Sturgis Buffalo Chip Ink New Deal to Host Off Road Championship

The Off Road Championship (TORC) and The Sturgis Buffalo Chip have entered a multi-year agreement to bring the high-energy action of TORC Racing to the grounds in Sturgis.

To prepare for this, unhealthy a new race track for the Series will be built within The Buffalo Chip Powersports Complex for the purpose of showcasing the true capabilities of 900 horsepower race trucks, known to jump over 200 feet in the air, racing side-by-side at speeds of over 100mph.

“Thanks to Rod, Daymon and the team at The Chip, this announcement elevates the TORC Series to an entirely new level and is a game changer for our sport, sponsors, teams and drivers,” said BJ Birtwell, President of the TORC Series. “Considering the hundreds of thousands of Sturgis attendees who love the open road and horsepower, adding The Chip to our schedule exponentially increases TORC’s attendance footprint providing a much broader reach for our Series and a greater return on investment for all those involved in TORC.”

“TORC’s vision and approach to the sport of off road racing is of the highest caliber,” says Rod Woodruff, President at Sturgis Buffalo Chip. “For over 30 years, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip has been committed to providing our fans with the best entertainment, and we are thrilled to add TORC Racing into our schedule of events.”

Thailand’s King’s Cup Gets New Asian Tour Deal, Acquires SAT & Honda as Sponsors

The King’s Cup Golf Tournament in Thailand has signed a new five-year deal to remain on the Asian Tour schedule.

The tournament will offer a record US$1 million in prize money when the prestigious tournament is staged at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin in January, making it the penultimate event of the 2013 Asian Tour Schedule. It has been part of the Tour since 2009.

Suwat Liptapanlop, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: “As one of Thailand’s most prestigious sporting events, we look forward to preserving the great stature of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin through a long-term partnership with the Asian Tour, which is the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.

“There are three main objectives for this tournament – firstly, the tournament itself will develop Thai golf as a whole, especially for local golfers, by providing them the opportunity to have access to more international arenas of play. Secondly, the tournament honours Thailand’s beloved King, who has donated the prestigious and legendary King Trophy to the event. Finally, as an added bonus, events such as this will help promote and support tourism to Hua Hin, and Thailand as whole, through the worldwide television exposure it will receive. Various channels of communication will be bringing the excitement of golf in Thailand to millions of global viewers in the international market.” 

The King’s Cup will already have on board two sponsors.

Chayapat Sunayont, President of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand, said: “The PGA Thailand signed a landmark five-year agreement to stage the event on the region’s premier golf Tour until 2018, which is a significant boost for the game in Asia. The staging of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin is a collaboration between the Asian Tour, the Thailand PGA, and The Agency. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) will fund the US$1 million prize money as a presenting sponsor, while Honda has also signed up as a presenting sponsor.”

For the first time ever, the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin will be broadcast live, over four rounds on the Asian Tour’s global television platform which reaches over 180 countries and 640 million homes, ensuring extensive exposure for the popular beach resort town of Hua Hin, as well as the sponsors, and the Kingdom of Thailand itself.

SAT Governor Kanokphand Chulakasem said: “On behalf of the Sports Authority of Thailand, we are delighted to become a presenting sponsor of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin, which is one of the most prestigious golf championships in our Kingdom.

“Through our involvement, we believe the staging of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin will further develop professional golf in Thailand and maintain our nation’s proud tradition of creating great champions such as Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit, Prayad Marksaeng and Kiradech Aphibarnrat on the Asian Tour.”

Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Executive Vice President of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said: “As a presenting sponsor of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin, we are very pleased and honored to partner with the Asian Tour and the Agency to organise the tournament. We are proud to be part of this effort to promote golf in Thailand while also promoting tourism to strengthen the Thai economy.  Through our partnership with this great event, Honda will help to drive the growing popularity of golf and interest in professional golf across Asia.”

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han hailed the long-term partnership with the King’s Cup, saying it will positively impact the tournament and professional golf across Thailand and Asia. Thailand already annually hosts three other Asian Tour golf events.

“The Asian Tour is delighted to sign a five-year agreement with The Agency. This is a very positive development for the tournament, and we will work closely with all parties to further develop the stature and prestige of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin.

“From an initial US$300,000 prize purse tournament in 2009, it is fantastic to see the King’s Cup becoming a US$1 million championship, which is fitting for a tournament of such great stature. Through a long-term association, Thai golf fans will be able to watch the finest collection of players from across Asia competing in the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin, alongside many of Thailand’s top golfing stars.

“I would also like to express my fullest appreciation to SAT for its great support as presenting sponsor, as well as Honda. The Asian Tour will also work closely with the Thailand PGA to ensure the successful staging of the King’s Cup Golf Hua Hin,” said Han.

Harlem Globetrotters Sold to Theme Park Operators

Worldwide basketball brand Harlem Globetrotters exhibition basketball team have been bought by theme park operator Herschend Family Entertainment, it has been revealed.

Norcross, Georgia-based Herschend, which operates 26 theme parks and aquariums across the nation, including most notably Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme parks, acquired the team from private equity firm Shamrock Capital Advisors.

The Globetrotters perform more than 400 times each year around the world, reaching more than three million spectators in more than 30 nations.

“For nearly nine decades, the Harlem Globetrotters have had a rich tradition of creating family memories through sports and entertainment,” said HFE president Joel Manby.

“The team is coming off its best touring year ever, and this acquisition helps HFE diversify into a new but complementary business.”

The Globetrotters have played more than 25,000 games in 122 countries over six continents, attracting more than 138 million fans and earning a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Caterham F1 Renew Renault Supply Deal

Caterham F1 have agreed a new deal to use Renault engines for the next three seasons.

The partnership, which started in 2011, means the Leafield-based team will make use of the French manufacturer’s new power unit. The unit, which comprises a 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine plus enhanced energy recovery systems, is in line with new regulations being introduced by the FIA next season.

Sunday’s announcement is not a surprise given the partnership Caterham formed with Alpine, the French sportscar concern owned by Renault, in 2012 to develop a new range of lightweight roadcars.

“This announcement is obviously very good news for our F1 team and is a reflection of the deep bonds that have been created between our two businesses since 2011, particularly with the roadcar project we launched in 2012 between Caterham and Alpine, which is now at an advanced stage in development,” Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said.

“The 2014 season heralds a new era for F1 with our sport taking a positive stance in aligning itself with the technical changes in the global automotive industry, and Renault is right at the cutting edge of that development.”

After Red Bull and Toro Rosso, Caterham is the third team whose Renault engine supply for 2014 has been confirmed.

Sports Industry Leaders Share Insights Before Final Four Tip-off

One hundred business, media and sport leaders will spend the hours just before the start of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four games on Friday in London at a networking event headlined by CEOs from across the spectrum of the elite sport sponsorship sector.

The iSportconnect Directors’ Club will host the event, in partnership with Euroleague Basketball, to bring together sports community leaders for a give-and-take to share market insights and best practices.

Friday’s event will feature five high-profile speakers with whom guests will have the unique opportunity to exchange ideas on industry trends: Jordi Bertomeu, President and CEO of Euroleague Basketball; David Grevemberg, CEO of Glasgow 2014; Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines; Mike Miller, CEO of the World Olympians Association; and Tony Scholes, CEO of Stoke City FC.

The invitation-only event, which takes place in The O2, this year’s Final Four game venue in London, marks the fourth time that iSportsconnect has gathered such market leaders to talk in the same room on their experiences and opinions on business trends and industry news. The afternoon will feature guest speakers debating the latest developments in their fields and will give attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with them through a question-and-answer session.

Representatives from dozens of the major sport, media, social responsibility and sponsorship companies in the UK and Europe at large will attend the iSportsconnect Directors’ Club, with delegates proceeding at its conclusion to enjoy the semifinals of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four at The O2.

“We are gratified by the high-level interest we have received from the UK business, sport and social responsibility communities in the first major European club basketball event here,” Mr. Bertomeu of Euroleague Basketball said. “Our purpose in choosing London for the Final Four was to engage at every level here to show the attractiveness of our sport. To have so many industry leaders present with us at the iSportconnect Directors’ Club as our games begin is a very positive sign for the future of the business of basketball in the UK.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Euroleague Basketball for our Directors’ Club,” Sree Varma, Fouder & CEO of iSportconnect, said. “We pride ourselves on the top-quality personnel we attract to speak at our events and this partnership shows just how exciting the event is. This version of the Directors’ Club will have an added element with the live basketball and it is fitting that the CEO of Euroleague is on our distinguished panel. I am looking forward to a fun afternoon with great discussions. I’m sure our delegates are going to have a ball!”

Bangladesh Replace India as Hosts of 2014 Asia Cup

Bangladesh are set to host the 2014 Asia Cup cricket competition after original hosts India backed out hosting the evnt citing a packed international schedule.

Bangladesh had hosted the last edition of the tournament in 2012. The likely dates for the tournament will be Feb 24 to March 8.

The decision was taken at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board meeting on April 8 in Kuala Lumpur, pills according to a report.

It is said that India informed the other ACC members that they were trying to finalise the itinerary for the New Zealand tour, anabolics scheduled to be held in February-March next year. But Bangladesh, sickness in order to host the tournament, is learnt to have agreed to postpone a scheduled tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Pakistan around the same time.

There is a possibility that the dates could be changed again as the BCCI has been trying to convince New Zealand Cricket for two Tests, two ODIs and two T20Is, which will enable India to compete in the Asia Cup.

GE & NFL Partner for New Healthcare Initiative

GE and the NFL have announced the Head Health Initiative, treat a four-year, health $60 million collaboration to speed diagnosis and improve treatment for mild traumatic brain injury.

The goal of the research and innovation program, guided by healthcare experts, is to improve the safety of athletes, members of the military and society overall.

The initiative includes a four-year, $40 million research and development program to evaluate and develop next generation imaging technologies to improve diagnosis that would allow for targeting treatment therapy for patients with mild traumatic brain injury. In addition the NFL, GE and Under Armour launched a two-year open innovation challenge to invest up to $20 million in research and technology to better understand, diagnose and protect against mild traumatic brain injury.

GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said: “GE is a leader in developing sophisticated diagnostic imaging technology, but for all the advances in science our knowledge of the brain is far behind that of nearly every other organ in the body. With this initiative, we will advance our research and apply our learning to sports-related concussions, brain injuries suffered by members of the military and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Advancing brain science will help families everywhere.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “Jeff and I have had many conversations over the years about business and the game we both love – football. The future of our great game is bright. The NFL has made tremendous progress in making the game safer and more exciting. But we know we have more work to do. Our collaboration with GE and Under Armour and the launch of the innovation challenges puts us on an accelerated path to progress with experienced scientists, academics and entrepreneurs dedicated to developing game-changing technologies that will benefit athletes, the military and all members of society.”

2013 Fed Cup Venues Announced

The ITF has announced the venues for the 2013 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group and World Group II ties, pills and Zone Group events.

For the third consecutive year the Olympic Stadium in Moscow will stage Russia’s World Group Fed Cup first round tie, anesthetist which in 2013 will be against Japan. The Asian nation, denture who are back in the World Group for the first time since 2007, are bidding to become the first nation to defeat the Russians in the opening round since 2006. Three-time champion Italy take on USA on indoor clay in the 105 Stadium in Rimini, which is hosting a Fed Cup tie for the first time, while Serbia return to the hard courts of Hala Cair in Nis for their meeting against the newly-promoted Slovak Republic.

Sweden’s Fed Cup team will travel to Parque Roca in Buenos Aires for their World Group II first round tie against Argentina; Switzerland will host Belgium at the Sporthalle Wankdorf in Bern, and France will meet Germany at the Palais des Sports Beaublanc in Limoges. All World Group and World Group II first round ties will take place on 9-10 February.

Europe/Africa Zone Group I will be hosted by the Israel Tennis Association in Eilat on outdoor hard courts for the third successive year. The National Tennis Centre in Astana will stage Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I and II and Americas Zone Group I will take place at the Country Club de Ejecutivos in Medellin. These four events will be played during the week commencing 4 February.

World Group first round (9-10 February)

Czech Republic v Australia
Extension granted until 15 October

Italy v USA
105 Stadium, Rimini, Italy  (clay, indoors)

Russia v Japan
Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia (hard, indoors)

Serbia v Slovak Republic
Hala Cair, Nis, Serbia  (hard, indoors)

World Group II first round (9-10 February)

Switzerland v Belgium
Sporthalle Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland (hard, indoors)

Argentina v Sweden
Parque Roca, Buenos Aires, Argentina (clay, outdoors)

Spain v Ukraine
Extension granted until 26 October

France v Germany
Palais des Sports Beaublanc, Limoges, France (clay, indoors)

Zone Group events w/c 4 February

Americas Zone Group I
Country Club de Ejecutivos, Medellin, Colombia (clay, outdoors)

Asia/Oceania Zone Groups I & II
National Tennis Ctr., Astana, Kazakhstan (hard, indoors)

Europe/Africa Zone Group I
Municipal Tennis Club, Eilat, Israel (hard, outdoors)

w/c 15 April

Europe/Africa Zone Group II
Bellevue Club, Ulcjni, Montenegro (clay, outdoors)

w/c 6 May

Europe/Africa Zone Group III
Terraten Club, Chisinau, Moldova (clay, outdoors)

w/c 15 July

Americas Zone Group II
Maya Country Club in Santa Tecla, El Salvador (clay, outdoors)

Raptor Consumer Partners Agrees Innovative Partnership with Spartan Race

Raptor Consumer Partners (RCP), sale a leading consumer-focused growth equity firm, today announced that it has partnered with leading global obstacle racing series Spartan Race, Inc..

John Burns, Managing Director at Raptor Consumer Partners, will join Spartan Race’s Board of Directors. In connection with RCP’s investment, Spartan Race will also work closely with Raptor Accelerator and Raptor Sports Properties, gaining access to their strong relationships and deep expertise in the sports industry. The terms of RCP’s investment were not disclosed.

RCP’s investment in Spartan Race is the firm’s third investment in a rapidly expanding Boston-area market for growth stage companies. In 2012, RCP invested in a next generation food company, Unreal Brands (“Unreal”), and women’s apparel brand Nic + Zoe.

“The sport of obstacle racing is experiencing unprecedented growth and we are thrilled to partner with Spartan Race, a leader in this dynamic market,” said Burns. “We look forward to working closely with Joe Desena, Spartan Race’s founder, to expand Spartan Race and to establish a corporate headquarters in the Boston metropolitan area. Spartan Race is our third investment in the Boston market and we are proud to support them in their mission to build the sport of obstacle racing.”

Founded in 2010, Spartan Race offers obstacle races for athletes seeking to break free from traditional physical activities and participate in grittier alternatives to triathlons and marathons. The series has become a lifestyle for hundreds of thousands of participants, with the average participant losing eight to twelve pounds after signing up for a Spartan Race. The organization expects to register three times more racers in 2012 than in the previous year, with 36 events scheduled in 2012 in the U.S., Canada and the UK. Spartan Race is also continuing to expand on its strong foundation in the Northeast and build its presence in the Boston area. Spartan Race intends to open a corporate headquarters in Boston this fall, and on the weekend of November 17th will hold the first-ever obstacle race time trial at Fenway Park, in celebration of the stadium’s centennial.

Desena said, “Raptor Consumer Partners and its Raptor affiliates will play an important role in developing our brand and giving us the ability to offer more races for more people looking to climb, crawl, jump and get dirty. Their support has been crucial in helping us extend our global reach, and I am pleased to report that we already have eight new countries lined up to host races. We are also very excited to bring Spartan Race to the Boston community and to celebrate Fenway’s 100th anniversary with the inaugural obstacle race in the celebrated home of the Boston Red Sox.”

Jim Pallotta, Chairman and Managing Director of Raptor Capital Management, said, “At Raptor, we always look to propel our investments by leveraging the extensive network and expertise of Raptor Consumer Partners, Raptor Accelerator and Raptor Sports Properties, and we believe tremendous opportunities lie ahead for Spartan Race. I am excited to partner with Spartan Race to bring such high-energy, top-rate sporting events to the Boston community.”

Former China Football Chief Stands Trial for Corruption

Xie Yalong, story the former head of China’s scandal-plagued football league and other top soccer officials went on trial today as an effort to stamp out rampant corruption in the Chinese game reached a climax. 

The former chief of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), erectile stood trial in the north-eastern city of Dandong today, case , accused of taking bribes, becoming the highest-ranking former soccer official to face justice.

His successor as China’s soccer boss, Nan Yong, was to face trial a day later in a court in the city of Tieling, also for accepting bribes. Both cities  are in Liaoning province.

Dozens of league and club officials and referees have been ensnared for  their parts in a match-fixing and gambling scandal exposed two years ago which  has rocked Chinese soccer by lifting the lid on deep-rooted corruption.

The exposure of widespread betting on games, match-fixing, and crooked  referees combined with poor performances by China’s national squad to make  football a laughing stock among increasingly indifferent Chinese fans.

Xinhua said the court in Dandong also began the trials of Wei Shaohui,  former manager of the Chinese national soccer team, and Li Dongsheng, former  head of the CFA’s referee committee.

Meanwhile, the court in Tieling will also try four former Chinese  internationals — Shen Si, Qi Hong, Jiang Jin and Li Ming — on Wednesday, the  news agency added.

A staffer at the court in Dandong who declined to be identified confirmed  Xie’s trial started Tuesday but said he did not know when a verdict would be  delivered.

A court in February sentenced two top former CFA officials to more than a  decade in jail each.

The CFA’s ex-deputy chief Yang Yimin was convicted of accepting bribes  worth 1.25 million yuan ($200,000) from about 20 clubs to fix fitness test  results and sentenced to 10 and a half years, state media said.

Zhang Jianqiang, the former director of the association’s referee committee, received a 12-year jail term for taking bribes worth a total of 2.73  million yuan on 24 occasions, reports said.