BUFFALO
Bills donate to school district
The Buffalo Bills and the Local Initiatives Support Corp. donated $200,000 to the Rochester City School District to help build a synthetic turf football field at the Franklin Campus. The funding is allocated through a NFL Foundation Grassroots Grant.
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.
Illini football offers Chinese alternative
The University of Illinois this season will stream a Chinese-language broadcast of Illini football games, according to a Champaign News-Gazette report. The broadcasts will be available free through the FightingIllini.com website and its new mobile app. The school has more than 4,500 students from China, the largest group of international students on campus and a fivefold increase from the fall of 2005.
CLEVELAND
CSU, arena collaborate on marketing
A new partnership between Cleveland State University and Quicken Loans Arena will feature a new sales and marketing approach for CSU’s basketball programs at the Wolstein Center and Quicken Loans Arena. The arena will use their ticket and marketing engines to expand the sales efforts for the Vikings with the regional fan base.
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The branded Stinger’s Place at the arena is a popular play space for young fans.
Photo by: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
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COLUMBUS
Blue Jackets, brokerage renew deal
The Columbus Blue Jackets renewed their corporate partnership with Coldwell Banker King Thompson, a team partner since the 2006-07 season. The residential real estate brokerage will continue as presenting sponsor of the Blue Jackets Foundation’s 50/50 Raffle. A new component includes in-arena and social media promotion in support of the “Upgrade Your Real Estate” contest during select games.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers tip caps to law enforcement
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have a Law Enforcement Appreciation Night on Sept. 15. A ticket package includes a game ticket and a commemorative Law Enforcement Appreciation travel mug. Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell and Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck will announce the Dodgers’ starting lineup, and Levy Restaurants will offer a 25 percent discount at all concession stands with the presentation of a valid law enforcement badge.
LOUISVILLE, KY.
Track upgrading, relocating premium areas
Churchill Downs announced an $18 million capital project to modernize several areas. The changes include a new and enlarged Stakes Room on the fourth floor; a face-lift to the third-floor Turf Club, Matt Winn Dining Room and indoor premium boxes; a new balcony with views of the paddock; a new, 4,700-square-foot Turf Club Roses Lounge; and a new private Directors Room. Also, premium seating will be added to the fourth- and fifth-floor balconies.
MADISON, WIS.
Badgers partner with YinzCam, Gimbal
The University of Wisconsin partnered with YinzCam and Gimbal to deliver interactive experiences at home venues and on the road. YinzCam’s Wisconsin Badgers Game Day app will provide video of different camera angles for multiple sports and multiple venues, from both Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center. The app uses Gimbal proximity beacons with Apple’s iBeacon technology and Gimbal geofences to push location-based notifications to fans through their mobile devices.
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Clockwise from left: Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Cafe Versailles, Sloppy Joe’s Bar and Paradise Cups.
Photos: MIAMI DOLPHINS
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MIAMI
Dolphins add menus
After phase one of a multiyear renovation, the Miami Dolphins and Centerplate added new and local flavors to their in-stadium food and beverage offerings at Sun Life Stadium. They include Bodega Taqueria y Tequila,
Café Versailles, Goya (offered pregame on the Grand Plaza), Kosher Central, Paradise Cups and Sloppy Joe’s Bar, A Key West Tradition.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Soccer stadium leans toward St. Paul
The likelihood that an MLS stadium will land in St. Paul instead of Minneapolis seemed to grow last week with the expiration of a deal securing land near downtown Minneapolis, according to a Star Tribune report. There was no sign that a negotiating period for the $150 million piece of land was extended.
OMAHA, NEB.
Storm Chasers surpass 2 million fans
The Omaha Storm Chasers welcomed their “2 Millionth Fan” to Werner Park at their game Aug. 25. The lucky fan was Brent Jackson from Omaha. Jackson was awarded two 36-game ticket packages, a personalized road jersey, a suite package and team gifts. The Storm Chasers’ inaugural season was 2011.
PHILADELPHIA
Eagles plan trips with Apple Vacations
The Philadelphia Eagles and Apple Vacations signed a multiyear deal. The centerpiece is an opportunity for fans to take a seven-night luxury vacation — with Eagles players and alumni — to Mexico next April. The trip to Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun resort includes airfare, accommodations and an autograph and photo session. The cost ranges from $1,389 to $1,699 a person.
Harris foundation donating $3.5M to PAL
Philadelphia 76ers owners Josh Harris announced his family foundation is donating $3.5 million to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League. The gift is the largest ever received by the 68-year-old nonprofit. PAL serves more than 15,000 boys and girls ages 6 to 18 at 18 centers staffed by Philadelphia police officers. The Harris Family Foundation grant will be disbursed over five years and will enable PAL to build capacity to serve more kids through educational, athletic and cultural programs.
Joe Frazier statue set for display
A 12-foot bronze statue honoring Philadelphia boxing legend Joe Frazier will be unveiled outside the Xfinity Live! complex during a public ceremony Saturday. Statue artist Stephen Layne re-created Frazier in mid-punch, depicting the moment after Frazier landed the punch that knocked down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round of their fight March 8, 1971, at Madison Square Garden.
Flyers add Atlantic City stations
The Philadelphia Flyers added two Atlantic City radio stations to the team’s broadcast network for the coming season. The new partnership with ESPN affiliate WENJ-FM of Town Square Media and sister station WPGG-AM will allow them to pick up game coverage from the Flyers flagship station WPEN-FM.
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Three-year-old Grumpy Cat is the official spokescat of Friskies cat food.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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PHOENIX
A Grumpy pregame for D-Backs
Celebrity feline Grumpy Cat will host a meet and greet and will take part in the ceremonial first pitch at 1 p.m. today at the Arizona Diamondbacks-San Francisco Giants game at Chase Field. Grumpy Cat is known for her grumpy facial expression and has more than 8 million Facebook fans.
SAN ANTONIO
Arena getting LED upgrades
Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Bexar County partnered with Musco to provide AT&T Center with new state-of-the-art LED lighting as part of technology and infrastructure renovations. The new lighting system will include more than 200 luminaires and more than 40,000 LEDs. The increase in lighting performance will reduce energy consumption by 78 percent.
SEATTLE
Mariners honoring law enforcement officers
The Seattle Mariners will have a Law Enforcement Night at Safeco Field on Friday. Specially priced tickets are available online at Mariners.com/LawEnforcement. Tickets that are normally $21 and $39 will be available for $17 and $33. Each ticket bought through the offer will include a donation to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.
SUGAR GROVE, ILL.
LPGA event signs Constellation
Baltimore-based energy company Constellation will sponsor the LPGA UL International Crown event to be held in July at Rich Harvest Farms golf club. The company joins Rolex and Calamos Investments as ambassador-level partners. The biennial event features eight teams based on the combined Rolex World Golf Ranking of the top four players from each country.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
AUGSBURG, GERMANY
Team extends Dehner deal
Bundesliga club FC Augsburg extended its sponsorship with Dehner Garten-Center until the end of the 2015-16 season, according to a Sponsors report. The third-tier partner will receive ad space in camera view at WWK Arena. The partnership has a reported value of $171,000.
BEIJING
Rio merchandise on sale soon
The Chinese Olympic Committee launched the sale of 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics merchandise in Chinese markets, according to a China Daily report. With the partnership of Beijing Huajiang Culture Development Co. Ltd., also known as Honav, the COC announced several licensed merchandise items for Rio 2016, including plush toys, pins and keychains to be on sale in Chinese markets beginning next month.
BOCHUM, GERMANY
Team partners with U.S. agency
Second Bundesliga side VfL Bochum reached a deal with U.S.-based agency Athletes USA, according to a Sponsors report. The agency, which has contacts with more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities, will help the club’s youth players to get sports scholarships at U.S. institutions.
DINGWALL, SCOTLAND
Ross County signs Tickets.com
Scottish Premiership side Ross County sealed a long-term ticketing partnership with Tickets.com, according to a SoccerEx report. Tickets.com’s ProVenue system will provide a platform to serve fans’ ticketing requirements for home and away games, as well as for travel.
GENOA, ITALY
Car fleet firm puts logo on Genoa
LeasePlan Italia signed a sponsorship deal with Serie A side Genoa, according to a SoccerEx report. The car fleet management company, which served as Genoa’s premium sponsor in 2006, will become the club’s third jersey sponsor for the 2015-16 season. The logo will appear on the back of the players’ shirts.
HOFFENHEIM, GERMANY
MVV plugs in with naming rights
Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim renewed its stadium naming-rights deal with MVV Energy, according to a Sponsors report. The energy provider, which has been a partner of the club since 2011, is one of six naming-rights partners of the Wirsol Rhein-Neckar Arena. The MVV logo will be visible on the outside of the stadium.
ISTANBUL
Track destined for car dealership
Istanbul Park, built at a cost of $290 million in 2005 to hold auto races, is to become a used car dealership, according to a report in Today’s Zaman. The park, built with great fanfare and millions of dollars in public funds, was once described by Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone as the best track in the world.
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Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Maybank drops title sponsorship
Maybank has unilaterally withdrawn its title sponsorship for the 2016 Malaysian Open, according to a report in The Malaysian Insider. Malaysian Golf Association President Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said that Maybank was not satisfied with explanations given to important issues raised by it as the title sponsor.
MGA signs new event promoter
The Malaysian Golf Association roped in the World Sport Group as the new promoter for the Malaysian Open on a three-year term, according to a report in The Star. The MGA parted ways with GlobalOne. The MGA and WSG are now in the midst of discussions with several stakeholders on the staging of next year’s Malaysian Open.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Reds rotate the tires
Liverpool FC and tire manufacturer Maxxis International extended their partnership for a third term and a further two years. The new agreement will see Maxxis benefit from matchday LED placement and digital advertising in return for its ongoing support of the club.
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
Zenit extends with Alpari
Retail Forex broker Alpari extended its partnership of Russian football club Zenit St. Petersburg. The deal will run throughout the 2015-16 season. Alpari will be represented on the club’s website and in Zenit’s club magazine. The company will have advertising space at Zenit’s Petrovsky stadium in St. Petersburg.
SYDNEY
Bulldogs partner with Jaycar
National Rugby League side Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs partnered with Jaycar Electronics, extending its tenure as major club partner until the end of 2016. Jaycar founder Gary Johnston: “Last year the Bulldogs were the most-watched sporting franchise on free-to-air television in Australia and millions of people now know the Jaycar name as a result.”
WÜRZBURG, GERMANY
Team welcomes retirement specialist
Basketball Bundesliga side s.Oliver Würzburg signed a new partnership with retirement specialist BVUK Group, according to a Sponsors report. The company’s logo will be present on the front of the team’s jersey. The deal will run until the end of the 2016-17 season and has an estimated value in the low six figures.
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