ARLINGTON, TEXAS
CVB picks Huddle Up for strategy
The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau selected Phoenix-based Huddle Up Group to create a strategic plan for sports tourism. The Huddle Up Group will conduct a complete market assessment on the sports tourism efforts of the bureau, followed by an in-person sports tourism and venue evaluation.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Spurs introduce Texas Mutual
The NBA D-League Austin Spurs reached a partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Co. The partnership will include this season and next. Texas Mutual will be the presenting sponsor for the “Fan Code of Conduct,” a video that will play at the start of each home game.
BALTIMORE
Leonsis to launch AFL team
Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis announced that he is bringing an Arena Football League team to Baltimore in 2017, the same time he launches a team in Washington, D.C. The yet-to-be-named Baltimore team will play in 14,000-seat Royal Farms Arena.
Ravens eye $110M in upgrades
The Baltimore Ravens want to update 18-year-old M&T Bank Stadium with $110 million in improvements, including video boards, suites and escalators, according to a Baltimore Sun report. The Maryland Stadium Authority already approved some of the renovations that are to be completed during the offseason. The Ravens and the authority are discussing the other enhancements.
LAS VEGAS
Governor not rushing into road projects
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval said that he wants to take a wait-and-see approach before deciding whether to fast-track at least $899 million in freeway improvements to support construction of an NFL stadium in Las Vegas, according to a Las Vegas Review-Journal report. Sandoval: “I’m hopeful that we’ll know one way or the other in January.”
LONG POND, PA.
Pocono offers weather guarantee
Pocono Raceway will offer a Worry-Free Weather Guarantee to fans that hold a Sunday Grandstand, Club or Suite ticket to either NASCAR Cup Series or Verizon IndyCar Series races in 2017. Fans will be reimbursed if weather forces the postponement of the race and they are unable to make the rescheduled event. All three of the track’s top races had to be moved to Monday this year because of weather.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Wolves, Lynx eating Link’s
Jack Link’s will be the official jerky of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx as part of a new long-term partnership. The deal includes an extensive presence in the skyway, which connects the arena to the rest of downtown Minneapolis, beginning in fall 2017. The brand will also be featured on signs, in social media, in the arena and at community events.
MONTREAL
Canadiens put BioSteel on roster
Toronto-based sports nutrition brand BioSteel entered into a content partnership agreement with the Montreal Canadiens, the company’s first pro hockey deal and second with a sports franchise, joining the Toronto Raptors. BioSteel’s roster of athlete endorsers includes Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin.
 |
NEWARK
Devils’ ‘Squad21’ honors veterans
The New Jersey Devils have a new military recognition program called “Squad21” that will offer active or veteran service members the chance to attend a home game this season. Twenty-one people will be randomly chosen among those registered for each of 21 designated games. Service members and guests will sit in Section 21 at Prudential Center and have a meet-and-greet with star forward Kyle Palmieri (No. 21) after each game.
 |
The displays with variable content zoning measure 14.5 feet high and 35 feet wide.
Photo by: DAKTRONICS |
NEW YORK
Red Storm seeing clearly at Carnesecca
St. John’s University selected Daktronics to design, manufacture and install two new LED video displays inside Carnesecca Arena. The displays are the highest-resolution end-wall displays and the third-largest displays Daktronics has installed in a college basketball venue to feature a tight 6-millimeter line spacing.
Hospital sponsoring squash tourney
The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City signed a one-year deal to sponsor the JPMorgan Tournament of Champions stop on the Professional Squash Association’s world series tour. The hospital will be the official on-site medical provider for the tournament, set for Jan. 12-17 inside Grand Central Terminal.
PHOENIX
PIR powering up with DC Solar
DC Solar was named title sponsor of the Phoenix International Raceway’s spring NASCAR Xfinity Series races in 2017 and 2018. The DC Solar 200 for the coming NASCAR season will take place March 18. PIR will use DC Solar’s mobile solar generator portfolio throughout the property.
SAN JOSE
Quakes go international in GM search
San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval said that the franchise is looking in Latin America as well as Europe for a new general manager, according to a San Jose Mercury News report. The team hired Nolan Partners to assist in the search, and Kaval said that the new hire might become MLS’s highest-paid GM.
TEMPE, ARIZ.
Coyotes, Sun Devils work on shared arena
The Arizona Coyotes and Arizona State University are moving forward with the initial steps for a new hockey arena in Tempe. The Coyotes have entered into an exclusive negotiation agreement with ASU’s facilities district developer, Catellus Development Corp. They will work together on a $400 million, 16,000-seat arena in ASU’s burgeoning district along Tempe Town Lake.
WILMINGTON, DEL.
87ers renew, expand with Comcast
The Delaware 87ers renewed their partnership with The Comcast Network for the 2016-17 season. The Sevens’ collaboration with TCN is just one of five team television partnerships in the NBA D-League heading into this season. TCN is scheduled to broadcast 14 home games this season, up from eight total broadcasts last season, the first year of the partnership.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
 |
MANCHESTER
Man U fourth in world for wages
The Global Sports Salaries Survey revealed that Manchester United pays the highest wages in world football, according to a Reuters report. Average basic first-team pay at the club has been calculated at $7.27 million a year. The club is ranked fourth overall behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Clippers.
Man City signs iTrader.com
Online trading broker iTrader.com will be the official online trading partner of Manchester City. The multiyear partnership will provide iTrader.com with access to marketing rights including access to Man City first team players, use of the club crest, exposure across the club’s social platforms and a permanent presence on the City website.
SÃO PAULO
90min opens Brazil office
Football media platform 90min announced the company’s commercial expansion to Brazil with the opening of the São Paulo office and the appointment of Fábio Sá as country manager. Sá will be responsible for broader business development and strategy in the market. 90min is based in London.
STOKE-ON-TRENT, ENGLAND
Stoke City opens online shop
Premier League club Stoke City launched its new online shop as the first phase of a strategy to create a world-class digital experience for fans, according to a report in The Drum. Stoke City teamed up with sports digital agency Rippleffect to offer its fans an improved online shopping experience.
SYDNEY
2018 Invictus Games awarded
Prince Harry named Sydney as host of the 2018 Invictus Games for injured, wounded and sick armed forces veterans. The event began in London in 2014 and visited Orlando in May ahead of Toronto next year.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
