BOSTON
WBZ, Hancock extend marathon deal
John Hancock Financial and Boston’s WBZ-CBS extended their partnership on the exclusive broadcast of the Boston Marathon until 2016, according to a Boston Herald report. WBZ has been carrying the marathon for more than 30 years.
BRAMPTON, ONTARIO
CHL franchise in the works
The Central Hockey League signed a letter of intent with a group that will bring an expansion franchise to Brampton, Ontario, for the 2013-14 season. The Brampton franchise would mark the 12th team slated to play in the league. Brampton is a suburb west of Toronto.
HOUSTON
New stadium to keep O’Quinn name
During a groundbreaking ceremony for the University of Houston’s new football stadium, Athletic Director Mack Rhoades announced a $5 million gift from the John O’Quinn Foundation to keep the name John O’Quinn Field at the stadium, according to a Houston Chronicle report.
INDIANAPOLIS
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Taxes would raise $5 million per year, while IMS would contribute $2 million annually.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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IMS seeks state funding
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is seeking state funding as part of a plan for $100 million in track improvements, according to an Indianapolis Star report. Track officials said the plan would create a motorsports investment district to collect existing state sales, income and corporate taxes generated in an area that includes IMS.
MIAMI
Voters to weigh in on stadium project
The Miami Dolphins announced a referendum agreement for voter approval of tax dollars for Sun Life Stadium renovations. The team hopes to get the issue before voters by May 22, when the NFL is expected to pick the host city for the 2016 Super Bowl.
MILWAUKEE
Arena revenue drops in 2012
Operating revenue at the BMO Harris Bradley Center plunged more than 20 percent in fiscal 2012, the result of the NBA lockout and reduced state assistance, according to data cited by a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. Operating revenue for the year that ended June 30 totaled $12.6 million, down from $16.3 million in 2011.
NEW YORK
Arena wants to ‘B’ Green
Barclays Center launched ‘B’ Green presented by National Grid, a fan engagement program designed to inspire arena guests to help the environment. National Grid is the energy partner of the Brooklyn Nets and the natural gas provider to Barclays Center.
PHILADELPHIA
Sixers, tourism group start photo contest
The Philadelphia 76ers and Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. teamed up to launch a photo contest. Fans can win tickets to Sixers home games and hotel packages by taking photos of themselves — wearing Sixers gear — at iconic Philadelphia locations, then posting them to Instagram or at Sixers.com.
Casino title-sponsoring bike race
Parx Casino signed a two-year deal to serve as title sponsor for the Philly Cycling Classic planned for June. The casino is paying $250,000 a year for two years. New Penn Financial, which was the first organization to agree to be a sponsor for the June professional bike race, will pay $100,000 in each of the next two years.
PHOENIX
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Suns continue to push online immersion.
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Suns, Southwest launch loyalty program
The Phoenix Suns, in partnership with Southwest Airlines, launched Club Orange, a loyalty program for the team’s digital fans. Upon registering at fans.suns.com, members of Club Orange can earn points for more than a dozen activities on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other digital services. Points can be redeemed for more than 150 prizes.
SAN ANTONIO
Bowl generated $40M impact
The 2012 Valero Alamo Bowl generated $40 million in total economic impact based on direct visitor spending of $23.4 million for San Antonio in December, according to a survey conducted by Strategic Marketing Services and SportsEconomics. The direct spending from the 33,580 incremental visitors translated into $1.2 million in new tax revenue for the city.
ST. LOUIS
Group hires Goldman for Rams effort
The St. Louis Regional Convention & Sports Complex Authority hired Goldman Sachs to find ways to keep the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report. The contract pays Goldman $20,000 a month, plus no more than $25,000 in total expenses.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Centerplate’s fundraising effort returns
The Fundraising Stand Program will return to Tropicana Field for a 16th consecutive season in 2013. The program is operated by Centerplate, the official hospitality partner of the stadium and the Tampa Bay Rays. The program allows nonprofit group volunteers to play a role in the success of the hospitality at home games and, as a result, earn money to put back into the community.
Commission gathers sports social media
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission has a new initiative that will feature a communitywide sports social media directory. The digital directory houses listings and links to a series of Tampa Bay sports teams, in addition to key channels for events and venues. It’s the first phase of a multistage concept to encompass all of Tampa Bay’s sports social media engagement.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
DUBAI, UAE
First night golf championship held
Golfers were scheduled to play The Track golf course at Meydan in Dubai for the inaugural World Night Golf Championship last week, according to a Gulf News report. The event is aimed at players of different nationalities competing head to head for the title of World Night Golf Champion.
LONDON
Prices down for Champions final
UEFA cut the price of the cheapest tickets for the Champions League final at London’s Wembley Stadium compared with the cost two years ago, according to a Press Association report. UEFA is selling 16,800 tickets for £60 ($95) each. In 2011, the category-four tickets were £150 plus a £26 administration charge.
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Opening ceremony at the 2012 Games
Photo by: AFP / GETTY IMAGES
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London ‘on track’ to balance books
London 2012 organizers said they remain on track to balance the books before the dissolution of the organizing committee this year, although there may be no money left over for the British Olympic Association, according to a London Guardian report. The cash-strapped association would receive the first $7.9 million of any surplus made by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Hotspur to play exhibition
Tottenham Hotspur will play an exhibition match against the Jamaican national team in the Bahamas on May 23 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Nassau Paradise Island. The match will also mark the Bahamas’ 40th anniversary of independence.
NUREMBERG, GERMANY
Second WTA event granted
Germany received a second WTA license to host a tournament in Nuremberg this year, according to an SID report. Nuremberg will take over the license of the WTA International tournament in Barcelona. The clay tournament will take place in the week after the French Open, from June 10 to 15. Stuttgart has the other WTA event in late April.
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