FIFA announced today an extension to the appointment of MATCH Hospitality as the exclusive hospitality rights holder for the 2018 and the 2022 FIFA World Cups.

Following an industry evaluation conducted by FIFA, MATCH Hospitality emerged as the most suitable candidate. The appointment encompasses both the sale of hospitality packages on an exclusive worldwide basis and the operations of the FIFA hospitality programme for these events as well as for the FIFA Confederations Cups in 2017 and 2021 and the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2019 and 2023. The deal for the entire period covers a financial guarantee for FIFA of $300 million as well as a profit share.

Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director, said: “MATCH Hospitality delivered a successful hospitality programme in 2010 despite the very challenging economic situation influencing this particular industry at the time. FIFA has renewed and extended with a company and partner that brings together the most experienced team in the hospitality industry to deliver sustainable high-quality services to the corporate clients for FIFA’s flagship events on a long-term basis.”

MATCH Hospitality has created a unique global network of exclusive and authorised sales agents, ensuring the widest possible distribution of commercial hospitality opportunities and easy access for their clients. More than 30 of the most renowned industry representatives have been appointed by MATCH Hospitality, each with specific experience in the marketing and sale of hospitality packages for major sporting events.

Jaime Byrom, MATCH Hospitality Executive Chairman, commented: “We are delighted that FIFA has decided to extend our cooperation until 2023. MATCH Hospitality has continued to develop our sales network and strategies and our operational capabilities, and together with our shareholders we are truly looking forward to creating an unrivalled hospitality programme for all of FIFA’s events over the next 12 years.”

The agreement also further strengthens FIFA’s fight against ticket touts. Thanks to their expertise and monitoring facilities, MATCH Hospitality will be in a position to assist FIFA in enforcing the provisions governing the sale of hospitality packages, effectively preventing unauthorised dealers from luring corporate clients and individuals into buying such packages from them.

MATCH Hospitality AG is based in Zurich with offices in Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro, and the company’s shareholders are Byrom Holdings plc (65%), Dentsu Inc. (5%), Infront Sports & Media AG (5%), the Bidvest Group Limited (5%) and Winterhill Investments Limited (20%).

Major League Baseball (MLB) giants the New York Yankees have lowered the luxury tax placed upon them by more than US$7m. It was announced on 21 December that the tax placed on the side stood at $18m this year, the sides lowest since 2003 and significantly less than last year’s total of $25.7m when the Yankees won the World Series.

The Yankees also lowered their expenditure on players this year by $12m, slashing the payroll by $5m in the process.

Looking ahead to his 2011 payroll, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said: “Atta baby. And right now we’re in the $170s”.

The season-ending payroll information and tax was obtained by The Associated Press. The Boston Red Sox are the only other MLB side to have to pay the luxury tax this year, oweing $1.5m, having exceeded the payroll threshold for the first time since 2007. Cheque’s must be paid to the league’s commissioner’s office by January 31.

Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the company which runs the Tour de France, were boosted by lance Armstrong’s comeback from retirement in 2009 which helped add around US$32m in sales.

The 39-year-old cycling legend returned to the event after three years and competed in a toughly fought and much anticipated duel with Alberto Contador which ASO stated was “certainly not irrelevant to the success”. The comeback encouraged business from the likes of Volkswagen AG’s Skoda and France Telecom SA’s Orange amongst its agreements.

Sales from ASO’s sports events rose 20 per cent to $195.4m with the global television audience of the Tour increasing 10 per cent. Net income fell 1.2 per cent to $42.3m.

Contador went on to win the battle in 2009 whilst Armstrong finished third on his return. The veteran finished 23rd this year in what will be his last in the Tour.

Qantas has signed on as a silver level sponsor and will assist Perth 2011 in transporting teams and officials to Western Australia and will promote Perth 2011 domestically and internationally.

Perth 2011 Director of Commercial Operations, Darren Beazley, said, “We are delighted to have an iconic brand like Qantas join the Perth 2011 sponsorship family. Qantas is widely regarded as the world’s leading long distance airline and one of the strongest brands in Australia. In an event where more than 5000 athletes and officials will travel to Australia from overseas, an alignment with Qantas was an obvious partnership.”

Qantas Regional General Manager for Western Australia and the Northern Territory, Ian Gay, said, “Qantas believes the Perth 2011 ISAF World Championships will be a great event for Perth and for Western Australia.”

“We are delighted to be involved and working closely with the team at Perth 2011. Not only will Western Australians be able to enjoy the party in Fremantle, but all the competitors, family and friends will have a good reason to visit Western Australia and see all we have to offer. The dream begins in Perth, the journey begins with Qantas,” said Mr.Gay.

Qantas has a long history of supporting sporting events in Australia such as the AFL, the National Rugby League and the Australian Olympic Committee and is proud to join the Perth 2011 sponsorship family and align with a World Class sailing event.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have signed a strategic partnership with the Australian Turf Club (ATC) that will see the two parties work closely across future events and activations.

The alliance will kick off during the Bledisloe Cup Festival, arthritis when the Bledisloe Cup Festival Race Day takes place at Royal Randwick on Saturday, abortion 9 August.

The iconic trophy will be on display for the public during the day and at a VIP function in the ballroom of the Queen Elizabeth II Grandstand.

The ARU has partnered with the ATC to stage an Australian/New Zealand-themed race day that celebrates the great rivalry that exists between the two countries on the race track and on the Rugby field. Race-goers will also directly benefit from the new partnership, with those who already have tickets to the Bledisloe Cup clash at ANZ Stadium (16 August) gaining free entry to the course.

The partnership will also extend to Australian Rugby’s night of nights, the John Eales Medal with Royal Randwick set to host the prestigious awards ceremony for the first time on Thursday 23 October. The event recognises the players and members of the Rugby community that have excelled in 2014.

Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said: “The ARU is delighted to be partnering with the ATC, a brand that enjoys an iconic status across the Australian sporting community. There are natural synergies between both organisations that we will look to exploit and leverage over the months – and hopefully years – to come.”

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Darren Pearce was excited about the new partnership.

“The Bledisloe Cup is one of the truly great events in Trans-Tasman sport and to be hosting a game in Sydney gives us a great chance to get up and close with the stars of the game,’’ Mr Pearce said.

“At the same time fans will also see the other stars on the turf – the magnificent Australian and New Zealand thoroughbreds that Sydney highlights each week.

“Sydney racing is renowned as the strongest and most competitive in Australia, and each week features some of the home-grown stars of the sport in trainers Gai Waterhouse, the Snowden and Cummings families, as well as jockeys Nash Rawiller, Tommy Berry and Hugh Bowman, just to name a few. 

“And with the likes of Sydney’s champion trainer Chris Waller, one of the all-time great Group 1 jockeys in Jim Cassidy, star jockey James McDonald on the verge of a Sydney premiership, and Bjorn Baker from that famous New Zealand racing family all holding their Kiwi heritage very dear, I am sure we will see some patriotic battles on the track as well as the footy field.’’

The two parties have also agreed to investigate future opportunities to develop the partnership beyond 2014.

Sprint have unveiled a new TV advertisement with NBA star Kevin Durant which begins airing tonight in the US across network and cable TV.

Durant is the first athlete to star in the new episodic Frobinsons campaign for Sprint. In this latest 30-second spot, ailment the Frobinsons’ teenage son Zack gets the chance to talk to a larger-than-life version of the Oklahoma City forward.

In addition to TV, rx Durant will be featured in digital extensions supporting the Sprint Framily Plan.

“We’re proud to introduce Kevin Durant as the newest member of our Frobinsons campaign” said Jeff Hallock, chief marketing officer-Sprint. “Kevin is an ideal role model for any kid to dream of having as a part of their Framily.”

This is the third TV ad in which Durant has starred for Sprint and is the third year for Sprint as the official wireless telecommunications provider to the NBA.

In the near future, four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will become the next celebrity athlete to make an appearance with the Frobinsons.

The campaign was created by Figliulo&Partners in partnership with DigitasLBi and MediaVest.

Queens Park Rangers (QPR) have announced they have secured planning permission to build a new training complex on Warren Farm in Southall.

Ealing Council have signed a development agreement with the Sky Bet Championship club, resulting in planning permission for a new multi-purpose community sports complex that will provide a base for both the Hoops first team and academy.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes said: “We are committed to building the club in the right way and putting in place the foundations for future success.

“The academy is an important part of this, and this agreement is the next step in strengthening the long-term prospects of QPR.

“We are delighted to partner Ealing Council and are particularly excited about playing our part in providing fantastic new sporting facilities for local residents, and to build on the excellent work of our Community Trust to strengthen our ties with the community and provide opportunities for all.”

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, added: “Warren Farm is in dire need of redevelopment, so it is fantastic that QPR has committed to such a huge investment into the site.

“Signing this deal is the next step towards bringing Warren Farm back into use and transforming it into a thriving hub of community activity and sport. QPR’s plans have a strong focus on community involvement and I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together.”

Work on the facility is expected to be completed in time for 2016.

American Stock Car Racing’s ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will return to Mobile International Speedway in Mobile, Alabama on March 22, 2014. 

Defending ARCA Mobile 200 champion and Fairhope, Alabama native Grant Enfinger led a star-packed media event Wednesday in Mobile.

“It is my honor as a Mobile International Speedway driver and the defending ARCA Mobile 200 champion to announce that the ARCA Series is coming back to Mobile in 2014,” Enfinger said.

ARCA Week will begin on Saturday, March 15 with an open practice for ARCA teams and culminate with the third running of the ARCA Mobile 200 on Saturday, March 22.

“The combined efforts of everyone associated with the ARCA Mobile 200 have clearly created a winning formula for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “For the third consecutive year, we will bring the series directly from the season opener at Daytona in February to Mobile in March for the second race of the season. The ARCA Mobile 200 is now talked about all season long by the entire ARCA community-race teams, fans, media and officials. We’re pleased and proud our series has found a home on the Gulf Coast.”

Local Mobile, Alabama driver Thomas “Moose” Praytor, who finished ninth in 2013 ARCA championship standings, said, “Mobile International Speedway has been a launching point for each level of my racing career, my first stock car start, my first ARCA start and this year our effort at Mobile led to 19 more races with Hixson Motorsports in the Realtor car. After all the new tracks this year I’m really happy ARCA is coming back to my home track.”

Local Mobile drivers Enfinger and Cale Gale have provided story book endings to the first two ARCA Mobile 200s, winning in front of the home town fans. While the ARCA series has raced at over 200 different tracks since its inception in 1953, the 2014 ARCA Mobile 200 marks only the third appearance at Mobile International Speedway.

“The community has embraced the ARCA Series and the ARCA Mobile 200 has become much more than a race; it’s a happening,” said ARCA Mobile 200 Promoter, Tommy Praytor. “The Mobile Sports Authority, Mobile Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alabama’s Tourism Department all realize the importance of this race to Mobile and it takes everyone to make it happen.” 

Opened in 1964, Mobile International Speedway is Alabama’s fastest half mile and is currently host to the Sunoco Southern Super Series and Miller Lite Super Late Model Series along with a regular schedule of Saturday night racing. Lee and Ida Fields purchased the Speedway in 1972 and for almost 40 years the duo produced “The Fastest Fun Around”. The track is currently being managed and promoted by Tim Bryant who is also the owner/promoter of Pensacola’s 5 Flags Speedway, the home of the Snowball Derby.