.ly/QSCOSZ

ITV See Record Audience for Wiggins Tour de France Victory

ITV enjoyed a record audience in Britain who watched Bradley Wiggins’ Tour De France win.

Bradley Wiggins’ Tour De France win sparked a 25% rise in the TV audience for the legendary cycle race.

A peak of 3.6 million watched the live coverage on ITV1 and ITV4 to see Wiggins lead the peleton home yesterday before teammate Mark Cavendish claimed a record fourth-consecutive final stage victory on the Champs-Elysees.

Wiggins became the first Briton to win the gruelling race.

Coverage on ITV4 – the TV home of the Tour De France – was up by a quarter on 2011 for the combined viewing figures for the live broadcasts, a nightly highlights shows and a morning repeat, ITV said.

Turkish Clubs Get All-Clear on Match-Fixing Probe

A total of 16 Turkish clubs involved in the match-fixing scandal have been cleared by the Turkish Football Federation but action has still taken place against 10 players and officials.

 

“It was decided that there was no cause to apply sanctions since the elements constituting disciplinary infringement did not materialise, apoplectic ” the federation said on its web site late Sunday.The clubs involved included Fenerbahce, discount Besiktas, thumb Galatasaray and Trabzonspor.

 

The federation’s disciplinary committee on the other hand banned eight officials from the 16 clubs for one to three years and two players have been sidelined from playing in all competitions.

 

Fenerbahce official Ilhan Yuksel Eksioglu was banned for three years for trying to influence the result of three matches while two other senior management figures at the Istanbul club were suspended for a year.

 

Turkey international midfielder Ibrahim Akin, currently at first division Gaziantepspor, and Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge were banned from playing for two and three years respectively.

 

The investigation centres on 22 matches in the 2010-11 season. The punishments all result from matches involving Fenerbahce, who won the league that year with Trabzonspor in second.

 

The federation’s professional football disciplinary board inquiry is separate from an unprecedented criminal case resulting from the same allegations that began in February this year.Nearly 100 people have been charged with corruption, including Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim. They also saw their Turkish league cup trophy awarded to Besiktas.

Minnesota Vikings Renews Deal with eLayawaySPORTS to Process Season Ticket Payments

For the fourth year in a row, the Minnesota Vikings have chosen eLayawaySPORTS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of eLayaway, Inc., to process their 2012 season ticket renewal payments for their fans.

The popular payment plan makes it possible for Vikings’ fans to pay over a period of time for their season ticket renewals. Season ticket owners can choose to have the payments automatically drafted from their checking account or pay cash at any MoneyGram location.

“The Minnesota Vikings’ decision to renew is a testament to the power and reliability of eLayaway’s technology,” said Sue Jones, COO of eLayaway.”We remain focused on growth and the generation of revenues through verticals such as eLayawaySPORTS. The program is great for both the fans and the team. Everyone wins!”

Over the years, sports fans have come to depend on eLayawaySPORTS to help them schedule and automate their season ticket payments. The Company’s enhanced payment calculator, scheduler, account manager and other program features make it an easy and convenient payment alternative for fans wanting to pre-pay for season tickets, merchandise, sporting goods and much more. Minnesota Vikings’ fans interested in using this powerful payment plan to renew their existing season tickets should visit Vikings.com/eLayaway or eLayawaySPORTS.com.

Steve LaCroix, Viking’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Chief Marketing Officer, said; “The Vikings organization is happy to, once again, offer the valuable service of eLayawaySPORTS to its fans. They provide a convenient and affordable payment alternative that helps our fans.”

by Ismail Uddin