10 Caribbean officials are under investigation after allegations they took money from Mohamed Bin Hammam, a candidate in the presidential election.

FIFA on July 26 gave the officials from the Caribbean Football Union 48 hours to come forward with information about a meeting where Mohamed Bin Hammam, a one-time challenger to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, allegedly offered envelopes stuffed with $40,000. Bin Hammam, the former head of soccer in Asia, is appealing the lifetime ban he was given from the sport.

FIFA’s ethics panel will meet today and is likely to bring the cases after more witnesses came forward to give details of the May 9 and 10 meeting at a hotel in Port-of- Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, according to one of the people with knowledge of the investigation. The pair were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

FIFA said in an e-mailed statement. “We cannot speculate on what will happen,” Ben Spencer, a spokesman for the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, didn’t respond to an e-mail or telephone messages seeking comment.

Bin Hammam has been excluded sice July 23. FIFA has spent a year trying to deal with corruption allegations linked to the presidential election as well as the choice of host for the World Cup, which brings in $4 billion but this endeavour doesnt seem it will end any time soon.

Soccerex are pleased to announce that FIFA have confirmed a dedicated FIFA Stand, for sale over 90sqm, order at this year’s Global Convention, 26-30 November, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  FIFA will use the Stand to showcase FIFA’s activities which go far beyond organising the men’s World Cup and other tournaments: FIFA develops football constantly around the world and uses the power of football as a catalyst for social change.

The affirmation of the FIFA Stand further strengthens FIFA’s presence at the event; Jérôme Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, has confirmed his attendance and Tatjana Haenni, Head of FIFA’s Women’s Competitions will be speaking in one of the conference programme sessions. Soccerex will also welcome representatives from all 12 Brazilian 2014 FIFA World Cup host cities alongside several FIFA World Cupand Olympic Games partners and sponsors.

Duncan Revie, Soccerex, CEO, says: “We are delighted with FIFA’s decision to take a dedicated area at the event this year. FIFA are the core of our industry and to have their backing, knowledge and expertise at the event is a great asset as well as a great honour.”

The Soccerex Global Convention 2011 will be held from 26-30 November 2011 and consist of an in-depth conference schedule, packed exhibition, a large range of networking and two-day Football Festival all taking place in the host city to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final, Rio de Janeiro.

Olympic Sponsor P&G UK and Ireland is to give 90 per cent of its ticket allocation for the London 2012 Games to mums and families after research revealed that 70 per cent of mums in the UK did not apply to see the event in the public ballot.

Research by P&G showed that 47 per cent believed a large proportion of tickets would not be going to the public, and this prompted P&G to make the announcement that it would give away most of its allocation to mums and families.

P&G and former Olympic silver medallist swimmer Sharron Davies have highlighted the possibility to still get involved and get hands on tickets.

Davies stated: “As both a former Olympian and more importantly, a mother, I’m thrilled Great Britain will be hosting such a monumental event and feel passionately that people should try and be a part of it.

“Whilst this research suggests that some mums may feel they are unlikely to get tickets following the close of the official ballot, the reality is that there will be plenty of opportunities and I’m so glad to hear that P&G is encouraging families to get involved in the Games.

“And it’s brilliant that they are giving such a massive proportion of their tickets to the public.”

Of 15 per cent of those interviewed, some 1,005 mums with children under 16, thought the Games were aimed at the business community, with just 13 per cent believing it is for families.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games really should be thought of as a family event, it’s a great chance to inspire and there’s something for everyone,” added Davies.

“With the Paralympic ballot opening later in the year and sponsors such as P&G pledging the majority of their tickets to families I’d encourage mums to look out for the many ways to get involved in seeing this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Brazil’s largest bank, Bradesco, has agreed on a deal with the Rio Olympics 2016 becoming the first domestic sponsor of the games.

The Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Finance and Insurance Services set a minimum amount of $320m to be paid in sponsorship money and value-in-kind (products and services). Bradesco will be paying at least this amount to become an official sponsor of the 2016 event.

The deal will also include marketing rights associated with the Brazilian Olympic Committee with more information set to be revealed on the deal on Thursday. The details will be unveiled during the official launch of the Games domestic sponsorship programme.

President of the Organising Committee and the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman said, “This first partnership evidences the recognition of the significance of Rio 2016 Olympic Games as a unique platform and incomparable opportunity for a brand to boost public reach, gain new markets and leverage businesses”.

CEO of Bradesco, Luiz Carlos Trabuco was also keen to show his delight at the partnership stating, “In the eyes of the world, it [the Rio Games] is going to be the celebration of Brazil with its positive agenda, modernity, work, social inclusion, and economic development”.

Amateur and professional tennis tournaments have attracted US$600 million worth of sponsorship from companies in 2010, sale order according to research from IEG.

The figure is a 3.2 per cent increase on 2009 and includes global, bronchi | national and local deals.

The report from IEG said that tennis has largely replaced the drop in spending by financial services and car companies during the global financial crisis, with new types of sponsors such as beers and spirits.

Mexican beer brand Corona Extra now sponsors the ATP World Tour, a deal worth US$70 million over five years.

Chinese apparel brand Peak Sport Products also signed a deal with the WTA Tour this year.

 

The launch of Portuguese-language sports channel Sport TV in the United States has been authorised by Portuguese regulatory authorities ERC.

The American version of the channel will be called Sport TV Américas, clinic and in the first phase of its launch will be addressed to the Portuguese American audiences based in the US and Canada, allergist based in the New York and Toronto metropolitan areas respectively.

The channel will be available in standard definition and in HD, and on satellite and cable. It will broadcast for around 86 hours per week in its first year.

Distribution of the American version will be handled by Seabra Portuguese Televisión (SPT).

Speedway Motorsports, ed Inc. (SMI) has selected Sporting Innovations, viagra buy a Kansas City-based sports technology company, to redefine and enhance the fan experience across its eight motorsports venues around the United States, which host some of the world’s largest events including NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA race weekends.

SMI’s diverse portfolio of facilities provides the challenge of taking full advantage of each venue’s strengths in terms of events, market and audience while also maximizing the benefits of informational scale afforded in operating eight such venues across the country.

To address its challenges, Sporting Innovations will implement its FAN360 platform for SMI. FAN360 is a sports operating system that will centralize and consolidate all fan touch points and data systems across the SMI enterprise to provide a more comprehensive understanding of fans’ interests and behaviors, resulting in more tactful sales, marketing, and operations. Sporting Innovations and its FAN360 platform have been globally recognized for successfully redefining the fan experience for Sporting Kansas City fans and at its “living lab,” Sporting Park.

“What really attracted us to Sporting Innovations, and what we feel sets them apart from other providers was they were not just a vendor, but the company was born out of the need to grow a sports organization. The Sporting KC success story speaks volumes to the effectiveness of the Sporting Innovations platform,” said Mike Burch, senior vice president of national sales and marketing for Speedway Motorsports, Inc. “As we got to know the team, we really saw how our vision and values aligned, and we’re excited to not only be using their platform but also working with them in shaping its evolution.”

“During an event weekend, our speedways are full of fans, each with a variety of allegiances – different drivers, different sponsors, different manufacturers, different bands, different foods,” said Burch. “As we learn more about where a fan’s passions lies, we can provide them customized information based on what they are interested in. We can also use those interests and responses to determine what other types of experiences and entertainment they would prefer. Our challenge isn’t as much providing something for everyone, but more about letting them know when and where that thing they love is happening.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to work with SMI, our first partner in motorsports. The leadership at SMI has a tremendous vision for enhancing the fan experience, and its investment to build engaged and sustainable fan bases,” said Asim Pasha, co-founder and co-CEO of Sporting Innovations. “Together, we will continue to build a long-term technology strategy that will position SMI speedways as the best places to experience a live racing event.”

NSW Waratahs have revealed today that CEO Jason Allen will step down from his position, price following four years at the helm.

One of the longest serving CEOs in NSW Rugby history, Allen instigated a significant change process and now leaves the organisation at the top of its game.  Culminating in the Tahs’ first-ever Super Rugby title, 2014 has seen Waratahs Rugby record revenues and net earnings, with the business enjoying the clear benefits of a strong financial footing and a championship-winning rugby team.

Waratahs Rugby Chairman Roger Davis informed the Board of Allen’s decision, saying, “Jason has done a remarkable job as our CEO and his resignation was accepted with a great deal of regret and disappointment.

“You could ask for no more evidence of the positive results of Jason’s commitment to the organisation over the past four years than the athletic and financial successes, which are the holy grail of all sports administrators, often sought but rarely achieved!”

On his decision, Mr Allen added, “I am very grateful to the Waratahs Board for their invaluable support over the past four years, and to our terrific commercial partners and key stakeholders.

“I’m very proud of the incredible commitment and passion of the on- and off-field staff here at the Waratahs.

“On the back of a record-breaking season, the business has never been in better shape and I feel now is the perfect time to consider my next steps.

“These last four years have seen significant change take place at all levels of the business.  In 2012 we became a vision and values-based organisation, with a clear focus on excellence, accountability and innovation.  As well as being Super Rugby Champions, next season looks set to eclipse 2014 and deliver record membership numbers, with early indications showing a 50% increase in demand and member satisfaction ratings at over 90%.

“As well as an explosion in the team’s social and digital media reach, the Waratahs have also fostered stronger links to the NSW Rugby community, thanks to the strength of the Tahs Together community engagement, launched two years ago.

“I am hugely grateful to the Waratahs Board and senior leadership team for their support and commitment in making all this possible and I wish them and the team the very best of luck for 2015 and beyond.”

Bromont/Montreal have been announced as the host city for the FEI’s flagship event, the FEI World Equestrian Games, in 2018.

The decision came after the FEI Evaluation Commission’s report was presented at the start of the Bureau’s two-day meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) today.

The Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park, venue for the Montreal 1976 Olympic equestrian events, will be the hub for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018. Bromont/Montreal is only the second host outside Europe following the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in 2010 which were staged in Lexington, Kentucky (USA).

Bromont/Montreal beat out Lexington the other remaining bidder for the 2018 Games. 

“We are really delighted to award the 2018 Games to Bromont/Montreal,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said after the Bureau decision. “The Bromont Olympic Equestrian Park is an exceptional and proven venue, and will be the ideal location for the eighth edition of the FEI World Equestrian Games, our most global equestrian event.

“We are now just 75 days from the opening ceremony of the 2014 Games in the heart of Normandy, when over 500,000 spectators and millions of TV viewers will watch the best equine and human athletes compete for world titles over two weeks of absolutely top equestrian sport.

“And four years from now, the Games will be heading to Canada, where we expect even larger audiences on the ground and on television as equestrian sport continues its global growth.”

Portland’s newly added Arena Football League team has announced its new brand identity and will now be known as Portland Thunder for the 2014 season.

“We appreciate all of the support we’ve received from our fan base and new season ticket holders,” said Owner Terry W. Emmert. “We wanted to choose a powerful name that will define our team and the attitude of our franchise. We feel our fans can be proud of the name Portland Thunder.”

Prior to today’s announcement, the Portland Thunder accepted team name suggestions from the local community, new season ticket holders and local schools through its “Name the Team” contest. As the first fan to submit “Portland Thunder” as his entry, Seth Johnson of Portland has been declared the winner of the contest. Seth will receive a pair of season tickets to watch the Portland Thunder live in action all season long.

Team President Jared Rose indicated that the franchise would be releasing further Portland Thunder branding elements, such as logo and team colors, in the near future.