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Coast to Coast

Coast to Coast

AKRON, OHIO
Tressel, students developing app

Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel in his new job at the University of Akron has been overseeing a group of students developing a mobile phone application, according to an Akron Beacon Journal report. The application provides resources from other students for a variety of categories such as health and fitness and career choices. Tressel is the university’s vice president of strategic engagement.

ALLENTOWN, PA.
IronPigs, Phillies extend affiliation

The Philadelphia Phillies extended their player development deal with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for four years. The Class AAA IronPigs began play at Coca-Cola Park as a Phillies affiliate in 2008, and the team has led Minor League Baseball in overall attendance each of the last three seasons.

ANN ARBOR, MICH.
Regents OK stadium marquee project

The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the Michigan Stadium marquee project, according to a Detroit Free Press report. The marquee will cost $2.8 million, and construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013. The marquee will be 27 feet high and 48 feet long.

ATLANTA
Braves hall offers cellphone tours

Visitors to the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame now have the option of a free cellphone tour. Broadcaster and Atlanta Braves hall of famer Pete Van Wieren provides the voice of the tours, taking listeners through 14 stops of the museum. The free cellphone tours are available by dialing a special number assigned to the museum.

BATON ROUGE, LA.

The expansion, to be completed by summer 2014, will push capacity at Tiger Stadium to almost 100,000.
Photo by: LSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Tiger Stadium funding approved
Louisiana officials approved $75 million in privately funded borrowing to expand LSU’s Tiger Stadium, according to a Baton Rouge Advocate report. The improvements focus on the south end zone of the stadium. Plans call for the addition of 65 suites over two levels, 3,000 stadium club seats, 1,500 upper deck seats and additional standing-room-only space.

BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
Agency selected for SWAC, events

Agency French/West/Vaughan was selected to handle marketing communication for the Southwestern Athletic Conference along with its annual basketball tournament in Garland, Texas, and football championship in Birmingham, Ala. The SWAC is headquartered in Birmingham.

BUFFALO
Sabres help roll out mammography bus

The Buffalo Sabres Alumni, Erie County Medical Center Lifeline Foundation and First Niagara Financial Group unveiled a bus that will convey two digital mammography machines to underserved women in Western New York. With a combined $750,000 contribution, the clinical operations of the bus will be managed by Western New York Breast Health.

CLEVELAND
Team encourages smart trip planning.
Indians aim for easier transportation

The Cleveland Indians are trying to make fan transportation to games at Progressive Field easier for the remainder of the season. The club has launched indians.com/planyourtrip, featuring maps illustrating parking options along with public transit, alternative transport, restaurant and hotel information. In addition, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has introduced a Family Fare of $10 round trip for home weekend games. The fare allows two adults and up to four children to ride.
 
Browns select telecom provider
The Cleveland Browns and DCT Telecom Group agreed to a five-year deal in which DCT will become the preferred provider of telecommunications services for the club. As part of the deal, DCT gains exclusive naming rights of the Legends Club at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Browns, Skyview expand partnership
The Browns expanded their broadcast partnership with Skyview Networks. Skyview, which specializes in play-by-play broadcast systems, will provide its satellite distribution service to supplement its existing software used by the Browns. Skyview also will offer its F.A.S.T. Web automation product for use by the team’s radio network.

COLUMBUS
MLS Business Summit scheduled

The 2012 MLS Business Summit will be held in Columbus Sept. 12-13. Preceding the two days of meetings is the U.S. national soccer team’s World Cup qualifying match against Jamaica at Crew Stadium, on Sept. 11.

DETROIT
Tigers planning ¡Fiesta Tigres!

The Detroit Tigers are scheduled to host the seventh annual ¡Fiesta Tigres! Celebration, sponsored by Miller Lite, on Saturday to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino players. Current Tigers players with Hispanic or Latino heritage will be honored as part of the celebration. Former Tiger and three-time All-Star infielder Carlos Guillen will be among those players honored and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

EVERETT, WASH.
NLL Stealth renews arena lease

The Washington Stealth and Comcast Arena agreed to terms on a five-year lease that will keep the Stealth in the facility through the 2017 season. The NLL Stealth moved to Washington state prior to the 2010 season after spending six seasons in San Jose.

FARGO, N.D.
Cullen foundation gives $1M to hospital

The Cullen Children’s Foundation, started in 2003 by Minnesota Wild player Matt Cullen and his wife, Bridget, donated $1 million to the Sanford Health Foundation. The gift aims to create a hockey-themed, 3,000-square-foot Cully’s Kids Area space at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.
Water polo names official defibrillator

Zoll Medical Corp., a manufacturer of resuscitation devices, has partnered with Huntington Beach-based USA Water Polo to designate the Zoll AED Plus with Real CPR Help as the official automated external defibrillator of the organization. One of the first clubs to be equipped with a unit is the 2012 U.S. Olympic water polo team, which brought an AED Plus with them to the London Olympics.

KANSAS CITY

Ticket offer includes $10 for concessions or merchandise.
Royals ready for Social Media Night
The Kansas City Royals and Fox Sports Kansas City are scheduled to hold the team’s first Social Media Night at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday. Fans who follow the Royals’ official Twitter feed, @Royals, or who “like” the Royals’ official Facebook page can purchase a ticket package to watch the Royals play Cleveland that evening. In addition, throughout the game, @Royals will encourage fans to use the Twitter-specific #SocialMediaNight hashtag.

LOS ANGELES
Stadium prepares for Trekkie invasion

The Los Angeles Dodgers will present the first Star Trek Night at Dodger Stadium on Friday. The night will celebrate the Blu-ray debut of “Star Trek: The Next Generation — Season One.” Fans can purchase a ticket package for $33 that includes a seat in the Coca-Cola
All-You-Can-Eat-Pavilion and a limited edition Dodger and Star Trek-themed T-shirt.

Dodgers say ‘Hello’ to fans again
The Dodgers are teaming with Sanrio for a second Hello Kitty giveaway this season. The first 30,000 fans in attendance for the team’s Sept. 5 game against San Diego will receive a Hello Kitty tote bag. The first giveaway was a Hello Kitty mini-bobblehead on July 1. This is the second consecutive year the Dodgers have partnered with Sanrio, which produces the Hello Kitty character, for collectible co-branded giveaway items.

NEW YORK
Barclays, UA sponsoring inaugural match

Barclays and Under Armour will be title and presenting sponsors of the inaugural Barclays New York Cup powered by Under Armour. The game features the New York Red Bulls hosting EPL club Tottenham Hotspur at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., on Tuesday.

‘Hello Brooklyn’ campaign continues
Brooklyn Nets stars Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, and Gerald Wallace are featured in the new phase of the “Hello Brooklyn” marketing campaign that launched last week in Brooklyn. The multifaceted campaign is designed to introduce the players to the borough and enable fans to learn more about their hometown team.

PHOENIX
Cards offer three-game ticket plans

The Arizona Cardinals again are offering two “Protect the Nest” three-game ticket plans, according to an Arizona Republic report. The plans involve pairing a popular game with those that are harder to sell out. The three-game plans start as low as $90 per seat, plus facility fees.

D-Backs propose stadium change
The Arizona Diamondbacks are proposing that ownership of Chase Field be transferred from Maricopa County to Phoenix, a change that would give the club more control of the ballpark and significantly increase the D-Backs’ bottom line, according to an Arizona Republic report.

D-Backs giving $50K to Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish Arizona will receive a $50,000 grant from the Diamondbacks as part of the team foundation’s Grand Slam Awards. In addition, Make-A-Wish America will match the D-Backs’ $50,000 donation for a total donation of $100,000 to Make-A-Wish Arizona. Make-A-Wish Arizona has created a “Summer of Wishes” campaign with the goal of providing 280 wishes by Aug. 31.

ROCHESTER, N.Y.
Campaign includes giant golf balls

A campaign called Golf Balls on Parade has been created to support the local community’s hosting of the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club. The effort features 6-foot fiberglass golf balls that will be decorated by local artists, according to a Rochester Democrat & Chronicle report. One hundred balls will be sold to sponsors for $6,000 apiece.

SALEM, ORE.
Storm players spread good will

Alysha Clark and Shekinna Stricklen of the Seattle Storm traveled to Salem on July 20 to put on a clinic at the Oregon National Guard Hoopla three-on-three tournament. The appearance was sponsored by Jamba Juice. Clark and Stricklen ran participants through games and drills and signed autographs.

SAN FRANCISCO
Giants nonprofit picks SportsSignup

SportsSignup was selected as the official registration program of the Giants Community Fund, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with the San Francisco Giants. More than 80 organizations that participate in the Giants Community Fund’s flagship program, Junior Giants, can now offer online registration and volunteer background check software.

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND
IceCaps, Jets extend affiliation

The St. John’s IceCaps and the Winnipeg Jets extended their current affiliation for an additional year. The extension will continue the partnership through the 2014-15 season. The AHL IceCaps sold out all 46 home games in their inaugural season last year at Mile One Centre.

TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Rays letting the dogs in

The Tampa Bay Rays plan to have their first Bark in the Park event at Tropicana Field on Sunday when the team hosts Baltimore. A special seating area is being reserved for dog owners and their pets, and the ballpark’s tbt* Party Deck will turn into the Dog Zone, with product samples, activities, and an SPCA of Tampa Bay pet adoption booth.

YORK, PA.
Revs ready for ‘Star Wars’ immersion

The York Revolution will host Star Wars Night on Saturday when the independent league club takes on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The Atlantic League team partnered for the event with the Capital City Jedi Knights of Harrisburg along with Garrison Carida, the local chapter of the 501st Legion, a national Star Wars costume organization endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. The Revolution will hold a best “Star Wars” costume contest for fans, and the night will end with a “Star Wars”-themed postgame fireworks show.



      COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS


BEIJING
BMW activating with Team China

BMW, a six-year exclusive automotive partner of the Chinese Olympic Committee, held a series of Olympic activities to welcome the 2012 London Olympic Games, according to a China Daily report. In London, BMW and its Mini brand are sponsoring the Chinese fencing and sailing Olympic teams.

CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Airline ties lower fares to medal count

Australian airline Jetstar will offer 120 domestic fares at $12 for every medal the New Zealand team brings home from London, according to a New Zealand Herald report. The Qantas subsidiary will also fly team members from Auckland to Christchurch for a welcome home celebration on Aug. 24.

Korean soccer player Son Heung-Min (right) holds the 2012 Peace Cup trophy with Hamburger teammates, from left: Jacopo Sala, Jeffrey Bruma and Michael Mancienne. The Bundesliga club signed South Korean sponsors Hanwha Solar and Kumho Tires.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
HAMBURG, GERMANY
HSV adds South Korean sponsors

Bundesliga club Hamburger SV, which won the 2012 Peace Cup last weekend in Suwon, South Korea, added two South Korean companies as sponsors, according to a Westfälische Nachrichten report. The team agreed to deals with Hanwha Solar and Kumho Tires. The club’s popularity in South Korea is based largely on 20-year-old striker Son Heung-Min, who joined the German club in 2008.
 
LEEDS, ENGLAND
Tour de France eyes U.K. start

The start of the Tour de France is set to return to Britain, likely in 2014, according to a London Times report. Londoner Bradley Wiggins this year became the first Brit to win the tour in its 99-year history, and race director Christian Prudhomme gave the clearest indication yet that a second British start to the tour is imminent, according to the report. The race previously began in London in 2007.
 
MADRID
Real Madrid finishing team residence

Real Madrid is working overtime to finish a new team residence, according to a Marca.com report. The construction deadline is Aug. 12, which coincides with the team’s return from its U.S. tour. The facility is slated to have 60 bedrooms, with cost of the 75,347-square-foot residence at $20.6 million.
 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
ManU replaces Betfair with bwin.com

Online betting site bwin.com signed a deal to serve as the official betting and gaming partner of Manchester United for its 2012-13 season, according to an igamingbusiness.com report. Bwin will replace Betfair, which had a partnership with Man U for the past three seasons.

MEXICO CITY
NBA deal includes preseason game

The NBA and Zignia Live agreed to a deal that calls for a preseason game in Mexico City this fall. The Oct. 7 game between Orlando and New Orleans will be played at Mexico City Arena. It will mark the NBA’s 18th visit to Mexico City and the league’s 20th game in Mexico overall, the most NBA matchups held in any country outside the United States and Canada.
 
NEW DELHI
WTA tourney set for November

New Delhi is set to host the 2012 India Open at R.K. Khanna Stadium the week of Nov. 5. The WTA Challenger Series event will mark the return of professional women’s tennis to India for the first time since 2008.

XIAMEN, CHINA
NBA to consult on arena design

NBA China and Huahong Investment agreed to a deal through which the NBA will consult on the design and development of a multipurpose arena in a new entertainment district in Xiamen’s Jimei District, according to a China Daily report. The arena in the Fujian province will be developed on 101 acres of land located in the center of the Jimei New City.

Send your Coast to Coast news to: CoastToCoast@sportsbusinessjournal.com or phone (704) 973-1436.


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