BATON ROUGE, LA.
LSU OKs $85M stadium expansion
The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an $85 million expansion of the south end zone of Tiger Stadium, according to a (New Orleans) Times-Picayune report. The project will increase capacity by about 6,900 and be self-sustaining from a $100 million bond issue by the Tiger Athletic Foundation, the athletic department’s fundraising arm.
BOSTON
Arbella aligns with Sox, telethon
Arbella Insurance Foundation will be a partner for the 11th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon, Aug. 21-22 at Fenway Park. In 2011, more than $3.4 million was raised, bringing the 10-year total for the event to nearly $28 million. Arbella will donate $50 for every extra base hit by Boston Red Sox batters this season, up to $50,000.
BUFFALO
Bisons park gets mobile payment app
Fans at Buffalo Bisons games at Coca-Cola Field can now pay for select concessions with their mobile phones via the LevelUp app. The LevelUp offering also includes a built-in rewards program providing fans with savings on ballpark concessions. The Bisons are the Class AAA affiliate of the New York Mets.
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Sabres license plates offered
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is offering a redesigned license plate featuring the Buffalo Sabres. The plates are available to motorists across New York and feature the team’s official logo. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.
CHARLESTON, S.C.
Atlantic Cup goes carbon neutral
The 2012 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing, the first carbon-neutral sailing event in the United Staters, will feature 15 Class 40 yachts from around the globe. The ships will set sail from Charleston on the event’s first leg on Thursday en route to New York Harbor, and a pro-am event is scheduled for next week before departing New York on May 19. The annual event culminates in Newport, R.I., with two days of inshore racing May 26-27.
CHICAGO
Arena eyes new retail development
The owners of the United Center — NBA Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and NHL Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz — hope a $75 million to $85 million retail development soon will take flight, according to a Crain’s Chicago Business report. Documents show that Reinsdorf is leading a venture that plans to build 260,000 square feet of restaurants, bars, a team store and event space in the sprawling parking lot east of the arena.
COLUMBUS
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More than 1,000 fans attended the logo unveiling at Nationwide Arena.
Photo by: JAMIE SABAU / COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
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NHL All-Star logo inspired by flag
The NHL and the Columbus Blue Jackets unveiled the 2013 All-Star Game logo, developed by Frederick & Froberg Design and NHL Creative Services. The logo was modeled off of the Ohio state flag.
DALLAS
FC Dallas gets physical
FC Dallas named Texas Health Resources as the MLS team’s exclusive health care provider. Texas Health Ben Hogan Sports Medicine will offer players medical advice and attention. The collaboration also designates James Walter of Texas Orthopaedics Associates as the new team physician.
KANSAS CITY
Royals add to food offerings
The Kansas City Royals and concessionaire Aramark have introduced a number of new concession areas at Kauffman Stadium this season. New vendors and areas include: Urban Wok, Blue Moose Bar & Grill, Boulevard Pub and Boulevard Grill, Budweiser Patio, Captain Morgan Bar, KC Cantina Taco Truck, and Papa John’s, the new official pizza of the Royals.
MIAMI
Party City partying with Heat
The Miami Heat entered into a multiyear partnership with Party City, making the retailer the official party store of the team and AmericanAirlines Arena. The partnership will consist primarily of multiple in-game features across various forms of arena digital signage.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Ripken Design studying facility proposal
Baltimore-based Ripken Design was selected to complete a two-month feasibility study for a proposed youth baseball complex in Blaine, Minn., north of the Twin Cities. Ripken Design will work with CSL International and LHB Architects to complete the study and site plans. Ripken Design is a division of Ripken Baseball, the venture of brothers Bill and Cal Ripken Jr.
OAKLAND
Raiders donating to public schools
The Oakland Raiders launched a youth and community-based initiative for fans and businesses to assist Oakland public schools. For all new season tickets purchased and paid for in full by June 30, the Raiders will donate 10 percent of the gross ticket purchase price to the Oakland Unified School District.
PHILADELPHIA
Sixers, Flyers sign FM radio deal
The Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers signed multiyear agreements with Greater Media Philadelphia for all Sixers and Flyers games to be aired on the FM dial, on WPEN 97.5-FM The Fanatic. The 76ers and Greater Media will work to build a radio network outside the immediate radio signal areas of 97.5 FM and sister station 950 AM. Several Flyers games will also be broadcast on Greater Media rock station 93.3 WMMR-FM.
PHOENIX
Diamondbacks win business award
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been recognized with the 2012 Arizona Business Leadership Award. The honor salutes the D-Backs’ management and leadership culture and will be presented during a celebration on Thursday at Chase Field. This is the 16th annual ABL award. Past winners include the Mayo Clinic, Jobing.com, Harkins Theatres, Go Daddy and Arizona Public Service Co.
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Lilly medaled in three Olympics. She’s
pictured here with gold from Athens 2004.
Photo by: HEADRUSH CREATIVE
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D-Backs schedule speaker series
The Arizona Diamondbacks are holding a speaker series throughout the season featuring team executives and Phoenix-area business leaders. The series is open to the public and will be held before select Tuesday home games. Each topic will be covered by a moderator and a team of panelists. The next event will be May 22, with Karina Bohn, Diamondbacks senior director of marketing, heading the panel.
SEATTLE
Korrio signs retired soccer star
Locally based Korrio, developer of a sports automation platform for youth soccer, signed Kristine Lilly as an ambassador and spokeswoman. The U.S. women’s soccer star, who retired last year after five World Cups, has headed the Kristine Lilly Soccer Academy since 1995. The academy now will use Korrio for all of its administrative, operational and communications functions.
TORONTO
IndyCar race signs sponsors
The Honda Indy Toronto, racing July 6-8, signed maintenance chain Mr. Lube, communications firm Ortsbo and luxury goods retailer William Ashley. Mr. Lube gains naming rights for the Mr. Lube Indy Lights Paddock, Ortsbo becomes the presenter of the International Media Centre, while William Ashley will return as the official trophy supplier for Izod IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights races.
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The team adopted Boomer two years ago from the York County SPCA.
Photo by: YORK REVOLUTION
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YORK, PA.
Eukanuba sponsoring Boomer
Boomer, the official team dog of Atlantic League York Revolution, has a new corporate partner. Eukanuba Dog Foods will be featured on Boomer’s jersey as he performs nightly on the field, as well as having placement on Boomer’s “Dog-out,” where he greets fans during each Revolution home game.
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