Liverpool to be bought by Red Sox owners

English Premier League side Liverpool is to be sold to New England Sports Ventures (NESV), the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, it has been confirmed.

NESV owns a portfolio of companies including the Red Sox, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Rousch Fenway Racing.

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton said: “I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive.

“The board decided to accept NESV’s proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV’s philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.

“We’ve met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.

“By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team.”

However, any takeover will requires the resolution of a legal dispute between Liverpool’s current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The pair tried to sack managing director Christian Purlow and commercial director Ian Ayre in an attempt to keep control of the club.

The sale will also have to be approved by the Premier League.

Chuck Graziano to Represent Mid-Atlantic Region on USA Triathlon Board

USA Triathlon member Chuck Graziano has been appointed to the USA Triathlon Board of Directors to represent the Mid-Atlantic Region through 2015.

Graziano joined USA Triathlon in 1985 and previously served on the national Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Region from 2005-07. He became a member of USA Triathlon’s Age Group Committee in 2000, serving as the chair of the committee for 12 years. He also served on the organization’s Strategic Planning Committee in 2010 and 2013, and has been instrumental in aquabike growth initiatives. Graziano helped to create the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame and has assisted with voting processes and planning for the event. He was named USA Triathlon’s Volunteer of the Year in 2012.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Chuck Graziano to the USA Triathlon Board of Directors,” said Barry Siff, President of the USA Triathlon Board of Directors. “His many years in the sport as an athlete and coach, as well as his significant contributions to our federation in his many roles within governance, certainly make him an ideal Board Member.”

Graziano’s appointment fills the seat vacated by Bob Wendling, who resigned from his Mid-Atlantic Region position effective Oct. 13, 2014. Wendling was appointed to represent the Mid-Atlantic Region by the Board of Directors in 2009. In 2011 he was elected to the Board by the Region’s membership. During his tenure on the Board, Wendling was elected to serve as USA Triathlon President from January 2011 to April 2014 and as Treasurer for 2009 and 2010. Wendling will now assume the role of the Ex-Officio Member on the Board of Directors.

“We are equally fortunate that Bob Wendling, as immediate past President, assumes the role as the Ex-Officio Member of the USA Triathlon Board,” Siff said. “Bob’s wealth of knowledge and experience will undoubtedly continue to serve the federation and our members as we look toward the future.”

Queensland to Host IRONMAN World Championship in 2016

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast will host the first IRONMAN World Championship held in the Southern Hemisphere.

The IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship will be staged in Mooloolaba in September, drugs 2016.

The world championship is the pinnacle event in the global IRONMAN 70.3 calendar and will further strengthen the triathlon event portfolio in Queensland. The announcement is the result of a partnership between the Queensland Government, drug Sunshine Coast Council and IRONMAN.

The Sunshine Coast and Queensland region is regarded as one of the world’s leading triathlon centers, price with the hosting of the annual IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, the iconic Mooloolaba and Noosa Triathlon Festivals and prior hosting of International Triathlon Union (ITU) series and championship events.

The South East Queensland region plays home to current IRONMAN 70.3 world champion Melissa Hauschildt, IRONMAN 70.3 Asia Pacific champion and Olympic gold medalist Jan Frodeno, IRONMAN world champion Pete Jacobs and IRONMAN World Championship medalist Caroline Steffen, among others.

“We are delighted to bring the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship to Australia,” says Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “Asia Pacific is a rapidly expanding region for our sport, particularly the Sunshine Coast and Queensland, both hugely popular strongholds for the IRONMAN brand.”

“The region has a significant history in the sport of triathlon and is a popular destination that we know will deliver a world class event while providing genuine warmth of hospitality,” Messick added.

Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship would attract the world’s best endurance athletes from across the nation and overseas to the Sunshine Coast in 2016. 

“The Queensland Government’s 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, outlines the importance of delivering events such as this which drive visitation to Queensland’s destinations,” said Ms Stuckey.

“The Sunshine Coast provides an ideal backdrop to deliver a memorable event for visiting competitors with athletes likely to ‘Make the Most of the Moment’ and stay on after the championship to experience the region’s tourism offerings.

“As we look toward the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, of which triathlon is a core sport, it is events such as this that further demonstrate Queensland’s ability to host spectacular international sporting events.”

“We are excited to welcome triathletes from throughout our region and around the world for what we are confident will be a superb experience,” said IRONMAN Asia Pacific CEO, Geoff Meyer. “The Sunshine Coast will be a magnificent setting – whether it is your goal to qualify for the world championship, or be a participant at the IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast triathlon, it will be a race week triathletes won’t want to miss.”

This year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship is set for Mont-Tremblant in Quebec, Canada on September 7, 2014 and the 2015 event will be hosted in Zell am See-Kaprun, SalzburgerLand, Austria on August 30, 2015.

Bradford Bulls Set for Consortium Takeover

Bradford Bulls have revealed an offer has been accepted to take permanent control of the Super League club.

Since early last month, the Bulls have been under the temporary ownership of Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd, who took control after its former holding company, owned by Omar Khan, entered into administration.

Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd initially secured a 28-day Super League licence, allowing time for other interested parties to table offers for the club.

However, administrator David Wilson has now agreed a deal with the interim owners, who will now seek approval from the Rugby Football league to allow the club to continue competing in Super League.

In a statement, Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul, said: “We are delighted that our offer has been accepted by David Wilson and are now approaching the final stages in the change of ownership of Bradford Bulls.

“The position of the board of directors of Bradford Bulls 2014 Ltd has always been to be open with supporters and stakeholders and that is why we are making an effort to update everyone concerned with precise and accurate information.

“The RFL’s board of directors must now take a view on our offer, our plans for the future and the way in which we intend to work with creditors going forward.

“Despite recent reports, the ownership of the club now has to be approved by the governing body.

“There are right and proper protocols to follow and a due process which is still to take place. But we are extremely confident that we will receive ratification in the near future, handing us the right to operate in the sport’s top flight.

“The first step was to offer the best deal for the club – and we have done that. The next is to get the nod from the RFL.

“We hope our supporters can appreciate the hard work that is going on here at The Provident Stadium, across all departments, to ensure a successful future for the Bulls.

“We believe we are close to a conclusion on the matter of ownership. That in itself is hugely pleasing.

“My message, to the fans, is to continue their fantastic support. We will take this club back to where it belongs.”

The club could still face a points deduction for having entered into administration, and are expected to find out their punishment early next week.

San Jose Earthquakes Close in New Jersey & Stadium Sponsor

The San Jose Earthquakes have revealed they are close to securing new jersey and stadium sponsors.

After announcing a revamp to their brand last Thursday, canada cheap president David Kaval suggested that team officials are “optimistic that it’ll happen in short order”.

“We’re in several advanced conversations with both jersey and [stadium] naming-rights partners,” Kaval said. “Some are considering both properties, and so we want to make sure that we get the right partner.”

The Quakes haven’t had a jersey sponsor since their three-year deal with Amway Global expired after the 2011 season.

Kaval said the firms in the running are predominantly technology companies, many from the Bay Area.

“But some are international, too, because some international tech companies like having a presence in the Bay Area, to make them feel more like a home team,” Kaval said.

Although Kaval said that the Quakes’ jerseys could sport a sponsor’s logo “at any time,” any potential deal is in limbo because of the concurrent talks about naming the club’s new stadium, which is still on track to be completed in November.

“The calculus is different when you have to consider potentially bundling the assets and creating more value that way,” Kaval said, pointing to the example of Toronto FC’s lucrative deal with BMO, which included both a jersey deal and stadium name upon the Canadian club’s 2007 entry to MLS.

“You can’t really divorce the two [decisions], because a lot of the big sponsorship deals are connected to the stadium sponsorship,” he said. “And we want to make sure … that we get the most value. Because the dollar figure of that deal it helps you make additional investments on the field.”

Golfer Mark Mouland Signs Representation Deal with MB Partners

Two-time European Tour winner Mark Mouland has agreed a representation deal with MB Partners.

Currently playing on the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour, Mouland has a wealth of international golfing experience and knowledge. He enjoyed one of the longest careers in European Tour history with over 550 appearances, making him the eighth most experienced golfer ever on the European Tour.

His two wins on the European Tour include the 1986 Car Care Plan International and 1988 KLM Open.

“I am delighted to be joining MB Partners,” said Mouland. “By working with Mark Blundell, he has a great understanding of the daily needs of a professional sportsman, which means all I need to focus on is what I do best. I am looking forward to this new relationship and discovering the opportunities to showcase my knowledge and expertise in other areas.”

Head of Golf at MB Partners, Duncan Maxim commented, “It’s great to welcome Mark to MB Partners. He’s had a tremendous career over the past 20 years and brings a wealth of experience to our portfolio of golfers. Mark is still highly competitive, splitting his time between the European Seniors Tour and Champions Tour in the US, which he will continue to do for the 2014 season, along with building his media platform to utilise his expertise further.”

R&A Chairman Shrugs Off Male-Only Clubs Criticism

Peter Dawson, chairman of the Royal & Ancient (R&A) is adamant male-only golf clubs do not damage the image of the sport.

Muirfield, which will host this weeks Open Championship, is a male-only club and Dawson faced a number of questions relating to Muirfield and two other clubs in the tournament rotation, Troon and Royal St George’s.

Dawson said in a news conference on Wednesday: “In our view they don’t do anyone any harm and we think the right of freedom of association is important. And we’ve explained our view that we think they have no material adverse effect on participation.

“On the other hand, the media are, with seemingly boundless energy, I think, and enthusiasm, giving out the message that this is an issue and that such clubs should be condemned to extinction, and we shouldn’t be using one to stage The Open Championship. And we understand that view, too.

“We’ve got politicians posturing, we’ve got interest groups attacking the R&A, attacking The Open and attacking Muirfield. To be honest, our natural reaction is to resist these pressures, because we actually don’t think they have very much substance.

“But I’d like to stress we’re not so insular as to fail to recognise the potential damage that campaigns like this can do to The Open Championship.

“And it is our Championship Committee’s responsibility to do what is best for The Open and to maximise the benefits which The Open brings, not just to golf, but also to the local area. And, by the way, in huge funding for women’s golf.”

Not everybody is against the single gender policy with support, perhaps surprisingly, coming from the chief of the Ladies’ Golf Union.

“I don’t think it has any affect,” Shona Malcolm, CEO of the union, told Sky Sports News.

“We can see both sides of the story but we have affiliated ladies only golf clubs and they are very keen to maintain the status quo.”

With around 3,000 golf clubs in the UK, Malcolm said that 1% of these had single gender membership policies.

UK Sport Reveal Basketball Funding for Rio 2016

UK Sport have made a major U-turn today by revealing they will award funding to Basketball for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The announcement comes after Basketball made an informal representation to UK Sport’s Board earlier this week. Basketball had originally been allocated no funds for Rio 2016.

Basketball presented new and compelling performance information that reprioritised the sport and the Board agreed to further investment.UK Sport’s award will be on a one year conditional basis with the following three years funding released only on the fulfilment of strict performance criteria. The exact amount of investment to be awarded to these sports will be determined through further dialogue with the sport in the coming weeks. UK Sport also added funding for Wheelchair Fencing.

British Basketball’s Performance Chairman, Roger Moreland said: “We are absolutely delighted with the decision of UK Sport today. They have acknowledged that we successfully presented compelling new performance data, which not only impressed the Board but made them recognise that we are potential podium contenders for 2020. They could see from our evidence and that supplied by Patrick Baumann from our International Federation (FIBA) that our sport has an upward trajectory in terms of both performance and participation.”The endorsement and support of FIBA also played a crucial part in our success by demonstrating through technical information, how much progress we have made over the last 7 years as well as our position globally. We will now enter into a dialogue with UK Sport about the actual details and level of funding as well the support services required.

“This is a momentous day for British Basketball and everyone who is connected with the sports, whether players, fans or officials.”

Reacting to the decision, Mr Baumann, Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said: “I am thrilled for British Basketball and UK Sport’s recognition and appreciation of the very strong case we presented. The new funding will allow the sport to build on the progress and growth it has already made in a very short time and aim for a podium place in 2020.”

Bombay High Court Rules on Deccan Chargers

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Deccan Chargers will remain terminated from the IPL after the Bombay High Court set aside a status quo order passed by an arbitrator on cessation of its membership in the league.

Justice Dhanuka quashed the status quo order passed by the arbitrator appointed by the High Court to resolve the dispute between Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Deccan Chronicles Holdings Ltd (DCHL).

On another petition filed by DCHL against termination of the contract of its IPL franchise, the court refused to grant any interim relief.

The court orders on the two petitions suggest that the termination of Deccan Chargers’ IPL membership will stand.

Dhanuka said the “arbitrator had no jurisdiction to grant status quo.” He said the arbitrator is not superior to the High Court and so “cannot pass an order which overrides the high court’s direction.”{jcomments on}

 

Jaguars to Play Home Games in London

National Football League (NFL) side, sale the Jacksonville Jaguars, viagra order will play numerous home games in London in a bid to boost their global marketability.

The Jaguars will play four ‘home’ games in London, sale uk viagra. starting from 2013 and running up until 2016.

The news comes on the back of the St Louis Rams announcement last week that they would be pulling out from plans to play in the capital in 2013 and 2014.

New Jaguars owner Shad Khan said on his appointment in December: “The NFL is going to be developing an international fan base. Why shouldn’t it be the Jaguars?”

The Florida side have also struggled to sell out EverBank Field, their 67,000 capacity stadium, over the past couple of seasons.