Coast to Coast

BUFFALO
Bills start ‘Collision of the Game’
The Buffalo Bills agreed to a marketing deal that makes Carubba Collision the team’s official auto collision repair center. The Carubba “Collision of the Game” feature will be shown on the Ralph Wilson Stadium scoreboard during all home games. A promotion of the same name has been a staple during Buffalo Sabres games for more than 30 years.

A perfect photo op awaits fans at the stadium. Photo by: GETTY IMAGES

Ralph Wilson statue greets fans
The Bills erected a life-sized statue of the franchise’s late founder and owner, Ralph Wilson. San Antonio sculptor Jerry McKenna included in the design Wilson’s favorite New Balance tennis shoes, which he almost always wore. The statue outside Ralph Wilson Stadium also was designed so that fans can appear to be shaking hands with Wilson.

Bills help troops hit the links
Bunkers in Baghdad, a nonprofit organization that collects and ships new and used golf equipment to troops stationed in 32 countries, received a $5,000 grant from the Bills as part of the team’s 2015 Charitable Giving Program. The grant will help the Buffalo-based Bunkers fund initiatives related to Buffalo’s VA Hospital and Western New York military members and veterans stationed around the world.

FRISCO, TEXAS
Ford renames Cowboys facility
Ford Motor Co. signed a 10-year deal for naming rights to the Dallas Cowboys’ new headquarters and practice facility under construction in Frisco. The team’s complex, part of a $2 billion mixed-use project originally called The Star, is now officially the Ford Center. Ford, a founding partner of AT&T Stadium, will have its logo attached to the exterior of the 12,000-seat indoor facility.

LAS VEGAS
Arena name, partners expected soon
AEG’s Las Vegas arena being built in conjunction with MGM Resorts will have a naming-rights partner within 60 days and up to 10 founding partners, according to a Los Angeles Times report. The facility would host as many as 140 events a year if the NHL opts to award a franchise to Fidelity National Financial Chairman Bill Foley’s group. The NHL expansion review process is ongoing.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Vikings sell plaza naming rights
The Minnesota Vikings signed Medtronic to a 10-year deal for naming rights to the outdoor plaza next to U.S. Bank Stadium, their new $1.1 billion facility opening next year. Medtronic Plaza, a three-acre space, will serve as the gateway between downtown Minneapolis and the stadium, providing a destination for pregame activities and special events.

Vikings plan new district
The Vikings unveiled their vision for a sprawling new residential and business district near Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in suburban Eagan, according to a Minneapolis Star Tribune report. The district would be anchored by a new headquarters facility, a practice venue and small stadium, and it would keep the Vikings’ image visible year-round with a location next to the airport and the Mall of America.

Aerial view shows the intricate design of the maze, part of 20 acres devoted to the festival.

Corn maze has Wild anniversary logo
This year’s Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze features a 15th anniversary edition of the Minnesota Wild logo as the centerpiece of its corn maze. For each ticket sold, 50 cents will go toward the Minnesota Wild Foundation. Once attendance hits 20,000, the donation will double to $1. The corn maze in Brooklyn Park, Minn., open through Oct. 25, is the largest in the state.

SC Railing Co. acquires company
Minneapolis-based SC Railing Co. acquired South Carolina-based Architectural Railings & Grilles. Both firms have made railings and grilles for commercial projects, including sports facilities.

NEWARK
Devils sign preseason partner ‘Benders’
The New Jersey Devils and IFC teamed up to make the cable network’s new comedy series, “Benders,” which premieres Oct. 1, the official preseason partner of the team. A video feature from this month’s inaugural Benders Cup tournament, which was played at Prudential Center, will run in-arena throughout the Devils’ home preseason schedule, starting this week.

NEW YORK
MSG Co. OKs business spinoff
The Madison Square Garden Co.’s board of directors approved the spinoff of the company’s sports and entertainment businesses from its media business. MSG will be a stand-alone media company and will change its name to MSG Networks Inc., and the newly formed sports and entertainment company will be called The Madison Square Garden Co.

PHOENIX

Suns show off new logo, uniform
The Phoenix Suns debuted a marketing campaign branded WeArePHX as well as a black alternate uniform for the 2015-16 NBA season. The Suns will wear the alternate jersey for the first time at the team’s home opener, Oct. 28 at Talking Stick Resort Arena, and a total of 13 times during the coming season, a nod to the jersey number of Suns great Steve Nash, who is being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor this year.

RICHMOND, VA.
Cycling event signs insurer
Markel Corp. joined the team of corporate partners for the 2015 International Cycling Union Road World Championships, which concludes Sunday. The locally based company was designed as the official specialty insurer of the event. Markel also will retain naming rights to the event’s volunteer program.

SAN ANTONIO
Spurs hit season-ticket record
The San Antonio Spurs this season will sell out of their available inventory of season tickets for the first time in the more than 40-year history of the team. The club has created a season-ticket waiting list, another first for the franchise. The team expects the final season-ticket count to be about 13,200 seats sold, including about 2,500 new ticket accounts.

SAN JOSE
Sharks marking silver anniversary
Sharks Fan Fest on Sept. 12 brought 10,000 die-hard San Jose Sharks fans to SAP Center for photo ops with players, autographs from team alumni and the unveiling of the franchise’s 25th anniversary “heritage jersey,” according to a San Jose Mercury News report. The team is marking its silver anniversary in the NHL with a seasonlong celebration.

From left: Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, former players Danny Cox, Jason Isringhausen, Jason Simontacchi, Kyle McClellan and Outdoor Channel’s Terry and Mark Drury. Photo by: OUTDOOR CHANNEL

ST. LOUIS
Cardinals welcome Drurys
A Sept. 8 Outdoors Night presented by Cabela’s at Busch Stadium, featuring the St. Louis Cardinals and visiting Chicago Cubs, was hosted by the Drurys (Mark, Terry, Matt and Taylor), stars of Outdoor Channel’s “Drury’s Thirteen,” “Bow Madness” and “Dream Season: The Journey.” After the game, 175 fans participated in a Q&A session featuring the Drurys and Cardinals alumni. The Outdoors Night marks two important times on the calendar: Baseball heading to the postseason, and the start of hunting season.

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Rays offer Honor Pass tickets
The Tampa Bay Rays rolled out the Rays Honor Pass to recognize military veterans. Pass holders can obtain two tickets to as many games as they would like for the remainder of the 2015 regular season. The Rays partnered with ID.me to provide online verification of active duty military, retired and honorably discharged veteran status.

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tentative deal reached for new arena
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and Monumental Sports & Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis agreed on the framework for a tentative deal to build a new Washington Wizards practice facility and WNBA Mystics arena in the southeast area of the district, according to a Washington Post report. The cost of the 4,000- to 5,000-seat facility is estimated at $50 million to $60 million.

Monumental renews with casino
Monumental Sports & Entertainment renewed its partnership with Maryland Live! Casino. As part of the renewal, the Players Club at Verizon Center will become the Maryland Live! Casino Players Club. The members-only space provides access to Wizards, Mystics and Capitals games, and other Verizon Center events.

      COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS

BARCELONA

Site to feature La Liga summaries
Barcelona-based sports publication Sport’s website, SPORT.es, will this season offer summaries of La Liga and Copa del Rey games. Sport reached an agreement with the Spanish Football League and Movistar+ to acquire the rights to these 30-second summaries.

BOLOGNA, ITALY
Stadium to feature Cesari wines
Serie A club Bologna sealed a partnership with wine producer Umberto Cesari. The Bologna-based Italian wine producer becomes the official supplier of wines to the hospitality areas of the club’s Dall’Ara stadium.

DUBAI, U.A.E.
New owner joins Royals, Federer
Joining the International Premier Tennis League bandwagon, India Test captain Virat Kohli became co-owner of the UAE Royals, according to a PTI report. The Royals will be led by Swiss tennis player Roger Federer. The UAE leg of the league will be held from Dec. 14-16 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

GALWAY, IRELAND
Team signs formalwear partner
Irish Pro12 rugby union team Connacht agreed to a partnership with tailor Anthony Ryans Galway. Under a two-year deal, Anthony Ryans will be the official formalwear supplier to Connacht’s senior squad. Anthony Ryans developed an exclusive collection of formalwear for team members to wear at postmatch functions.

HONG KONG
LeTV wins EPL rights
Chinese digital media company LeTV has beaten Hong Kong’s PCCW in a $400 million-plus deal for the rights to broadcast English Premier League matches in the city starting next season, according to a South China Morning Post report. LeTV will pay more than double the $200 million PCCW is now paying for its three-year deal with the EPL, which is in its final season.

LILLE, FRANCE
EuroBasket sets attendance record
A new single-game attendance record for an indoor basketball game in Europe was set in Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, France, on Sept. 12 when a sellout crowd of 26,135 turned out for the game between France and Turkey in the EuroBasket 2015 Round of 16. The previous record (24,232) was held by Red Star Belgrade at Belgrade Arena.

LONDON

DHL concluded its journey last week with a three-day effort in London, raising money for the United Nations World Food Programme’s Tackle Hunger campaign. Photos by: AFRICAN PRESS ORGANIZATION

DHL’s rugby trip traverses Africa
A team of seven who embarked last October on a journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to London as part of DHL’s Africa as One campaign arrived at their final destination after traveling through 45 countries. The team traveled 70,854 kilometers and spent more than 850 hours on the road while introducing the game of rugby to children in Africa. The journey as part of the buildup to Rugby World Cup 2015 in England involved the team passing a single rugby ball from hand to hand across Africa.

Tissot keeping rugby on time
Switzerland-based Tissot was

named the official timekeeper of Rugby World Cup 2015. The international tournament started last week and concludes at Twickenham Stadium on Oct. 31.

Malouf plans more yacht events
Sydney businessman Ian Malouf will host a series of events in London aboard his luxury yacht during the Rugby World Cup, according to an Australian Financial Review report. Malouf, the owner of waste business Dial a Dump Industries, will moor his $28 million yacht, Mischief, at London’s Canary Wharf, and will employ celebrity chefs and former rugby union greats at events for gatherings of up to 40 people. The report quoted Malouf: “I do want to take it to other events like the Monaco Grand Prix and the Olympics next year and treat it as a business, while also having a lot of fun.”

FA’s Glenn OKs Wembley plans
Football Association CEO Martin Glenn is backing plans by Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to use Wembley Stadium as their temporary home while their own stadiums get redeveloped, according to a Reuters report. Chelsea plans on increasing the capacity of Stamford Bridge to 60,000, and Tottenham seeks to rebuild White Hart Lane.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
F1 Grand Prix set through 2023
Melbourne secured the hosting rights to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix until 2023, according to a Reuters report. Melbourne last year signed an agreement to continue hosting the race until 2020 and Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state government had agreed to a three-year extension.

NAIROBI, KENYA
Safaricom returns to rugby
Telecom Safaricom will sponsor the 20th edition of the Safari Sevens tournament to be held at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani, from Oct. 2-4. The announcement comes five months after Safaricom withdrew its sponsorship of rugby after allegations of corruption and fraud within Kenya Rugby Union.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA
Jets try on a new coat
A-League side Newcastle Jets named Inspirations Paint its new major sponsor. Inspirations branding will be featured on the front of Newcastle’s away kit, and on the back of the club’s home jerseys. The support from the paint brand extends to the club’s Westfield W-League side.

TOKYO
GungHo is gold for WBSC event
Tokyo-based gaming company GungHo Online Entertainment will be a gold sponsor, the top category, of the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 that will be staged in Japan and Taiwan from Nov. 8-21. Premier12 is the top international baseball event on the 2015 calendar.

For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.