Forex Partners with Manchester City to Launch New Marketing Campaign

FOREX.com, the retail trading brand of GAIN Capital Holdings, Inc. has today launched a new marketing campaign developed in support of GAIN Capital’s multi-year partnership with Manchester City and Club captain, Vincent Kompany.

The online campaign, Where Football Meets Trading, is now available at mcfc.forex.com and will run through 11 May 2014.  The campaign aims to attract football fans across the globe, engaging viewers with exclusive MCFC video interviews, interactive web content and weekly competitions.

Commenting on the Partnership, Vincent Kompany, said: “I’m delighted to work with FOREX in order to raise money for the SOS Children’s Villages, which is a charity close to my own heart.  As an SOS Ambassador, I’m deeply proud to support the charity and the invaluable work they do internationally, that has a lasting impact of the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

“I’ve always had a keen interest in what makes the economy tick, so to be able to learn from the experts and help a great cause at the same time is a fantastic opportunity. Like football, trading shares some of the same basic principles like preparation, analysis and execution, so the project should be a lot of fun.”

GAIN Capital’s Chief Marketing Officer, Samantha Roady said: “Our ambition with this campaign is to build awareness of the FOREX.com brand among football fans across the globe by providing a unique, behind the scenes look into Manchester City and demonstrating the strong connection between the elements of success in both football and trading. The MCFC content will appeal to any football fan who’s interested in learning what goes into building a winning football club, and the trading elements of the campaign are easy to follow, even for novice traders.”

MB Partners to Represent Pavel Pogrebnyak

Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has chosen MB Partners to represent his global commercial rights. 

He joins other clients such as former F1 World Champion, allergy Kimi Raikkonen and current Commonwealth Games gold medal holder, Louise Hazel.

The 30-year-old striker currently plays for Reading FC as well as representing the Russian national team and featured in the Euro 2012 Championship.

“It’s great to add another international sporting star to our client portfolio with the signing of Pavel Pogrebnyak,” said MB Partners CEO, Mark Blundell. “He is without doubt one of the stars of Russian football, as well as making a name for himself as a formidable striker in the English game.”

FIA Confirms New Concorde Agreement with F1

The FIA, the governing body for many auto racing events, has announced on Friday that it has finally put pen to paper on a new Concorde Agreement with the Formula 1 Group.

“The agreement reached by the FIA and the Formula 1 Group in July 2013, setting out the framework for implementation of the Concorde Agreement for the period 2013 – 2020, has now come into force, following the approval of the respective governing bodies of the signatory parties,” a statement on the governing body’s website read.

“This agreement provides the FIA with significantly improved financial means to pursue its regulatory missions and to reflect the enhanced role undertaken by the FIA in the Motor Sport. The parties have agreed a strong and stable sporting governance framework which includes the Formula 1 Group, the FIA and the participating teams. The agreement lays down solid foundations for the further development of the FIA Formula One World Championship.

“Now that the agreement is operative, the parties will move towards the conclusion of a multi-party Concorde agreement.”

The Concorde Agreement also dictates commercial terms. However, mention that it is not yet “multi-party” suggests that all the teams have yet to sign up.

Although the previous Concorde deal expired last year, every team bar Marussia has in the meantime agreed individual terms with Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula 1 Group.

FIA President Jean Todt said: “We can be proud of this agreement, which establishes a more effective framework for the governance of the FIA Formula One World Championship. The FIA looks forward to continuing to fulfill its historic role as the guarantor of both regulation and safety in F1 for many years to come.”

Ecclestone added: “I am very pleased that the agreement between the FIA and the Formula 1 Group has been concluded”.

The announcement comes on the day the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council meets in Dubrovnik, where besides dealing with matters such as the ratification of next year’s calendar, it is also expected to discuss how it might spend its increased share of the sport’s revenues.

David Ward, who is standing against Todt in the FIA presidential election later this year, said in a statement that they should be invested in grass roots motorsport.

“The final conclusion of the negotiations over the Concorde Agreement is a very positive development for the FIA. This is a solid achievement by Jean Todt and I congratulate him for it. The question now is what will the new resources from Concorde be used for? The answer should be for investment in ‘grass roots’ development of motor sport,” the statement read.

“In my manifesto I have proposed to ‘use all the revenue in excess of regulatory costs of the F1 Championship for investment in motor sport safety, sustainability, solidarity funding of ASN development programmes, and for training of officials and volunteers’.

“Jean Todt has yet to publish a manifesto or explain how he will use the new funds now available to the FIA. Sooner rather than later this should be made clear to the FIA membership.”

Europe & Asia to Face-off in New ‘Ryder Cup’ Styled Matchplay Event

A new matchplay golf tournament between Europe and Asia called The EurAsia Cup has been created with the inaugural event taking place at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from March 28-30, ailment 2014, buy with DRB-HICOM Berhad unveiled as the Presenting Partner.

DRB-HICOM, health which is one of Malaysia’s largest conglomerates involved in the automotive, services, and property, asset and construction sectors, is making a significant mark in the world of golf through its involvement with the inaugural tournament, which is styled after The Ryder Cup.

Sanctioned by The European Tour and Asian Tour, The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will be held biennially and will put ten of the finest golfers from Europe against a ten man team from Asia over three days.

Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) has been appointed by the Government of Malaysia to become the local coordinator of The EurAsia Cup, which will be beamed live to more than 45 countries and 670 million homes, as Malaysia becomes the centre of global attention next March. 

PGM Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said: “The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will showcase world-class golf at its best as both continents will be represented by ten of its finest players competing in a three-day event which will produce great drama, excitement and passion.

“Malaysia will benefit greatly from hosting The EurAsia Cup.  The event will be broadcast ‘live’ to a licensed TV platform of more than 670 million homes around the world.  Furthermore, the staging of a world-class event will reinforce Malaysia’s capabilities to host a sporting mega-event placing our great nation firmly on the global sporting calendar.

“We are all delighted that DRB-HICOM will become the event’s Presenting Partner.  Golf and business work hand in hand and through The EurAsia Cup, DRB-HICOM can expand its business interests while other Malaysian sponsors and partners can take the opportunity to showcase their brands and services to the world.”

Datuk Mohamed Razeek Md Hussain, Chief Operating Officer, Services and Properties, DRB-HICOM Berhad, said that this event marks DRB-HICOM’s support in bringing a major international golfing event to Malaysian shores.

He said: “Our involvement as the Presenting Partner, as well as host venue, is in support of the Government’s initiative to continue promoting Malaysia as a global sporting destination.  We believe that the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will reinforce Malaysia’s ability to stage world-class sporting events and will also be another opportunity to promote Malaysia, as well as showcase and promote our world-class automotive brands, properties and services to the world.”

Europe will select the leading four players available from the final Race to Dubai rankings at the conclusion of the 2013 season, the leading four players available from the Official World Golf Ranking on Monday, February 3, 2014 and two captain’s picks.

The make-up of the Asian team will include the leading four available Asian players from the final 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit, the leading three available Asian players invited on the basis of their Official World Golf Ranking and three captain’s picks.

The two captains will be chosen by The European Tour and the Asian Tour respectively and will be announce at a later date.

Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, said: “We are delighted to announce the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM as part of our initial sector of The 2014 European Tour International Schedule, and we are all excited by the prospect of this matchplay event between Europe and Asia.

“Our thanks go to DRB-HICOM, Glenmarie Golf and Country Club, Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)  and  the Malaysian government for supporting this event, which extends The European Tour’s already strong partnership with the Asian Tour that dates back to 1999 when Malaysia staged the first co-sanctioned event between the two Tours.”

Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The launch of The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM is an exciting new milestone for the Asian Tour and our partners, The European Tour. It will be a fantastic event showcasing world-class golf at the highest standard as matchplay competitions always bring out great excitement and drama for golf fans and television viewers.

TNT Reveal Ratings Record for Miami Heat’s Game 7 Victory

TNT has revealed the Miami Heat’s win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night was the highest rating ever for an NBA game on the American cable television channel.

The Heat triumphed 99-76 over the Indiana Pacers with Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals reaching a rating of 7.1.

However the 11.5 million total viewers were down from 13.3 million for Miami’s Game 7 victory over the Celtics last season on ESPN. Boston is a much larger market than Indianapolis, and the Celtics have more of a national following than the Pacers. That decisive game was also more competitive than Monday’s, when the Heat led by 15 points at halftime.

Ratings measure the percentage of U.S. homes with televisions tuned to a program.

49ers Confirmed as Jacksonville Jaguars Opponent for 2013 NFL Wembley Game

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the San Francisco 49ers at London’s historic Wembley Stadium on Sunday, pill October 27, 2013, the NFL announced today.

The game, which will kick off at 5:00 p.m. UK time (1:00 p.m. ET), will mark the first in London for the Jaguars, who earlier this year committed to play one regular-season home game in the United Kingdom in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, all at Wembley. 

“By committing to play a regular-season home game in London in each of the next four years, the Jaguars will play a major role in helping grow our sport in the UK and beyond,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.  “We think Jaguars-49ers is a match-up our fans will really enjoy and a great way to start a new era in the international development of our game.”

Jaguars Owner Shad Khan confirmed the Jaguars’ 2013 International Series opponent while speaking at the Leaders in Sport conference at Chelsea FC.

“Everyone associated with the Jacksonville Jaguars is very much looking forward to our four home games in London through 2016, and we’re particularly thrilled and honored that our first opponent will be the San Francisco 49ers,” Khan said.  “This is a unique and important opportunity for the Jaguars franchise, as well as for our fans and community.  To share this stage in our first year at Wembley with a rising power like the 49ers will bring additional attention and respect to what we’re trying to achieve as a franchise.  We can’t wait to see our global vision for the Jaguars become reality next season.”

San Francisco will make its second appearance in the International Series.  The 49ers hosted the Denver Broncos at Wembley Stadium in 2010, earning a 24-16 victory before a crowd of 83,941.

“The 49ers are excited and privileged to once again serve as ambassadors for the NFL and the game of football internationally,” said 49ers Chief Executive Officer Jed York.  “Our 2010 experience in London was tremendous. The atmosphere at Wembley Stadium on game day was electric. The ability for us to share 49ers football with our faithful fans internationally is a treat for everyone in our organization.”

The 2012 International Series game features the St. Louis Rams hosting the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 28, before an expected sell-out crowd in excess of 80,000.

The international series of regular-season games to date has contributed to increased NFL fan interest in the U.K., with a current fan base of 11 million, including more than two million avid fans, a 32 percent increase in the past two years. 

Television ratings have also shown substantial growth – with Sunday viewership of NFL games up 154 percent and the Super Bowl audience having increased 74 percent since 2006.  The NFL also has developed new and stronger business partnerships as a result of the International Series.

London Named the World’s Ultimate Sports City in 2012

London has won the coveted titile SportBusiness Ultimate Sports City of 2012 snatching victory from former three times winner Melbourne

The highly prestigious accolade was awarded by the sports business publication SportsBusiness International at the annual global sports event SportAccord Convention in Quebec.

The win marks the first time that London has taken home the ‘Gold’ top position, having come third in the 2010 table. The capital beat off other international sporting destinations including Melbourne which came second, Sydney which was third and New York and Manchester all within the top five.

Over 25 finalist cities were ranked by the number of annual sports events hosted or secured between 2006 and 2014, plus additional criteria including transport, government support, public interest and quality of life. Other cities in the twenty-five include Sydney, Singapore, Berlin, Vancouver, Manchester Paris, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Glasgow, Doha, Madrid, Moscow and Budapest.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Delivering a lasting sporting legacy from the Games is a top priority and it’s fantastic that the capital has hit the top spot in such an monumental year. Long after the Games have left town I am confident our new world class sporting venues, upgraded transport infrastructure will attract major international events to the capital, driving investment into jobs and economic growth for years to come.”

Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events at London & Partners added: ‘We are delighted that London has achieved the top spot in such a significant year. It’s been seven years since the city won the right to stage the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Since then we’ve been working tirelessly to make sure we don’t let the opportunities presented by the Games pass us by. This award is recognition of London’s status as a global leader in sport and major events and highlights are determination that there should be a true and lasting sports legacy for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in the future.”

Over the last decade, London has strengthened its position as a sports destination to become recognised globally as a leading city for major sporting events, having already won the bid to host major sporting events post-2012 including the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships, 2013 UEFA Champions League Final, the 2013 ITU World Championship Series Triathlon Grand Final, the 2015 Canoe Slalom World Championships and the even creation of a brand new world class two day festival of cycling which will take place in the summer of 2013.

As well as the Olympic related events London boasts a range of regular major sporting events such as the Wimbledon Championships, The FA Cup Final and The London Marathon which have for years captured the imagination of the world. Other global events such as the Grand Depart of the Tour De France, the regular season NFL games held at Wembley Stadium and the ATP tennis are all evidence that the largest sports, rights holders and sponsors are choosing the capital as the most exciting destination for major events.

LTA Hits Back after Lords Criticism

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has fought back after being labelled “a total shambles” in the House of Lords on Tuesday.

The chair of the All Party Tennis Group, Baroness Billingham, described the organisation’s record as “pitiful” and called for an inquiry into how the LTA uses public money.

Billingham was part of the All Party Tennis Group that levelled similar allegations two years ago when asked to investigate the governing body by the then Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe in the wake of a Davis Cup defeat to Lithuania.

Despite a heavy defeat to Belgium last month in Davis Cup Euro-Africa Zone I, some progress has been made, in particular at women’s world-class level with four Britons currently in the world’s top 150.

Billingham said: “The LTA are a total shambles, tottering from one broken pledge to another, the British press and the world’s press aghast at the huge cost and pathetic results of six years of mismanagement. It is pitiful.

“I call on Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport, to set up an urgent review and inquiry into British tennis. He must insist on transparency of all expenditure and salaries, especially given the LTA receives public money – taxpayers’ money.”

Following the speech, the LTA, who strongly dispute the majority of the allegations, hit back, saying: “The speech contained a number of inaccuracies that do not reflect a true picture of British tennis.”

Bwin Told to Remove Advertising & Sponsorship from Sports after Portuguese Ruling

Bwin.party, the world’s biggest listed online gaming company has been forced to takedown all advertising and sponsorship from Portuguese sports competitions after a court ruled its activities illegal.

The ruling, covering tax and regulatory issues, could set a precedent affecting sponsorship deals between other online gambling companies and sports clubs and associations. Portugal does not recognise deals with gambling companies.

Gilbraltar-based Betclic — which pays to have its name on several Portuguese soccer teams’ shirts, including Sporting Braga — and London-listed Betfair are also active in the Portuguese market.

Bwin.party, formed by the merger of UK-based Partygaming and Austria’s Bwin, has a 4 million euro ($5.09 million) sponsorship deal for the Portuguese soccer league cup, which is now in jeopardy.

“As of Monday, the Portuguese professional football league (LPFP) is obliged to remove all advertising that refers to Bwin,” the LPFP said in a statement. It said the ruling was harmful to the national game and that it will appeal.

The court battle started in 2005 when the Portuguese Casino Association teamed up with national lottery operator Santa Casa to file a complaint about Bwin’s activities.

They alleged Bwin has an unfair advantage because it is not taxed or subject to Portuguese gambling legislation.

Bwin said the court decision goes against European law.

“The court failed to take into account EU law. One cannot aggressively advertise and expand games on the one hand and keep foreign competition out on the other hand,” said a Bwin spokesman.

A preliminary ruling last year deemed Bwin’s activities illegal as Portugal does not recognise online gambling companies.

And a court in Porto enforced the immediate removal of all Bwin advertising as of Monday.

Artur Mateus, a manager of the Portuguese Casino Association, said: “We are happy with this decision, it was a positive one. We pay for extremely expensive licences so we want the state to combat illegal operators who have unfair advantages.”

“We will suspend all sponsorship and advertising,” Bwin said in a statement.

“It is time for the state to legislate and tax online gambling instead of banning it. Regulating it is in the interest of the consumer, the economy and the state budget,” Bwin’s lawyer, Eduardo Serra Jorge, said. 

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London Metropolitan Police Offer Warning Over Illegal Ticket Scams for 2012

Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Operation Podium team cautioned ticket buyers to look out for unauthorisd and illegal ticket scams as London 2012 Paralympic tickets are available for purchase.

1.5 million tickets went on sale to the public on Friday and will be available until September 26 via the online random ballot system, which is the same as the one used for the Olympics this year meaning that there is no advantage in applying early.

However, there are fears that fraudsters could attempt to sell fake 2012 Paralympic tickets to unsuspecting individuals and Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing – who is in charge of Operation Podium – has offered advice that will help the public avoid being scammed, conned or having their personal details stolen.

“We have already seen huge demand for Olympic tickets and that gives criminals greater opportunity to run scams, sell non-existent tickets and even steal your personal and credit card details to use in other crimes,” he said. Now that Paralympic tickets are on sale, I urge people not to get caught out and to make sure the ticket you buy is real. In the UK the only official place to apply for tickets is through the London 2012 application process.

“Stay on the London 2012 official website, which is www.tickets.london2012.com, because that is the only place you can go online to get real tickets. You can also apply with a paper application form within the official ticketing guide and application form from any Lloyds TSB branch, Bank of Scotland branch in Scotland or from any public library in Northern Ireland.”

“But the key is obviously to stay away from any websites that are not official because that will put you in the biggest danger of being scammed. We are watching closely for anyone trying to con the public through ticketing scams and they will be prosecuted when caught but the public can help us by staying aware.”

Outside of the UK, London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets will be sold through the countries’ National Paralympic Committee or their authorised ticket retailer.

Ticket prices were announced earlier this year with a wide range of prices and ticket initiatives on offer. Prices start at £10 ($16/€12) for adults and £5 ($8/€6) for those who are 16 or under and 60 or over on 29 August 2012. Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will start at £20.12 ($33.15/€23.32) with a top end price of £500 ($824/€580) for the Opening Ceremony.

A Games Travelcard, for use on the day of the event on public transport in zones 1-9 in London and for travel between London and Eton Dorney and Brands Hatch, is included within the price of a ticket.

Sebastian Coe, London 2012 chairman, said: “The Paralympic Games are coming home in 2012 and I’m confident that the whole country will get behind them. Alongside the Games come a whole range of opportunities.

“People will have the chance to see sport like never before, with world class athletes who challenge the notion of ‘disability’; it’s a huge opportunity for Paralympic sport to become part of the nation’s consciousness and finally, it will be a moment of extraordinary pride. A fitting end to what promises to be an amazing summer.”

Sir Philip Craven, International Paralympic Committee (IPC)  President added: “The foundations for what could be the most successful Paralympic Games ever have been laid in London and the demand for tickets so far has been unprecedented. These Games are an opportunity to drive societal change and create a legacy for this country that was first started in 1948 at Stoke Mandeville.”