Event Notes: Brazil Basketball Teams Will Not Automatically Qualify For 2016 Games

Brazil's men's and women's basketball teams "will not have guaranteed spots" in the 2016 Olympics. FIBA made this decision, "which forces both teams to compete in pre-Olympic tournaments this summer to qualify." FIBA's reason for the decision is that the Brazilian Basketball Federation (CBB) owes the second part of a payment -- of around €300,000 ($327,400) -- "as part of an agreement in which Brazil received a 'Wild Card' to compete in last year's FIBA World Cup" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 3/24). ... Individual tickets for all games during this summer's Copa América in Chile -- which will take place from June 11-July 4 -- will go on sale on March 31. These tickets "will be sold exclusively on the Internet." Ticket prices for group phase games featuring Chile, Brazil and Argentina range from $44-$130. Tickets for the semifinal games will cost from $62-$140, while tickets to the final on July 4 will cost fans from $70-$199 (EFE, 3/23).