League Notes

Pele was in South Africa last month as part of a FIFA delegation “trying to determine if the [2010 World Cup] will go ahead as scheduled, or will have to be moved.” Pele said Nelson Mandela “is very sick ... If Mandela dies, it would be difficult to control there.” He added South Africa is “supposed to have already started the construction on the new stadiums. Until now, they didn’t start. Bill Gates, Bono, FIFA, we have a meeting to see how to help. They can help a lot to prepare the infrastructure. ... They are going to be okay. But they are already behind” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 10/10).

NHL: NEWSWEEK’s Nick Summers writes the NHL is focusing its marketing efforts on a “smaller base of more-intense fans.” League officials cite statistics that show “hockey followers are the most tech savvy and most likely to consume content via new platforms like wireless devices, as compared with fans of other sports.” NHL Exec VP/Media Doug Perlman said, “Our demographic is younger, and that’s what they want. We went as viral as possible during our relaunch” (NEWSWEEK, 10/16 issue).

IRL: In Columbus, Tim May reports the American Le Mans Series will join the IRL for its first-ever event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course next July 20-22 (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 10/12).