BUFFALO
Outdoor game highlights 2018 Juniors
The 2018 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships take place in Buffalo, with an outdoor U.S.-Canada matchup at New Era Field serving as the highlight, according to a Buffalo News report. There also will be 22 games in KeyBank Center and eight in HarborCenter.
CANTON, OHIO
HOF, Goodyear reach new deal
Goodyear reached a sponsorship agreement with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The deal between the two global brands headquartered in northeast Ohio includes content focused on inspiring stories from pro football that will extend Goodyear’s “Blimpworthy” campaign.
CHARLOTTE
Hornets keeping time with Tissot
Tissot will serve as the official watch of the Charlotte Hornets in a new multiyear partnership. A Hornets-branded Tissot watch, priced at $395, will be available for purchase at the team’s official store inside Spectrum Center.
COLUMBUS
Variable pricing results in $190 tickets
The Ohio State athletic department announced that tickets to 2017 home football games against Oklahoma and Michigan State would cost $190 each, representing the highest tier for tickets under the school’s variable pricing system. This season’s most expensive ticket is $195 for a home game against Michigan.
DETROIT
Lions enlist Teamworks for logistics
In a new relationship with the Detroit Lions, Teamworks will streamline the team’s communication, scheduling, travel planning and player information management. The Lions join an increasing number of NFL teams in enlisting Teamworks’ technology.
GREENVILLE, N.C.
ECU partners with Teamworks
East Carolina University reached a new partnership with Teamworks. As ECU’s official collaboration software provider, Teamworks will centralize student-athlete and staff information as well as streamline communication for coaches, athletic trainers, advisers and administrators.
GREENVILLE, S.C.
New seats planned for mini ‘Monster’
As part of renovations to Fluor Field, home of the South Atlantic League Greenville Drive, the ballpark will add 91 seats, plus standing room only, to the top of its miniature version of the Green Monster. The Class A club is an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The architect on the upgrades is DLR Group.
MEMPHIS
Grizzlies extend with FS Southeast
Fox Sports Southeast and the Memphis Grizzlies reached a new long-term television rights agreement. Fox Sports Southeast will remain the exclusive regional television partner of the team and will produce all locally available regular-season games not exclusively selected by a national network.
Grizzlies clean up with ServiceMaster
The Grizzlies and ServiceMaster reached a new multiyear partnership, cementing ServiceMaster as a signature partner of the team and FedEx Forum. The company will focus its efforts toward “owning” the Grizzlies defense in order to “protect and maintain” the home court, similar to the commitment to protect and maintain customers’ homes and businesses.
 |
The Chairman’s Club bar and Club TI both have views of the action at Target Center.
Photos by: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
|
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Casino’s premium level unveiled
Target Center last week unveiled the completed Treasure Island Resort & Casino Premium Level. Along with naming rights, Treasure Island also will have a strong presence in the reinvented Club TI. The expanded club space, with more than 200 seats, provides an all-inclusive experience.
Wolves, Lynx name Coke official drink
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx named Coca-Cola as the teams’ official soft drink. Coca-Cola will be the exclusive nonalcoholic beverage provider for Target Center, and will become the presenting partner of the Family Fun Night Ticket Package. The partnership also includes in-arena and outdoor signage.
$250 for a chance at 590 tickets
Sports Minneapolis, an arm of the city’s convention and visitors bureau, Meet Minneapolis, is selling 500 tickets in its Ultimate Sports Ticket raffle, in which the winner gets a pair of tickets to 295 events next year — including season tickets to the Minnesota Vikings, Wild, Twins, Timberwolves, Lynx, United FC, Gophers football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and men’s and women’s hockey, and VIP passes to next summer’s X Games. Tickets are $250 each.
NEWARK
Team, mayor to recognize Cornerstones
Prudential Financial, Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils teamed up with Mayor Ras Baraka and the city to create Newark’s Cornerstones, a recognition program that will highlight community service efforts. One winner, chosen by a panel and announced in April 2017, will receive two tickets to Prudential Center events for one year starting July 1.
NEWBURGH, IND.
Sponsor extends with Web.com Tour event
Indiana-based United Leasing & Finance extended its title sponsorship of the Web.com Tour event at Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, Ind. The new deal runs from 2017 to 2019.
PORTLAND
Paulson considers stadium expansion
Portland Timbers owner and CEO Merritt Paulson said he is cautiously optimistic about a stadium expansion plan that would add 4,000 seats to Providence Park, according to a report in The Oregonian. He said the $50 million plan would be privately funded and bring stadium capacity to about 25,000.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Rowdies joining USL next year
The United Soccer League added the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC for the 2017 season. Tampa Bay and Ottawa will join Reno 1868 FC as USL expansion sides next year. Originally established in 1975, the Rowdies were the first professional sports franchise in the Tampa Bay area and remain one of the most recognizable teams in soccer.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BUDAPEST
Bid sponsor roster reaches 12
A total of 12 sponsors have thrown their support behind Budapest’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games to date, according to an Inside the Games report. The companies include Audi, Budapest Airport, Magyar Telekom and budget airline Wizz Air.
LONDON
Spurs chat with Uber on naming rights
Tottenham Hotspur is holding talks with taxi company Uber over naming rights for the club’s new stadium, according to a (London) Independent report. The club is set to complete its $852 million redevelopment of White Hart Lane in 2018 and is looking to sell naming rights for $24 million to $30 million.
LYONNAIS, FRANCE
OL extends with Nutrisens
Lagardère Sports announced a partnership extension between Olympique Lyonnais and nutrition company Nutrisens until June 2017. As the club’s official nutrition partner, Nutrisens will further its collaboration with the OL medical staff.
MADRID
Atlético Madrid sets revenue plan
Atlético Madrid CEO Miguel Ángel Gil announced the club’s plans to increase its annual revenue to $442 million by the 2019-20 season, according to a Marca report. Atlético hopes to bring in $276 million in TV rights and through participation in continental competition, while the remaining $166 million is expected to come from ticketing and commercial activity.
MANCHESTER
Man U rests easy with new partnership
Manchester United reached a five-year global partnership with Mlily, the club’s first official mattress and pillow partner. Mlily will work with staff at the Aon Training Complex, where Mlily mattresses also will be used in the complex’s existing sleeping pods.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
