ARLINGTON, TEXAS
Rangers, Fanatics reach multiyear deal
The Texas Rangers and Fanatics Authentic agreed to a multiyear partnership. The deal includes four kiosks at Globe Life Park in Arlington, where Fanatics Authentic will sell and auction memorabilia.
ATLANTA
Braves ballpark to cost taxpayers more
Taxpayers will be responsible for an additional $18.2 million in estimated borrowing costs that have surfaced since the Atlanta Braves’ new ballpark deal was approved last fall, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report. County finance officials plan to roll the borrowing costs into the 30-year public bonds to be issued for the project.
BALTIMORE
Stadium getting new concourse displays
Four new Daktronics displays will be added to the upper concourse at the Baltimore Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium this year. Each display will measure 6 feet high by 22 feet wide and will show fans the same content as the main video displays in the stadium.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS
Levy to feed Aggies in all facilities
Texas A&M University agreed to a contract with Levy Restaurants to oversee food and hospitality operations in all athletic facilities, including Kyle Field, Blue Bell Park and Reed Arena.
HOUSTON
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Aramark will handle all aspects of food service.
Photo by: JEFF O’BRIEN
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Astros, Aramark reach extension
Aramark signed a 10-year extension with the Houston Astros to manage all aspects of food service at Minute Maid Park. The renewal covers concessions, the club level, suites and restaurant dining programs. The Astros spent $1.8 million to upgrade general concessions on the main concourse at the ballpark for this season.
KANSAS CITY
Chiefs, A-B partner through 2020
The Kansas City Chiefs reached an agreement with Anheuser-Busch that will extend their decades-long partnership through 2020. The new agreement expands the partnership to include events beyond Chiefs games.
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Bud will continue to stand tall at Arrowhead.
Photo by: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
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LAWRENCE, KAN.
KU breaking ground on DeBruce Center
The University of Kansas will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new 32,000-square-foot DeBruce Center on Friday near Allen Fieldhouse, according to a Lawrence Journal-World report. The DeBruce Center will become the permanent home of James Naismith’s original “Rules of Basket Ball” document.
MIAMI
Beckham still favors PortMiami site
David Beckham and his investors said an MLS stadium at PortMiami would cost them $50 million more to build than would a venue at other locations, but they still want to pursue the publicly owned waterfront site, according to a Miami Herald report.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Video requirements push stadium cost up
The Minnesota Vikings are putting another $1.2 million into their stadium project for video-related changes the team wanted, bringing the cost to $976.2 million, according to a St. Paul Pioneer-Press report.
NEW YORK
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This rendering shows the layout for Major League Soccer at Yankee Stadium.
Rendering: NEW YORK CITY FC
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NYCFC will play at Yankee Stadium
Incoming MLS expansion team NYCFC will play its first season in 2015 at Yankee Stadium. Deposits on season tickets are being accepted, with the down payment costing $30 for supporters group members, $50 for general seating and $200 for premium seats.
MSG Networks has MLL in HD
MSG Networks reached an agreement with Major League Lacrosse to air 18 regular-season games in high definition on MSG Plus this year. That 2014 schedule includes eight New York Lizards matchups.
ORLANDO
Orlando City SC will debut at Citrus Bowl
MLS expansion club Orlando City SC will play its debut season in 2015 at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. The decision comes after delays in the city’s acquisition of land needed for the club’s new soccer-specific downtown stadium slowed that process, creating the need for a venue for 2015.
PHILADELPHIA
Union aligns with Novo Nordisk
The Philadelphia Union added Novo Nordisk to its list of corporate partners. The MLS club, Novo Nordisk, the American Diabetes Association and Independence Blue Cross are working together to increase awareness of those living with and predisposed to diabetes.
PHOENIX
Fanatics to manage Coyotes retail store
The Phoenix Coyotes agreed to a multiyear deal with Fanatics Retail Group to manage the team’s retail store at Jobing.com Arena. Fanatics Retail Group is the business division of online retailer Fanatics Inc.
PITTSBURGH
Pens sign playoff sponsors
The Pittsburgh Penguins reached agreements with Trib Total Media, AAA Auto Insurance and UPMC to be presenting sponsors of the team’s 2014 postseason. The companies get game presentation integration, social media exposure, radio mentions, website integration, logos, signage in and around Consol Energy Center, and tickets.
Pirates sign FedEx Ground
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a sponsorship agreement with FedEx Ground for the 2014 season that gives the company signage in PNC Park and on-air mentions during radio broadcasts. Also as part of the deal, FedEx Ground will make a $200 donation to the Miracle League of South Hills, Pa., for every stolen base the Pirates record this year.
SAN ANTONIO
Spurs start playoff webcast
The San Antonio Spurs launched a 30-minute pregame webcast called E-Spurs that integrates fan content for the start of the team’s postseason this year. Presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, E-Spurs will stream exclusively on Spurs.com and the team’s mobile app one hour prior to tip-off for every 2014 Spurs playoff game.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BANGALORE, INDIA
Royal Challengers sign Huawei India
Indian Premier League club Royal Challengers Bangalore signed a one-year principal sponsorship agreement with Huawei India, a China-based communications technology company, according to a report in The Hindu. The company has been associated with Arsenal (EPL), Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1) and Canberra Raiders (National Rugby League).
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND
Glasgow 2014 steps back from plan
Commonwealth Games officials backed down from a decision to demolish the Red Road flats as part of the event’s opening ceremony this summer, according to a (Scotland) Daily Record report. Glasgow 2014 chiefs had intended to televise the teardown of five of the six remaining 1960s towerblocks at the July 23 event.
MEXICO CITY
UFC’s White to make announcement
Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White will be in Mexico City on Tuesday to make an official announcement of UFC’s first fight to be held in Mexico, according to a La Aficion report.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Infrastructure budget rises 25%
Brazilian authorities unveiled an infrastructure budget of $10.76 billion for the 2016 Rio Olympics, an amount that is 25 percent more than planned, according to a Reuters report. The budget includes $3.56 billion for a newly added fourth metro line.
SOFIA, BULGARIA
Team to build new national stadium
The Bulgarian Football Union, Bulgarian club Slavia and German investment company IFS signed a preliminary agreement to build a new national stadium in Sofia, according to an Inside World Football report. The facility, with a projected cost of $56 million, will be built on the site of Slavia’s current stadium.
TOKYO
Dentsu gets Olympics marketing role
The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games appointed Dentsu as its marketing agency. Dentsu will provide assistance with the formulation of marketing plans and sponsorship sales for the events.
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