ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Rangers, city agree on stadium plan
Arlington city officials and the Texas Rangers agreed on a plan to build a stadium with a retractable roof in time for the 2021 season, according to multiple reports. Construction, estimated to cost $1 billion, still must be approved by voters in a Nov. 8 election.
ATLANTA
Braves list new tenants for The Battery
The Atlanta Braves announced restaurant, retail and entertainment concepts for The Battery Atlanta adjacent to SunTrust Park. Plans include Wahlburgers; Kings Bowl (bowling); Live! — a custom dining and entertainment destination developed by The Cordish Cos.; Goldbergs Bagel Company & Deli; Mountain High Outfitters; Sugarboo Designs; DressUp boutique; and Harley-Davidson.
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Participants will receive an exclusive Chris Davis “Omoji” T-shirt.
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BALTIMORE
O’s welcome social followers
The Baltimore Orioles will host a Birdland Social event presented by GBMC HealthCare at Oriole Park on June 22 before the game against the San Diego Padres. The team will play host to 250 of its most engaged social media followers and will include question-and-answer sessions with first baseman Chris Davis (@CrushD19) and MLB.com writer Brittany Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli). Tickets, which include seats for the game, range from $35 to $60.
BUFFALO
Bills, United Way build character
The Buffalo Bills and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County teamed up for a new initiative known as Character Playbook. The digital educational program seeks to equip middle school students with knowledge on character development, conflict resolution and healthy relationship-building.
CHICAGO
Bears to use variable pricing
The Chicago Bears will use variable pricing for single-game tickets this season, according to a Crain’s Chicago Business report. Season tickets make up more than 85 percent of all seating at Soldier Field, which means the number of single-game tickets on the market is likely less than 9,000.
CINCINNATI
Pass could boost Reds attendance
The Cincinnati Reds introduced a Summer Pass ticket offer to boost flagging attendance at Great American Ball Park. The offer is for 15 games in June and July for $59. The deal covers all home games on Sundays through Thursdays.
MIAMI
Dolphins return to radio partner
The Miami Dolphins and Miami’s WQAM-AM entered into a long-term partnership. The station, where the Dolphins had their games broadcast during the 1997-2004 and 2007-09 seasons, becomes the official flagship radio partner of the franchise.
MILWAUKEE
Board OKs bond sales for arena
The Wisconsin Center District board approved three public bond sales that will raise $203 million to help pay for the Milwaukee Bucks’ new $524 million arena, according to a Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel report. The remaining $47 million in public costs will come from bonds sold by the city. Current Bucks ownership and former owner Herb Kohl are covering the other expenses.
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Final touches on the home team locker room were installed this month.
Photo by: MINNESOTA VIKINGS
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MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Stadium achieves equity hiring goals
U.S. Bank Stadium surpassed equity hiring goals in terms of minority-owned businesses and workers, according to a Minneapolis Star-Tribune report. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority said that the major components of the building are completed, from the roof and pivoting glass doors to the turf, seats, and purple and gold carpet in suites and clubs.
PHILADELPHIA
Phillies renew pass for June games
The Philadelphia Phillies are bringing back a ticket plan that rewards fans for buying in bulk. At the start of this season, a spring pass let fans go to all home games at Citizens Bank Park in April for $50. The Phillies’ new June pass gives fans access to every Monday through Friday Phillies home game for $50. All tickets will be delivered digitally via a mobile device.
Event’s $500K in grants to be awarded
Nine Philadelphia-area charities will receive grants totaling $500,000 as part of this year’s Constellation Senior Players Championship, to be played June 9-12 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon course in Flourtown, Pa. The charities provide services in the areas of education, youth development, affordable housing and health care.
Sixers plan free draft gala
The Philadelphia 76ers will have a draft party at Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on June 23. The free party will feature a disc jockey, contests, and an expansive kids zone. More than 3,000 fans attended a draft party the team held last year. DraftKings will once again serve as presenting partner for the event.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Coalition marks annual National Golf Day
We Are Golf, a coalition of the game’s leading associations and industry partners, visited Capitol Hill on May 18 for the ninth annual National Golf Day to discuss the game’s nearly $70 billion economic impact, $4 billion annual charitable impact, environmental value to local communities and fitness benefits. Industry leaders met with members of Congress, the executive branch and federal agencies.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
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The prestigious Royal Ascot will have 30 races and more than $8 million in purses.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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ASCOT, ENGLAND
NBCSN to cover Royal Ascot
NBC Sports Group reached a multiyear agreement for the exclusive U.S. media rights to broadcast Great Britain’s Royal Ascot horse racing event, starting in 2017. NBCSN will present live coverage of the June event, which is attended by Queen Elizabeth II of England, for at least 3.5 hours a day for five consecutive days.
BIELEFELD, GERMANY
Team renews with online retailer
Second Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld renewed its partnership with SO-Tech. The online retailer will increase its involvement and receive ad space on LED boards in camera view at the SchücoArena. SO-Tech has been a partner of the club since last season.
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY
Fortuna renews with telecom Otelo
Telecom Otelo renewed its shirt sponsorship deal with second Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf. Otelo, a subsidiary of global telecommunications company Vodafone, has been the primary shirt sponsor of Fortuna since the 2012-13 season, and its contract was set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
ENSCHEDE, NETHERLANDS
FC Twente opposes demotion
Dutch side FC Twente officials said that they will go to court in an effort to prevent the KNVB from demoting the club to the Jupiler League, according to a Dutch News report. The Dutch FA’s players council said that the club should be sent down one league next season for failing to get its finances in order.
GÖTTINGEN, GERMANY
Nike to outfit BG Göttingen
Basketball Bundesliga club BG Göttingen signed a new kit supply deal with Nike. The two-year deal, which will start with the 2016-17 season, will run until 2018 with an option for an additional year. Nike replaces K1X as the team’s official supplier.
GRANADA, SPAIN
La Liga team reportedly sold
The Pozzo family is set to sell La Liga side Granada to Chinese investors, according to a Football Italia report. Spain’s Ideal reported Granada owner Gino Pozzo completed the sale to Chinese group Desports in London on May 21. It would bring $42 million into the Pozzo family coffers and allow them to have the pick of Granada players to move to their other clubs.
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
Team owner launches Chivas TV
Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara launched Chivas TV, which will broadcast the team’s home games, according to a La Aficion report. Vergara’s goal is to reach a larger audience through the internet and theaters.
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The R&A will not pass through the gates of Muirfield for the British Open.
Photo by: AP IMAGES
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GULLANE, SCOTLAND
Muirfield removed from Open roster
The world’s oldest golf club has been stripped of the right to hold the British Open after keeping its ban on women members, according to a London Times report. The men of Muirfield voted 397 to 219 in favor of allowing women to join, just short of the two-thirds majority needed for the required rule change. The R&A, golf’s governing body, reacted instantly, removing the course from its Open roster.
LEEDS, ENGLAND
Leeds signs secondary kit sponsor
League Championship side Leeds United signed a deal with Clipper Logistics as the club’s new official secondary shirt sponsor. The company’s branding will be featured on the back of all Leeds United 2016-17 playing kit and replica shirts.
MAINZ, GERMANY
New naming rights for stadium
German car brand Opel signed on as the stadium naming-rights partner of Bundesliga side FSV Mainz, according to a Sponsors report. Opel signed a five-year deal with the club. As part of the agreement, the club’s stadium will be renamed Opel Arena until the end of the 2020-21 season. Opel replaces credit insurance provider Coface.
MANCHESTER
Man U signs Ecuador bank
Manchester United signed a partnership with Banco Guayaquil, which will receive exclusive financial services rights in Ecuador. To mark the partnership, Banco Guayaquil is launching a new Man U credit card for its customers.
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ZANETTI
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MILAN, ITALY
Zanetti helps start Chinese academy
Former Argentine football star Javier Zanetti, who recently retired from Inter Milan, was joined by Chinese real estate developer Linda Wong to launch the Inter Academy Yihai, a football-training program for boys and girls in China. Zanetti serves as the vice president of Inter Milan Club and was instrumental in forming the Inter Milan Academy.
NICE, FRANCE
Macron outfitting Nice through 2019
Ligue 1 side Nice and sportswear manufacturer Macron signed a kit deal for the next three seasons. The French club will wear the Italian brand at the start of the 2016-17 season. Macron will unveil the jerseys July 1.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Panasonic gets active in Rio
Panasonic, an official worldwide partner for the 2016 Olympic Games, will launch a variety of global marketing activities in its sponsorship category. It signed a partnership agreement with Sugarloaf Mountain in the Urca district, near Copacabana, to set up and open its corporate pavilion, called Stadium of Wonders, Aug. 7-21.
ROME
GS to cover AS Roma expenses
AS Roma officially has an agreement with Goldman Sachs that will cover the pre-development expenses for the club’s new stadium, according to a Football Italia report. The final price for the stadium is unknown, but the agreement will provide an investment of $34 million to cover the expenses.
RUGBY, ENGLAND
Rugby HOF to become museum
The World Rugby Hall of Fame will be turned into a museum in the town where the sport was born almost 200 years ago, according to a BBC report. The $1.7 million center is due to open later this year. According to folklore, the game was born at Rugby School in 1823. The hall of fame was established in 2006.
SYDNEY
Seiko expands rugby partnership
Japanese watch manufacturer Seiko will extend and enhance its partnership with Australian Rugby for an additional two years. Seiko has been the official watch supplier of the Qantas Wallabies for the last three years. In the new two-year deal, Seiko will have an increased match-day presence through LED signage, program advertisements and big screen.
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY
Team to open Chinese academy
Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg partnered with Chinese tire company Shandong Linglong to open a training camp in Shandong, China. The club will open the training center in September, aimed at Chinese players between 6 and 12 years old. Wolfsburg will also take three children from the training camp to Germany for every game at the Volkswagen Arena in the 2016-17 season.
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