ATLANTA
City Council OKs stadium funding
The Atlanta City Council last week voted 11-4 to approve a funding plan for a new downtown Atlanta Falcons stadium, pushing the project over its biggest political hurdle, according to an Atlanta Journal Constitution report. The plan calls for city hotel-motel taxes to pay $200 million toward the facility’s construction costs.
CSE sponsoring sports summit
CSE will sponsor the 2013 Business of Sports Summit being organized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Atlanta Sports Council. The event this Friday at the Hyatt Regency will feature keynote speakers Mark Emmert, NCAA president; and Abe Madkour, SportsBusiness Journal executive editor. The Chronicle is an affiliated publication of SportsBusiness Journal.
BOSTON
Celtics, Sox offer digital ticketing
The Boston Celtics are moving to electronic ticketing for season-ticket holders with their Parquet Pass, according to a Boston Globe report. The pass serves as a ticket, a stored value card and a tracking device. The Boston Red Sox this year also will offer digital ticketing in a pilot program for 600 members of the Royal Rooters club, according to the report.
BUFFALO
Sabres acquire minor league team
The Buffalo Sabres acquired a long-standing local minor league hockey organization that will be based out of the club’s planned HarborCenter complex. The Sabres will operate the Buffalo Regals Tier I program beginning in the 2014-15 season.
One-third of Bisons games on live TV
The Buffalo Bisons will have 48 games broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel 713 this season starting with the April 4 home opener against the Rochester Red Wings. The schedule includes 37 games at Coca-Cola Field and 11 road games, with at least one game against every opponent in the International League.
COLLEGE PARK, MD.
Terps getting travel subsidy
The University of Maryland’s deal to join the Big Ten next year includes a subsidy to cover increased travel costs, according to a Baltimore Sun report. Sources said the subsidy is in the range of $20 million to $30 million.
DENVER
Kroenke to own Outdoor Channel
Billionaire Stan Kroenke emerged as the successful bidder for Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc. of Temecula, Calif. Kroenke, who owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Rapids, will pay $8.75 a share — or $227 million.
DETROIT
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The Red Wings installed two 100-foot-wide Ram-themed displays outside the arena.
Photo by: DETROIT RED WINGS
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Wings expand Ram partnership
The Ram Trucks brand, Chrysler Group’s Great Lakes Business Center, and Southeast Michigan Ram dealers are expanding their partnership with the Detroit Red Wings. Two Ram Trucks and Red Wings-themed displays will reside outside Joe Louis Arena. Continued elements include Ram as the team’s official truck, TV and radio spots narrated by actor Sam Elliott, in-ice logo presence, and in-game promotions.
DULUTH, GA.
AEG collaborates with venues
AEG Facilities and Gwinnett Center entered into a multiyear partnership calling for AEG to provide support services to the three anchor venues of the facility. Located northeast of Atlanta and operated by the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gwinnett Center includes The Arena at Gwinnett Center, a performing arts center and a 125,000-square-foot convention center.
MILWAUKEE
Pepsi to pour at Pettit Center
Pepsi will become the official beverage sponsor of the Pettit National Ice Center with a five-year sponsorship taking effect April 2. The brand gains a visible presence inside the U.S. Olympic training facility with exclusive serving rights and vending as well as signage throughout the building. Coca-Cola has been at the facility since its opening in 1992.
NEW YORK
Jets lowering upper-deck prices
The New York Jets are lowering ticket prices on 3,000 seats in MetLife Stadium’s upper deck, dropping some club-seat prices and stripping some seats out of their most premium area. While team President Neil Glat said 94 percent of the team’s prices will remain the same, the Jets wanted to get more season-ticket holders buying in the upper deck of the stadium and wanted to sell more tickets in the club areas.
Hyundai adds to Mets sponsorship
The New York-area Hyundai Dealers increased its sponsorship with the New York Mets to an annual six-figure deal that now encompasses naming rights for the premium field-level club area at Citi Field. The deal also packages outfield wall signage, rotating signage on the first- and third-base lines, hospitality, and tickets.
OAKLAND
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Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick flex their acting skills in several new ads.
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A’s ‘Green Collar’ ads return
The Oakland A’s launched the fourth season of their “Green Collar Baseball” campaign. This year’s commercials feature outfielders Josh Reddick and Coco Crisp, manager Bob Melvin, and coaches Mike Gallego and Chip Hale. Pitchers Sean Doolittle, Ryan Cook and Jarrod Parker make their commercial debuts in the comedic series of ads. Ad agency Hub Strategy did the A’s campaign.
PHILADELPHIA
Eagles move training camp
The Philadelphia Eagles will hold training camp in their home city this year after spending the past 17 years at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. The team plans to hold a number of free, public practices at Lincoln Financial Field along with private practices at the team’s NovaCare Complex.
Union partners with Farmers
The Philadelphia Union added Farmers Insurance to its roster of corporate partners. Under the multiyear agreement, Farmers will be the presenting partner of the “90th Minute” radio show, which airs Tuesday evenings on CBS Sports Radio 610. The deal also includes signage at PPL Park and involvement in soccer events held at the stadium and throughout the community.
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Participants in a “101” clinic last year took turns warming up in the bullpen.
Photo by: TONY ROMEO
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‘Baseball 101’ sells out fast
The Philadelphia Phillies sold out their May 30 “Baseball 101 Clinic & Luncheon for Women” event within a few minutes of tickets going on sale March 12. Tickets were $200 each. Tickets for a second clinic in August will go on sale in June. Net proceeds from the events will benefit Phillies Charities Inc.
PITTSBURGH
Pirates reach deal with Amcom
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a multiyear deal with Amcom Office Systems to be the official print and copy supply providers of the team. With the deal, Amcom gets the right to use the Pirates’ “P” logo in the company’s promotional advertising and marketing materials. Amcom also receives signage on the main concourse of PNC Park and advertising in the Pirates’ game-day magazine.
SACRAMENTO
Arena group eyes WNBA return
Think Big Sacramento, the initiative promoting construction of a new arena for the NBA Kings, rallied civic leaders and fans for an extension of their drive for a deal to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle: the resurrection of a WNBA team. Ruthie Bolton and Ticha Penicheiro, former stars of the defunct Sacramento Monarchs, said they’d work to land a team.
SYRACUSE, N.Y.
NBT replaces Alliance at Chiefs’ park
NBT Bank has taken over naming rights to the city’s baseball stadium, replacing Alliance Bank. The two banks agreed to a merger last fall. The naming-rights deal for the home of the International League’s Syracuse Chiefs is in place through 2025. NBT is based in Norwich, N.Y., about 50 miles southeast of Syracuse.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA
Winemaker aligns with rugby
Boutique winemaker Agnew Wines joined Queensland Rugby as a new sponsor. Agnew Wines signed a three-year partnership as official wine supplier, and through its label Cockfighter’s Ghost launched a new wine bar at Suncorp Stadium.
FRANKFURT
Skyliners partner with energy firm
Basketball Bundesliga club Fraport Skyliners agreed to a new partnership with energy supplier Mainova AG. The new premium partner will become the club’s presenting partner for its free live stream, which can be accessed on fraport-skyliners.de, beko-bbl.de and tv.sport1.de.
LEEDS, ENGLAND
Dubai-based owner may sell club
The Middle Eastern owner of League Championship side Leeds United signaled that it is in talks to sell the club, according to a Reuters report. Dubai-based GFH Capital purchased the club from majority shareholder Ken Bates in December.
LONDON
City may bid for 2022 Commonwealths
London is considering a bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with Olympic Park as its centerpiece, according to a Metro report. England last staged the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Rare Man U programs discovered
A fan could make $30,250 after finding two copies of the “Holy Grail” of Manchester United programs in his attic, according to a Daily Mail report. Keith Hames uncovered a pair of mint condition programs for the game against Wolverhampton postponed in the wake of the 1958 Munich air disaster. It is among the rarest of Man U programs — with pristine copies commanding more than $15,000 at auction.
MILAN
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The taunted Adebayor scored the winning goal in extra time at Inter Milan March 14.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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UEFA weighs in on racist behavior
UEFA charged Inter Milan over the racist behavior of its fans during the Europa League match against Tottenham earlier this month, according to a Press Association report. Inter fans taunted Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor and other black players, and the abuse was reported to UEFA by the match delegate and anti-discrimination body FARE.
MOSCOW
Putin calls for visa-free travel
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for visa-free travel for athletes and sports officials competing in major sports events in Russia, according to an R-Sport report. Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky said that the Russian government is considering a bill that would allow visa-free travel for athletes and officials from “non-dangerous countries,” according to the report.
PARIS
FFR to use debentures for stadium
The French Rugby Federation will issue debentures of $194 million to finance part of its future stadium at Ris-Orangis, according to a L’Equipe report. The new stadium’s total cost is estimated at $777 million. The debentures will give individuals loaning their money 12 to 15 years of priority when it comes to buying tickets.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Stadium readiness guaranteed
Brazil’s 2014 World Cup organizing committee guaranteed Rio de Janeiro’s Maracaña stadium will be ready in time to host the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, according to a Xinhua report. The venue has already had its playing surface laid but is still awaiting the installation of its fiberglass roof.
SANYA, CHINA
Volvo Ocean Race returning
The southern Chinese city of Sanya will be included on the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2014-15, according to an AFP report. It will be the third time the race, which takes place every three years, includes a stop in China, after Qingdao in 2008-09 and Sanya in 2011-12.
SINGAPORE
Sports Hub signs concessionaire
The Singapore Sports Hub appointed Sports Catering Services to provide catering for its retail concessions, corporate suites, and members dining areas and for events across five of its venues. The contract is for 21 years, with potential revenue of $40 million a year. Sports Catering Services is a 70/30 joint venture company between SATS and Delaware North Cos.
STUTTGART, GERMANY
Kickers to wear s.Oliver logo
German 3rd League football club Stuttgarter Kickers reached a new sponsorship deal with fashion company s.Oliver. The company’s logo will be featured on the sleeve of the team’s jersey. The deal will run through June 30.
TAIYUAN, CHINA
Harvard to compete at festival
Taiyuan will host the fourth World University Dragon Boat Racing Championship during the Dragon Boat Festival in June, according to a Xinhua report. About 1,000 competitors from 50 to 60 dragon boat teams, including Harvard University, will take part in the tournament.
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