The National Rugby League "might be struggling" with its lowest crowds in a decade, but State of Origin "just keeps getting bigger." This year's Origin series is "set to become the most watched in history with the forecast for a series record for crowd attendance." NRL CEO Dave Smith is also "banking on a 21-year record being broken for the biggest Origin crowd at the MCG," with 80,000 tickets currently sold. Remarkably, 24,000 of the tickets already sold for next Wednesday night’s "must-win clash for NSW have been purchased by fans from outside Victoria" (Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH, 6/12). ... Tickets for Rio de Janeiro's UFC 190, held on Aug. 1, are now on sale for between R$147.50 ($47.50) and R$12,000 ($3,865), the latter of which "includes a VIP Premium" experience. The event's main match is between Ronda Rousey and Brazilian Bethe Correa (PORTAL DO VALE TUDO, 6/11). ... Three teenage synchronized swimmers from Austria were "injured when they were hit by a shuttle bus in the athletes' village on the eve of the inaugural European Games." Two of the three girls -- all 15-years-old -- were being "flown back to Austria after being treated in the intensive care unit at a Baku hospital." The third was released with minor injuries (AP, 6/11). ... The Amazônica Futsal Association (RAF) Super Cup begins this Friday between the Brazilian states of Roraima, Amapá, Rondônia and Amazonas. The tournament will go from June 12-14 and will be held in Manaus (GLOBO ESPORTE, 6/11).
TIPS NOT INCLUDED: Campaigners are "demanding the Living Wage for staff serving meals and drinks in luxury hospitality boxes at the Rugby World Cup." Rich fans "enjoying booze-soaked, match-day splendour will be served by workers on zero-hours contracts" earning £1.95 ($3.03)-an-hour less than the key rate in London. A sold-out "Follow Your Team" deal for England's four group matches is priced £3,595 ($5,580). But some waiters and waitresses "serving sumptuous meals and keeping guests’ wine glasses topped" will be paid just £7.20 ($11.17) in London and the £6.50 ($10) minimum wage outside the capital (London DAILY MIRROR, 6/11).
