ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Stadium debt to be paid off early
Spurred by record sales tax revenue, Arlington is poised to pay off a significant portion of its $325 million Cowboys Stadium debt years early, according to a Fort Worth Star-Telegram report. The move is expected to save taxpayers more than $64 million. Arlington voters in 2004 approved a 30-year, $325 million bond package to help build the $1.15 billion stadium.
BUFFALO
 |
The Amerks defeated the Hamilton Bulldogs on Oct. 23 at First Niagara Center.
Photo by: MICHELINE VELUVOLU / ROCHESTER AMERICANS
|
Amerks set game at Sabres home
For a second time since the NHL locked out its players, the AHL Rochester Americans have shifted one of their home games to Buffalo. The Amerks have moved their Dec. 28 game against the Lake Erie Monsters from the Blue Cross Arena to the First Niagara Center. The Amerks are the Buffalo Sabres’ AHL affiliate.
DENVER
Denver joining Summit League
The University of Denver accepted an invitation to become the Summit League’s newest member institution. Denver will join the conference on July 1 ahead of the 2013-14 academic year. Currently in the Western Athletic Conference, the Pioneers will be immediately eligible for all Summit League Championships in 2013-14.
Broncos eye future Super Bowl
The Denver Broncos and the city’s tourism group, Visit Denver, submitted a bid to host the Super Bowl in either 2018, 2019 or 2020. The NFL has already heard from New Orleans, Minneapolis and Indianapolis for the 2018 game.
LOS ANGELES
Galaxy looks to sign Latin American player
 |
Leiweke
|
AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke said that the Los Angeles Galaxy’s new deal with Time Warner Cable SportsNet and the Spanish-language TWC Deportes makes the signing of a Latin American player a priority, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Leiweke: “The reality for us right now, our thinking, is … iconic players that have a special relationship with the Hispanic community.”
MEMPHIS
Grizzlies sign Skyview Networks
The Memphis Grizzlies and Skyview Networks reached a multiyear broadcast solutions agreement. The team will have an all-inclusive play-by-play radio solution that includes satellite distribution, wise satellite receivers, F.A.S.T. (Flexible Audio Storage Technology) affiliate Web automation and the F.A.S.T. inventory management software.
NEWARK
Rita’s Italian Ice at The Rock
Rita’s Italian Ice reached an exclusive agreement with Prudential Center to serve Rita’s Italian Ice and Custard at the facility. Recently acquired by Falconhead Capital, Rita’s Italian Ice has been aggressively expanding in its core markets in the U.S. as well as internationally.
NEW YORK
Lundqvist mask fetches $66,000
The facemask worn by New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist garnered a winning bid of $66,000, the highest ever for a goalie facemask, to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief in an auction on SteinerSports.com. Molly Heines of New York placed the winning bid, which surpassed the 2011 sale of Los Angeles Kings goalie Rogie Vachon’s mask, which reportedly sold for $24,655.
ORLANDO
Golf Channel appeals for incentives
Golf Channel in a filing last week asked the city of Orlando for financial incentives to help it create 75 new media and telecommunications jobs next year. The network also plans to expand its local headquarters and invest $1.9 million in construction and equipment.
PEORIA, ILL.
Bank to present honors luncheon
Associated Bank is joining Bradley Athletics as the presenting sponsor of the 15th annual Student-Athlete Academic Honors Luncheon and supporter of the Braves Club. The luncheon traditionally is held each February to recognize students who have maintained a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average through at least one full year at the school.
PHILADELPHIA
WIP splitting sports programming
Philadelphia sports talk station WIP is splitting its programming starting in January. A new CBS Radio show featuring former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber with Brandon Tierney and Dana Jacobson will air mornings on 610 AM, while the longtime morning show led by former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Angelo Cataldi will continue to air on 94.1 FM.
PHOENIX
Diamondbacks start new radio show
The Arizona Diamondbacks launched their first “D-backs Hot Stove” show last week, airing on Mondays from 6-7 p.m. on Arizona Sports 620 (KTAR-AM). The show, which will be hosted by Greg Schulte and Jeff Munn, will air through Feb. 25.
SOMERSET, N.J.
NEC puts Daktronics on sidelines
Through a partnership with Daktronics, the Northeast Conference provided each member institution with new digital scorer’s tables. Schools received three LED displays that are capable of producing motion graphics, high-resolution images, statistics, interactive promotions and sponsor information. The conference is based in Somerset, N.J.
VAIL, COLO.
Games loses Teva name
Shoe brand Teva will no longer be the title sponsor for what used to be called the Teva Mountain Games. The offbeat winter sports event, founded by Teva brand President Joel Heath, will be staged Feb. 8-10 in Vail as the Winter Mountain Games, with a presenting sponsorship from Eddie Bauer.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA
Land Rover parks on Brumbies’ sleeves
The University of Canberra Brumbies and Land Rover agreed to a two-year partnership that includes the Land Rover logo on the sleeve of the team’s jersey and apparel. Land Rover’s partnership will commence with the 2013 Super Rugby season.
CURITIBA, BRAZIL
AEG to manage new stadium
Campeonato Brasileiro club Atlético Paranaense revealed AEG Facilities as the company that will manage the club’s new Arena da Baixada stadium, according to a Maquina Do Esporte report. The contract is for 10 years. The new stadium is scheduled to host World Cup matches.
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
Team moves up, loses $14.4M
Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt released its financial numbers for the 2011-12 fiscal year in which it lost $14.4 million, according to a DPA report. During the 2010-11 season, which was the club’s last Bundesliga season before it returned to the top flight this year, the club generated a $69,000 profit. Frankfurt expects a $424,000 loss for the current season.
LONDON
BT Sport to use Olympic media center
BT Sport will lease part of the media centers built for the London 2012 Olympics for its TV sports channels, according to a Bloomberg report. The building’s owner, Innovation City, said that the company will use 75,000 square feet of space in the former Olympic Broadcast Centre.
ROME
Formula E finale scheduled
Rome will be the backdrop for a race in the new Formula E world championship in 2014, according to an AFP report. The series is being backed by McLaren, which is supplying cars powered exclusively by electric energy.
SINGAPORE
HSBC golf event set through 2015
The HSBC Women’s Champions will be held on Singapore’s Sentosa Island for the first time. The 2013 edition of the $1.4 million tournament will take place Feb. 28-March 3 at the Serapong Course of the Sentosa Golf Club, which will continue to play host through 2015.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
