Scotland supporters were "allowed to take bagpipes into Sunday's World Cup qualifying match in Slovenia." The reversal of an earlier decision not to allow bagpipes followed negotiations between the Scottish FA and the Slovenian FA. Drums were not permitted (BBC, 10/8).
Formula 1 Owner Liberty Media hired boxing announcer Michael Buffer to "bring some big fight buzz to the title tussle" between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel at this month's U.S. Grand Prix. Buffer's "rolling vowels and drawn-out signature call of 'Let's get ready to rumble' after introducing the contenders have become a hallmark of the biggest bouts from Las Vegas to London." F1 Managing Dir, Commercial Operations Sean Bratches said that it was all part of Liberty Media's commitment to "build the entertainment factor" in F1 (REUTERS, 10/7).
Samoa's rugby players "will earn just" £650 ($851) each from next month's £10M ($13M) Test against England at Twickenham. Some of the Pacific Islanders are living "below the poverty line" on base club salaries as low as £2,000 ($2,618) per year. England's players, "in stark contrast," will pocket £22,000 ($28,800) each for the autumn int'l match. World Rugby has no rule that host nations share matchday revenue (London DAILY MAIL, 10/7).
A Gaelic Athletic Association National Hurling League starting in January and concluding by the last weekend in March is under strong consideration "as part of the new master fixtures plan designed to create a significant window for club fixtures through April and into early May." A draft of "what the calendar might look" like is being circulated with a final "pencilled in" for March 25 (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 10/6).
