Anheuser-Busch Inc. sued Major League Baseball, claiming that baseball’s licensing arm reneged on a multiyear renewal of the company’s beer-sponsorship rights and demanded “exponentially higher” fees.

The brewer has accused the league of reneging on a deal signed in April by asking for far more money to continue its more than 30-year association.

It said the league had demanded an “exponentially higher” fee than that agreed.

It wants the league to honour the April agreement and be prevented from negotiating with rival beer companies.

Anheuser called the agreement “clear, unambiguous, binding and more than fair”.

It argued that the league had changed its position after Anheuser also became official beer sponsor of the National Football League in May.

“Anheuser-Busch has spent decades, and millions of dollars, building the reputation and goodwill of Budweiser and the other Anheuser-Busch brands with these fans,” the lawsuit said. “Their loss would be unquantifiable.”

The baseball league said it had a “different view” than Anheuser.

The Aviva Premiership has seen unprecedented television audiences with the Premiership Rugby reporting a 40% rise in television audiences, it was confirmed today.

The top flight of English club rugby – in its first season on BT Sport – recorded an average live weekend TV audience of 358,000 across the Aviva Premiership Rugby regular season, rounds 1-22.

The biggest match audience was recorded in October when 276,000 people tuned in to watch Leicester Tigers win at London Wasps.

A combined season audience of 7.88 million watched Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs live on BT Sport this season, compared to 6.14 million for the same period last year.

“We expected to see a rise after moving our live TV coverage to BT Sport, but this increase is beyond anyone’s projections. We are delighted,” said Dominic Hayes, the Commercial Director at Premiership Rugby.

“We firmly believe that the Aviva Premiership is the most exciting and compelling domestic league in the world and these figures prove that it is a very appealing TV proposition. 

“These figures coupled with the 3% rise in attendances this year show that the league is stronger than ever. It has been a great season and the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on 31 May is set to be a fitting climax.

“When you look at the audience for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Highlights Show on ITV each weekend (434,000) it means almost 800,000 people are watching Aviva Premiership Rugby each weekend.

“The numbers from pubs and clubs, and through BT Sport’s app and website, are in addition to this – so the total TV audience is actually much higher.”

Athletic brand Reebok has revealed a new brand identity by unveiling a new logo, the Reebok Delta symbol. 

The branding change coincides with Reebok’s singular focus on fitness. 

The Reebok Delta has three distinct parts each representing the changes – physical, mental and social – that occur when people push themselves beyond their perceived limits and embrace an active and challenging life.

“The new brand mark signals a clear purpose for our brand and it will be a badge for those who pursue a fuller life through fitness.  We believe the benefits of an active life go beyond the physical benefits and impacts your whole self and your relationships with others,” said Matt O’Toole, Reebok Chief Marketing Officer. “It is our symbol of change – an invitation to take part, and to unlock your true potential. It’s not a logo, it’s a symbol…a way of life.”

“At Reebok we know first-hand what kind of impact embracing a fitness lifestyle can have on not only an individual, but those around them – the community as a whole,” said O’Toole. “We’ve witnessed it ourselves at our offices around the world. Our ambition has led to a major change in corporate culture at Reebok headquarters here in Canton, Massachusetts and I couldn’t be more proud of what it’s done for the people here and our company as a whole. We’re tougher, grittier, healthier, more productive…together we’re a better Reebok.  And we know this can happen anywhere with the right attitude and approach to life. This is what our new brand mark stands for.”

The new brand-mark will first appear this month on footwear and apparel across all fitness disciplines supported by Reebok including training, running, outdoor, yoga, dance and aerobics.

 

Work has been halted on the Arena Amazonia in Manaus, which will host four World Cup matches in 2014 and England’s opening match against Italy, following a fatality at the stadium.

A construction worker died at the site on Saturday, prompting a labour court to order a halt to all work being conducted high above ground until they are satisfied that conditions are safe.

England are set to kick off their Group D campaign at the stadium on June 14 against Italy and the tragedy is the latest in a series of setbacks for organisers.

The state government’s unit responsible for overseeing the construction is confident though that the suspension will be lifted soon.

A statement from the Amazonas state government read: “During the day on Saturday and Sunday the Amazon state government, through the project management unit of the World Cup, was at the construction site of the Arena Amazonia watching the work performed on site after the fatality occurred early on Saturday.

“Around noon on Sunday we took note of the notification of the Labour Court for the immediate partial stoppage of work. The decision should be applied to activities (carried out at) height, notably cover mounting and on the facade of the stadium.

“The decision was immediately acted upon by (construction company Andrade Gutierrez) and it is taking the appropriate measures for the full resumption of work. Other services will continue normally, starting from Monday.”

The three other matches the venue is set to host at the World Cup is Cameroon/Croatia, USA/Portugal and Honduras/Switzerland.

The death in Manaus brings the number of workers killed during construction of World Cup venues to five, including two who died last month when a crane collapsed at the Itaquera Arena in Sao Paulo, which is to hold the opening ceremony and first match of the finals between Brazil and Croatia.

FIFA has said the Sao Paulo stadium will not be completed until mid-April now, less than two months before the start of the tournament.

The world governing body extended its sympathies after the latest death.

A statement said: “FIFA and the local organising committee (LOC) learnt of the death of the worker on Saturday at the Arena Amazonia site with great sadness.

“We would like to send our most sincere condolences to his family, relatives, colleagues and friends.”

{jcomments on}

Laguna Seca has been left off the 2014 MotoGP provisional calendar published on Wednesday leaving the United States with only two races for 19-race season.

The Americas Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and Indianapolis GP both remain on the calendar with April and August dates respectively.

Spain, home of world champion Jorge Lorenzo and championship leader Marc Marquez as well as promoters Dorna, continues to have four races.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca said in a statement that it could no longer compete with the other two U.S. venues.

“For 25 years…Laguna Seca has served as the ‘home’ for Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the United States, having staged 15 world championship Grands Prix since 1988,” it said.

“Unfortunately, and in spite of loyal support from fans, sponsors and media, there will not be a 16th U.S. Grand Prix in 2014.

“At this time, the U.S. is only able to support two MotoGP events. The support provided by the states of Texas and Indiana make it difficult for us, as a not-for-profit, to currently compete.”

Brazil and Argentina have both returned to the calendar. Argentina, with a race at the new Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, will be on April 27 with Brasilia hosting Brazil’s race on September 28, subject to the track being homologated.

Brazil last hosted a race in 2004 while Argentina has been absent from the calendar since 1999.

Formula 1 is coming back to Austria after Red Bull struck a deal for the race to return to the calendar in 2014.

The Austrian-owned energy drinks’ company, which owns Formula 1’s World Champion team, announced via a statement in its homeland that F1 would return to the Red Bull Ring – the new name for the A1 Ring – for the first time since 2003.

“Dietrich Mateschitz and (F1 supremo) Bernie Ecclestone have reached an agreement to the effect that Formula One will return to Styria next year,” the statement read.

Austria last hosted a Formula 1 race in 2003, prior to it falling off the calendar when redevelopment plans at the Spielberg circuit stalled.

Its new owner Red Bull spent time considering what to do with the venue, prior to a major investment push that led to it reopening as the newly named Red Bull Ring in 2011.

The statement added that the revised race had been scheduled for 6 July 2014.

{jcomments on}

British Basketball League (BBL) champions, Leicester Riders have unveiled a new club crest that represents the Riders History, the fans, the game, the community and the future. 

The modern design has been specially crafted to balance both the clubs history and its ambitions to move forward. This is depicted by a strong forward running horse and the introduction of the date the club was founded back in 1967.

Subsequently lending the Riders the title as the longest running team in the British Basketball League.The Riders are instantly identified by their signature colour red, which plays a vital role in the new design, which is both clean and dynamic.

There will be the opportunity to purchase Official merchandise with the club’s rebranded crest once the new website is launched this July.

Managing Director Russell Levenston commented ” Following our most successful season to date, we’re extremely excited about the new logo and brand for the the Club.  We have worked very closely with 5or6 who have done some fantastic work that we hope will make our fans proud”