Serie A side Parma President Tommaso Ghirardi's sale of Parma to a "Russian-Cypriot conglomerate" was expected to be "formally announced" on Tuesday. La Gazzetta di Parma reported that Ghirardi "met with the new buyers" on Monday evening to iron out the last details and "is moments from
signing the new deal" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 12/16). ... U.S.-based Hotbox Sports Ventures has reached an agreement with Real Madrid to offer a team-based
entry-fee fantasy sports game. Hotbox Sports and Real Madrid will
introduce a new style of fantasy sports gaming to its fans around the
world, offering an entry-fee based game with grand prize cash
jackpots and a free-to-play version (Hotbox Sports Ventures). ... Scottish Premiership club Celtic has announced it will give away free tickets to its "less fortunate supporters for their league game against Ross County" on Dec. 27. The offer is open to "any fan who isn't currently working and will be served from the ticket office on a first come first serve basis, as long as they have the relevant documentation" (London DAILY MIRROR, 12/16). ... The French city of Rennes and Ligue 1 side Rennes are "close to renewing their partnership of seven and a half years." The "big news" out of this renewal is the creation of a "special ticket program." This program is intended for the “disadvantaged” public, which will allow them to have access to "leisure activities, cultural or sport." The “Get Out” card, which had 22,000 beneficiaries in ’12, will allow users to attend Rennes matches for €3-€5 ($3.75-$6.25). The city and the club will "fund this price reduction" (OUEST-FRANCE, 12/16).
