News in brief from The Sports Business Daily

AEG joins K.C. arena effort

Rendering of proposed arena

Anschutz Entertainment Group is ready to contribute $50 million to a new $225 million to $250 million downtown Kansas City arena outlined in plans presented by Kansas City Mayor Kay Barnes. Sprint would contribute $107 million and name the facility, while the National Association of Basketball Coaches would add $10 million. The remainder of the money would come from tax credits, hotel and car rental taxes and event fees. AEG President Tim Leiweke expressed confidence the arena would house either an NHL or NBA team.

Marlins’ ballpark advances

The Florida Marlins moved one step closer to a new retractable-roof ballpark near the Orange Bowl as the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners passed a preliminary term sheet for construction of the $367 million project. The Marlins have pledged $157 million to the project, $127 million of which would come by using rent money to pay off a bond the county would obtain. The city will supply $28 million and the property, while the county will contribute $120 million from a hotel bed tax ($82 million) and a pro sports facilities franchise tax ($38 million).

MLS assigns positions

Gazidis

Major League Soccer assigned Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis to serve as president of Soccer United Marketing’s international division. Other changes included Nelson Rodriguez, former MLS vice president, being named senior vice president of international business, and Joseph Machnik being named director of officiating services.

ABC/ESPN, ACC reach deal

ABC/ESPN and the ACC agreed to a new seven-year deal for football TV rights. Several reports put the deal at $258 million, a $36 million to $40 million annual average. Maryland AD Debbie Yow told the Baltimore Sun that the deal is backloaded, with the conference getting $28 million in the first year and $42 million in 2010.

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