ALLENTOWN, PA.
PPL naming new AHL arena
PPL Corp. reached a naming-rights deal for the Allentown arena that will be the future home of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Under the 10-year agreement, the arena — set to open in the fall of 2014 — will be called PPL Center. The Phantoms, the AHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, currently play in Glen Falls, N.Y., as the Adirondack Phantoms.
BERKELEY, CALIF.
Cal pushes to sell club seats
Slow seat sales at the University of California’s Memorial Stadium prompted the school to launch a fresh marketing campaign, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report. Around 1,000 premium club seats that cost anywhere from $40,000 to $225,000 each remain unsold, the report said.
BRADENTON, FLA.
Pirates reopen spring ballpark
The Pittsburgh Pirates reopened an enhanced McKechnie Field after the completion of the first major renovation of the spring training site since 1993. The centerpiece is a 19,000-square-foot boardwalk spanning the outfield. Updates also include new group areas with enhanced sight lines, expanded restrooms and an enlarged fan plaza.
CHICAGO
SMG will remain at Soldier Field
The Chicago Park District selected SMG to continue managing Soldier Field for at least another 10 years, with five additional one-year extension options. SMG has managed the Chicago Bears stadium since 1994.
CINCINNATI
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The Reds are reportedly using QCue to assist with ticket price adjustments.
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Reds install dynamic pricing
The Cincinnati Reds were slated to introduce dynamic pricing for single-game tickets when seats for the 2013 season went on sale Saturday. The team plans to take a conservative approach to pricing changes, promising that dynamically priced single-game tickets will never move below season-ticket prices.
DALLAS
FC Dallas, TWC reach deal
FC Dallas and Time Warner Cable agreed to a TV broadcast deal that is the most extensive in the MLS club’s 18-year history. TWC SportsChannel will televise 22 regular-season games this year, and the club’s broadcast team will travel to all 17 away matches this season.
HOUSTON
Dynamo staffs new digital effort
The Houston Dynamo launched a social and digital media initiative, the centerpiece of which is a more comprehensive offering of club-related video content. The MLS club formed a 10-person digital content team to manage the video production of daily news and game coverage.
KANSAS CITY
PBR sets another attendance mark
The PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series notched its fifth attendance record of the year over the final February weekend at Sprint Center. The two-day Built Ford Tough Invitational drew 21,000 fans, including a capacity crowd Saturday evening. Historically, more than 2.5 million fans attend PBR live events each year.
MILWAUKEE
Brewers, Miller Lite renew deal
MillerCoors and the Milwaukee Brewers agreed to a multiyear sponsorship renewal that will keep Miller Lite in place as the team’s exclusive beer sponsor. The deal includes the creation of the Miller Lite Party Deck, a 70-seat deck above Miller Park’s right field loge bleachers that will open for the 2013 season. Financial terms of the deal, which is separate from the ballpark naming-rights agreement, were not disclosed.
NEW ORLEANS
Most 2013-14 Hornets tickets cheaper
The New Orleans Hornets next season will reduce prices for 81 percent of tickets, according to a (New Orleans) Times-Picayune report. The season-ticket price reductions range from a high of $2,124 to a low of $50, according to the report. Additionally, 3,748 seats will be reduced by 20 percent or more. The move comes as the franchise rebrands and changes its name to Pelicans starting next season.
NEW YORK
Rangers launch youth platform
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The New York Rangers launched a youth hockey platform called “Go Skate! Playing is the Goal.” The program focuses on improving the youth hockey experience in the region by increasing opportunities and accessibility to the sport through hockey camps, clinics and free skating events.
PHILADELPHIA
Comcast-Spectacor teams with auction
Goldin Auctions is teaming with Comcast-Spectacor Charities for a charitable initiative. The auction house will feature special lots of memorabilia in all of its 2013 auctions to benefit Comcast-Spectacor Charities, the umbrella charity encompassing both Flyers Charities and Global Spectrum Charities.
Soul signs Troy Healthcare
Troy Healthcare signed a sponsorship agreement with the Philadelphia Soul for the 2013 AFL season. The Hazelton, Pa., company is the maker of Stopain, a line of topical analgesic pain relief products. Soul co-majority owner Ron Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and current ESPN analyst, also recently signed a deal to be the national spokesman for Stopain.
Sixers honor legacy players
The Philadelphia 76ers are having three bobblehead giveaways in March as part of the team’s 50th season celebration. A Wilt Chamberlain giveaway was scheduled for Saturday, which was the anniversary of his 100-point night in 1962. Fans will get a Julius “Dr. J” Erving bobblehead on March 16, and Allen Iverson bobbles will be featured at the team’s March 30 game.
PHOENIX
Auramist stays cool at track
Phoenix International Raceway signed a deal with promotional partner Auramist, which sells a range of dry misting fans. Guests attending last weekend’s NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 had opportunities to learn about the Auramist product line at the company’s experiential marketing display in the track’s midway.
Toyota titles series’ U.S. date
Toyota signed on as title sponsor of the Toyota 120 NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series race at PIR this past Friday. The landmark event was the first time that the series had competed in the United States.
RALEIGH
Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon coming to N.C.
The first Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series event in North Carolina will take place in downtown Raleigh in April 2014, according to a (Raleigh) News & Observer report. The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, a division of the city’s convention and visitors bureau, has been working on a five-year contract with race organizers for months.
SANTA CLARA, CALIF.
49ers name solar tech partner
SunPower Corp. was named the exclusive solar technology partner of the San Francisco 49ers and the team’s planned new stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. SunPower solar panels will be featured in three solar array-covered bridges, a solar canopy above the green roof on the suite tower portion of the stadium and over the 49ers’ training facility.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Nats travel packages sell out
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Pitcher Stephen Strasburg signs autographs for fans during spring training workouts.
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Sales of travel packages to Washington Nationals spring training have jumped more than 200 percent over last year, according to a Washington Post report. The packages were sold out by mid-January, and the increase in the number sold is greater than any other MLB club’s increase, according to the report. The Nationals host spring training at Space Coast Stadium near Melbourne, Fla.
Caps launch social rewards effort
The Washington Capitals are launching a social loyalty program designed to reward fans for engaging with the team via social media and at Verizon Center. The #Caps-PowerPlay program offers giveaways for checking into games via Foursquare, using team hashtags on Twitter and Instagram, and sharing Caps content on Facebook. The initiative was developed in partnership with Activ8Social.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BOLTON, ENGLAND
Wanderers sign Front Row
The Bolton Wanderers signed a three-year consulting agreement with Comcast-Spectacor subsidiary Front Row Marketing Services. Bolton competes in the npower Football League Championship and plays its home matches at Reebok Stadium.
BRASILIA, BRAZIL
World Cup venue nearly finished
The renovation of Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia is nearing completion, according to a Portal 2014 report. The $606 million project ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup will provide the venue with capacity for 71,000 fans. The updated facility is scheduled to open April 21.
CURITIBA, BRAZIL
City wants to expand airport
World Cup host city Curitiba is looking to add a third landing strip to its airport, according to a Portal 2014 report. The city is in discussion with a number of companies to see how much the construction would cost. The leading proposal has come in at $760,000.
DORTMUND, GERMANY
Bundesliga team signs energy firm
Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund signed a sponsorship deal with green energy company LichtBlick. The club will use the company’s green energy brand Stron09 at its stadium, Signal Iduna Park, as well as at its practice facility and its administrative building.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY
Schalke 04 to wear Festina watches
Bundesliga club Schalke 04 signed a two-year deal with Swiss watchmaker Festina that makes the company the club’s official watchmaker. Festina will receive ad space on the video screen at Veltins-Arena and on the club’s website.
MADRID
Real Madrid welcomes Nivea brand
Real Madrid and German-based personal care company Beiersdorf AG agreed to a sponsorship deal designed to promote the La Liga club and the company’s Nivea skin care brand, according to a Reuters report. The agreement will run through the 2015-16 season.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND
Hertz to supply cars at Rugby Cup
Hertz will be the official vehicle supplier of this year’s Rugby League World Cup, scheduled for October and November. A specially branded Hertz van will transport the Rugby League World Cup trophy on a tour leading up to the competition. Semifinal matches are set for Wembley Stadium in London, and the final match will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester.
MUNICH, GERMANY
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The Coke deal will further aid Bayern Munich, which posted its best financial year in 2011-12.
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Coke extends Bayern Munich deal
Coca-Cola extended its 45-year sponsorship deal with Bayern Munich by another three years, according to a Reuters report. No financial details of the agreement were released. Bayern Munich posted its best financial results in 112 years with a profit of $14.6 million for the 2011-12 fiscal year.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Search begins for stadium operator
The Rio de Janeiro state government officially launched the bidding process to find a stadium operator for the new Maracanã stadium, according to a Globo Esporte report. The government indicated that the winner would be announced on April 11. The renovated stadium, which is being updated ahead of next year’s World Cup, is 80 percent finished.
ROME
Sheikh may invest in AS Roma
An Italy-based sheikh has until March 14 to decide whether to invest a reported $66 million in Serie A club AS Roma, according to an ISportConnect report. The club confirmed that a preliminary agreement had been reached with Sheikh Adnan Adel Aref al Qaddumi al Shtewi and his company, NEEP Roma Holding SpA.
SYDNEY
ANZ Stadium to have retractable roof
Sydney’s ANZ Stadium is set to receive a $257 million upgrade featuring movable stands at the northern and southern ends and a retractable roof, according to a Sydney Daily Telegraph report.
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