ALLENTOWN, PA.
TS Sports hanging with PPL Center
TS Sports will install center-hung displays and a fascia display at the new PPL Center for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. The arena is scheduled to open in September, seating more than 8,500 for hockey and more than 10,000 for concerts.
BOSTON
Foxwoods replaces Covidien at Fenway
Foxwoods Resort Casino is the new sponsor of Fenway Park’s Green Monster after signing a multiyear deal with the Boston Red Sox. The agreement, which runs through the 2018 season, is valued at seven figures annually, sources said. Foxwoods replaces Covidien, the health care firm that had naming rights to the left-field wall since 2007.
Sox unfurl championship banner
New England Flag & Banner was chosen by the Red Sox to produce the banner commemorating the club’s 2013 World Series championship. The banner was to be unveiled from the top of the Green Monster during pregame ceremonies at Fenway Park during the Red Sox’s home opener against Milwaukee on April 4. Banner dimensions are 196 feet wide by 36 feet, 6 inches high.
BUFFALO
Bills sign Duff’s Famous Wings
The Buffalo Bills agreed to a multiyear partnership with Duff’s Famous Wings. The Buffalo-area chain will serve boneless wings in their four branded concession stands at Ralph Wilson Stadium along with bone-in and boneless wings in the suites and clubs at the venue.
CLEVELAND
Indians, Skyview expand contract
The Cleveland Indians and Skyview Networks agreed to expand their multiyear contract. Starting with the 2014 MLB season, Skyview will expand its services to include its satellite distribution to the franchise’s network of affiliates.
DETROIT
 |
Fans entering Comerica Park will now pass through metal detectors.
Photo by: BILL EISNER / DETROIT TIGERS
|
Tigers opt for walk-through detectors
Comerica Park has installed walk-through metal detectors at all of its entrances as part of a leaguewide mandate to have metal detectors in every ballpark by 2015, according to a Detroit News report. Clubs could choose to have walk-through detectors or hand-held wands.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers launch loyalty program
The Los Angeles Dodgers launched the Dodger Pride Rewards program for season-ticket holders. The program will reward fans for attending games and offer rewards, prizes, vouchers, discounts and the chance to win team experiences.
PHILADELPHIA
Frozen Four to have $10M impact
The Philadelphia region is expecting a $10 million economic impact from hosting the 2014 Frozen Four, the national semifinals and final of the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey tournament. The games, which are expected to attract 15,000 visitors to the region, are slated for Thursday and Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
Harness racing resumes after delay
Harness racing resumed March 28 at Harrah’s Philadelphia two weeks later than expected after the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission had delayed approving the Chester, Pa., venue’s 2014 race dates earlier this year. The commission’s delay came after a request was made for information on track improvements following an injury to a harness driver last year.
PITTSBURGH
Pirates name Coke official beverage
The Pittsburgh Pirates reached a multiyear deal with Coca-Cola, making Coke the official sparkling beverage of the Pirates and PNC Park. Coke also will receive full logo and marketing rights and will have extensive signage throughout PNC Park.
STARKVILLE, MISS.
 |
| Rendering: DAKTRONICS |
Bulldogs get Daktronics display
Daktronics has partnered with Mississippi State University to provide an integrated LED center-hung video display system for Humphrey Coliseum. The system, which will include four main video displays and two ring displays suspended above the court, is due to be ready in time for the 2014-15 basketball season.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Opening Day babies get tickets
The Tampa Bay Rays have a new collaboration with Bayfront Health called Rays Fan for Life, which launched on Opening Day, March 31. Bayfront and the Rays will honor each baby born at the Bayfront Baby Place in St. Petersburg on March 31 with a certificate granting that child four tickets to all future Rays home openers.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
CORK, IRELAND
Munster Rugby, INM extend deal
Independent News & Media and Munster Rugby extended their sponsorship agreement for Cork’s historic Musgrave Park, which now will be renamed Irish Independent Park, according to an Irish Independent report. The branding is one of the key elements of the 10-year agreement between Munster Rugby and INM.
DOHA, QATAR
World Cup laborers get to play
World Cup 2022 host country Qatar, criticized for the dire conditions of foreign laborers building facilities, is holding a competition for those individuals, according to an AFP report. The manager of a public relations firm in Qatar said that the tournament is aimed at deflating accusations that Doha is mistreating the migrants building the venues for the World Cup.
LONDON
Airport service sponsors USA Rugby
USA Rugby signed a sponsorship deal with Heathrow Express, the airport-to-London train service that is hoping to cash in on U.S. tourism around the 2015 Rugby World Cup being held in England. The deal will see the Heathrow Express logo appearing on the back of players’ shorts and shirts.
Rangers borrowing $44.9 million
League Championship club Queens Park Rangers agreed to a $44.9 million loan with Barclays, secured against the club’s assets and Premier League parachute payments including potential TV revenue over the next two seasons if they return to the top flight, according to a (London) Guardian report.
MANCHESTER
Man U: Not selling naming rights
Manchester United remains adamant it will not sell the naming rights to Old Trafford and is not in talks with any commercial partner that would result in its ground being rebranded, according to an ESPN report. The report comes amid talk of a deal that would enable the club to pay off debt or finance the signing of new players.
Man U alumni buying Salford City
Former Manchester United players Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, and Gary and Phil Neville, as well as current player Ryan Giggs, have teamed to buy semi-pro Northern Premier League side Salford City FC, according to a Press Association report. The move is subject to FA and league approval.
ROME
 |
Stadium rendering shows wrap-around video screens under the canopy.
|
AS Roma stadium images unveiled
Plans for the new home of AS Roma were unveiled. The Woods Bagot design for Stadio della Roma features an intimate bowl of 52,500 seats, a natural grass pitch, and a canopy covering 100 percent of the stadium seating.
ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND
Royal Troon holds fast to gender rule
Royal Troon Golf Club has no plans to change its membership rules despite a vote being called to admit women to the men-only Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, according to a (Scotland) Daily Record report.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
