Birmingham City Owner Not Allowed to Return to England

Carson Yeung, the Birmingham City soccer club owner’s attempt to leave Honk Kong for the UK was blocked by a magistrate in the Chinese City

David Dufton, Acting Principal Magistrate, told Yeung today to apply to a higher court to change the terms of his bail and transferred the case to Hong Kong’s District Court. A hearing date was scheduled for Aug. 30.

Yeung, 51, was charged with five counts of money laundering involving HK$721.3 million ($93 million). He was told to surrender his travel documents as part of the conditions of bail that was granted June 30.

Yeung is needed in the UK as it is a busy time for player transfers and at the moment Birmingham City are losing out.

Yeung was released in June after posting over $500,000 in cash and just under $400,000 in cash guarantees. Each charge he faces is punishable by up to 14 years in jail and a fine of as much as $650,000.

Shares were suspended at Birmingham City by June 30.

Birmingham was relegated from the Premier League last season, three months after winning the League Cup, its first major trophy in 48 years.

Yeung bought Birmingham City for a fee of $131.5 million in October 2009.


 

World Cricket Business Forum coming to Kensington

The world of brand, suppliers, cricket boards and agencies will arrive in Kensington in 5 weeks.

The World Cricket Business Forum will bring them all together in London in September, and will be hosted by the Informa Sports Group.

The World Cricket Business Forum’s main aim is to discuss the key issues in Cricket and the use the opportunity to debate a wide range of topics where the whole of the Cricket industry convenes under one roof.

A selection of businesses that will be attending include the Head of Brand Management at LG Electronics, Head of Business Development at Twitter, Sponsorship Manager at Hero Honda, Director of WSM Communications representing Brit Insurance, Global Sales Manager, European Broadcasting Union, Vice President of Digital Media at ESPN International, Sponsorship Manager at Castrol and Global Brand Director of Cockspur Rum at West Indies Run Distillery amongst others.

The forum is fully endorsed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) will feature many senior representatives from the World of Cricket.


Participants include Chief Executives of the International Cricket Council, Cricket Australia, England and Wales Cricket Board, The Cricket Foundation, Cricket Netherlands, Afghanistan Cricket Board, FICA, Professional Cricketer’s Association as well as Commercial Director of the Rugby Football League, Vice President of International Media Distribution from the National Basketball Association, Chief Administrative Officer from the BCCI, President of the Sierra Leone Cricket Association, Honorary Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, Executive Member of Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board, Chairman, Anti-Corruption & Security Unit from the International Cricket Council, Manager of Cricket Operations at the UAE Emirates Cricket Board, Commercial Manager from Essex CCC, Chief Executive of Worcestershire CCC, Chairman of Durham CCC.

The event is listed in iSportconnect’s event section, which can be found here: http://isportconnect.com/index.php?option=com_community&view=events&task=viewevent&eventid=20&Itemid=77

RNZ Confident of Rugby WC Sales Despite Christchurch Refunds

Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) chief Martin Snedden has claimed that the ticket sales for this year’s World Cup in the nation are still on track despite refunds being handed out for games due to be staged in Christchurch after the venue was pulled from the schedule due to the tragic earthquake earlier in the year.

Prior to the refunds RNZ 2011 had sold a total of 919,000 tickets worth NZD189m (70 per cent of the overall sales target of NZD268m), a similar position at the same point in time for the previous Rugby World Cups in France and Australia.

Following the cancellation of ticket sales for the eight relocated matches, and the full refund to those affected ticket purchasers, the sales equation now stands at 790,000 ticket sold, such sales being worth NZD169m in total.

Snedden stated: “Pre-Christchurch, ticket sales were exactly where we expected them to be. The transfer of matches so close to kick-off is unprecedented for any major event and has created significant additional challenges, but we remain confident that we should be able to recoup the bulk of the refunded sales within the next two months or so.

“In addition, RNZ 2011 has the appropriate insurance arrangements in place for this type of incident.”

Included in the current sales figures are 105,000 tickets so far committed to through the RWC 2011 Official Travel Agency (OTA) programme. This is up from the 70,000 tickets originally committed to by that programme and already outstrips the RWC 2003 total OTA sales of 85,000.

Snedden added: “Total OTA sales to date have been excellent and we remain hopeful that more sales within this programme will occur between now and tournament time. Overall, we still remain confident that, by Tournament-end, we will achieve our sales target of NZD268m and 1.35m tickets.”

Meanwhile, rugby fans from around the world will soon receive their tickets for Rugby World Cup 2011 matches. The tickets have a uniquely New Zealand design and feature the Tournament’s mangopare and koru designs which represent the world coming together in union for Rugby’s greatest contest.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “This is a moment that truly brings Rugby World Cup 2011 to life for fans in New Zealand and around the world.

“As we draw nearer to the 100 days to go milestone, there is no doubt that Rugby World Cup 2011 will be a successful tournament. All partners are committed to delivering an outstanding event – a tournament that New Zealanders and the global Rugby family will be proud of.”

Real Madrid Sign Binbit Technology Partnership

Mobile entertainment services company Binbit has announced a content agreement with reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid for the exclusivity in the distribution for smartphones and other mobile devices in various regions of the world.
“The agreement and global reach of the company with more than 90 mobile carriers around the world, sale has been the key to increase the number of agreements with high value brands, in addition the company strives to diversify its services”, added Antoni Muntaner, president of Binbit.

The agreement joins a similar one reached with the other Spanish football giant, FC Barcelona, in August, through which Binbit is delivering Barça-related content throughout 40 countries in Latin America, Asia and East Europe.

“Binbit has proved to be an excellent business partner through its capacity for innovation and constant search for opportunities to reinvent,” said Muntaner.

Former Dodgers Owner McCourt Acquires 50 percent Stake in Global Champions Tour

Former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, nurse through his company McCourt Global, doctor has acquired a 50 percent interest in Global Champions Tour, salve an FEI recognised showjumping series.

The Global Champions Tour is an international show jumping series with 14 events across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Swiss watchmaker Longines is the title partner and official timekeeper of the Tour.

McCourt Global is an investment firm founded by Frank H. McCourt Jr., and its principle businesses include MG Properties, its real estate investment and development arm, MG Capital and MG Sports & Media. McCourt Sports Limited is a European operating unit of MG Sports & Media.

McCourt Global owned the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006-2012, selling the team for a record $2.15 billion in 2012.

“2014 represents a groundbreaking year for Global Champions Tour thanks to exciting new venues such as Paris, Shanghai and London’s Horse Guards Parade Ground close to Buckingham Palace, and a powerful new partner in McCourt Global, an organization that shares my appreciation for the sport and my vision for its future,” said Jan Tops, president of Global Champions Tour.

“Working together with McCourt Global, we will innovate to bring our Tour and the sport of show jumping to new audiences, new markets and new heights. We are all very excited by the opportunities that this new partnership with McCourt Global creates.”

“Anyone attending a Global Champions Tour event for the first time is not only awed by the extraordinary venues that host the events, they are also struck by the talent, discipline, and pure athleticism required to compete in this beautiful sport at the highest level,” said Frank McCourt, chairman and chief executive officer of McCourt Global. “The sky is the limit for the sport of show jumping. We look forward to working with Jan and his team to grow the sport for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the riders, the fans and future equestrians the world over.”

{jcomments on}

Wales Rugby League Takes Over Running of South Wales Scorpions

Wales Rugby League, who govern the sport in Wales, have announced they will take over the running of South Wales Scorpions for the 2014 season after their founder and inaugural chairman Phil Davies stepped down.

Davies founded the club in late 2009 following the old Celtic Crusaders’ decision to move north and has been at the helm of the only professional rugby league club in South Wales for four seasons in Championship One.

Work and personal commitments now mean Davies is unable to continue with the running of the club, however he will remain supportive of the sport in Wales.

“We have known for some time of Phil’s wish to step down and following Friday’s WRL Board meeting it was unanimously agreed that the NGB would run the club in 2014,” said Chris Thair, chief operating officer of Wales Rugby League.

“The RFL have been notified of our intentions and whilst we recognise there are still a number of formalities to go through before we are officially running a club in Championship One, with the season beginning in March it is in everyone’s interest that this happens.

“The WRL Board wish to thank Phil Davies for his time, energy and investment into the sport in Wales and he leaves a legacy of having given many young welsh players their first opportunity as a semi-professional rugby league player.

“During his tenure in charge many players who played for the Scorpions have progressed onto getting full-time contracts at other clubs such as Rhodri Lloyd and Gil Dudson at Wigan Warriors and Lloyd White at Widnes Vikings.

“Wales Rugby League now wish to continue with this legacy of providing opportunities for young Welsh players and this certainly has a good strategic fit to our new performance plans.

“We now wish to engage with as many people as possible who can support this new venture and should anyone feel they have something to offer then we would be delighted to hear from them.”

Sportradar Confirms Acquisition of SportsData

Sportradar, anabolics one of the world’s leading suppliers of real-time sports solution, buy has acquired US data company SportsData it has been announced today. 

The joining of the two companies forms a global leader in live sports products, health with comprehensive coverage across over 40 sports and 200,000 events.

Sportradar’s investment is a testament to the strong foundation and rapid growth of SportsData, whose customers include Google, Bleacher Report, Facebook and Twitter. SportsData will focus on providing an expanded product portfolio to media customers and fantasy sports companies. Sportradar, who serves more than 450 businesses in over 70 countries, will complement its European product portfolio with U.S. sports.

“This acquisition marks another important milestone in our endeavor to become the world’s leading global service provider for sports content and information,” said Carsten Koerl, Sportradar’s Group CEO. “With its state of the art infrastructure and its focus on technology, SportsData perfectly matches our strategy of continuously investing in technology and development to provide our customers with an unrivaled product and service quality.”

“Sportradar’s strong position in the European sports market, their experience in growing businesses as well as their financial backing, provide SportsData the perfect backing to continue to rapidly grow our company,” said Rob Phythian, CEO of SportsData.

Hampshire Cricket Reveals New Brand Identity

Hampshire Cricket have revealed a new brand image with the unveiling of a new logo.

The newly designed Hampshire Cricket crest maintains the ever-popular trademark rose and crown whilst incorporating an elegant modern shield.

A key feature of the logo sees reference to the Club’s heritage and inauguration year of 1863, alternative acknowledging the rich history of the famous county. The Club played its first game on 7th July 1864 at the Antelope Ground, asthma Southampton against neighbouring Sussex.

Hampshire Cricket Chairman, Rod Bransgrove said: “The enhancement of our logo has been timed to complement our celebration of Hampshire Cricket’s 150th anniversary. It provides a perfect balance between recognising the important historical milestone and developing a modern feel that will help the Club continue to move forward for years to come.”

The new logo will feature on all playing and replica kit in all formats of the game for the 2014 season, thus seeing an end to the ‘Royals’ identity. The team should therefore now be referred to as Hampshire Cricket or simply, Hampshire.

Indian GP Organisers Deny Rumours Race Could be Cut

The organisers of the Indian Grand Prix have denied rumours the race could be axed next year.

India joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2011 and has a contract to host the race until 2015. 

However reports emerged on Tuesday suggesting promoter Jaypee Sports International was in financial trouble and that the 2015 race could be in danger.

Askari Zaidi (pictured), spokesman for Jaypee Sports International, categorically denied these rumours in a statement..

“Some international news organisations are trying to spread rumours that JPSI may not host 2014 Indian GP. This is totally baseless and malicious,” he said..

“Our agreement with Formula One Management is to hold F1 races at Buddh International Circuit (BIC) till 2015, and we are fully committed to do that. There is no reason for us to give up hosting F1 races.

“In fact, JPSI is keen to get some more international car and bike races to BIC, besides F1 and the World Superbike Championship which will be held this year on November 17.

“We are fully committed to promote motorsport in India in collaboration with local government and global and local motorsport organisations.”

This year’s Indian F1 race takes place on October 27.

{jcomments on}

Glenmorangie Launches Open Championship Campaign after Troon Golf Partnership

Troon Golf has announced a strategic partnership with Glenmorangie, cough one of the world’s most famous Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

To mark the second year of Glenmorangie’s association with The Open Championship as the ‘Spirit of The Open’, ailment a unique campaign will be showcased to discover the world’s most “Unnecessarily Well Made” golf courses.

Troon Golf’s partnership will give monthly prize winners, drawn from entrants who nominate their chosen golf course, the opportunity to experience a Troon-managed venue from its impressive global portfolio that includes the likes of Abu Dhabi Golf Club, The Grove, and Prince’s Golf Club.

“Glenmorangie and Troon Golf have the strong brand synergies of discerning experiences, excellence, and meticulous process,” commented Bruce Glasco, Managing Director, International Operations, Troon Golf. “The ‘Unnecessarily Well Made’ golf courses campaign is centred on a topic that has long been debated between golfers the world over and it will be interesting to see what the distinguished ambassadors come up with. I know I speak for all our venues when I say we are thrilled to be involved and look forward to giving each winner a memorable experience.”

The campaign is a search for the top 18 most “Unnecessarily Well Made” golf courses in the world. A panel of experts; Sir Nick Faldo, Tony Jacklin CBE, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and legendary golf course photographer David Cannon have been tasked with identifying candidates for inclusion in this prestigious accolade. 

“Troon Golf presented an obvious partner for our campaign,” remarked Michael Atkinson, Global Marketing Manager, Glenmorangie. “They are responsible for some of the world’s finest golf courses and have a reputation around the world for their attention to detail and unparalleled expertise. We pride ourselves on similar values, which will see this relationship flourish.”