AUBURN, ALA.
Auburn softball gets upgrades
Daktronics manufactured and installed a new video display and sound system at Jane B. Moore Field at Auburn University. The softball complex display measures 23 feet high by 29 feet wide and features a Sportsound 500 audio system.
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Renovations for Folsom Field include an indoor practice facility and extra seating on the northeast corner of the stadium.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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BOULDER, COLO.
CU pushes fundraising effort
The University of Colorado is launching a fundraising initiative titled “Drive for $105 million” to help pay off debt and bond payments, according to a Denver Post report. CU, which is spending $156 million on athletics facilities expansion, has raised more than $72 million through private gifts and corporate sponsorships.
CHICAGO
CSN Chicago to air all Fire matches
The Chicago Fire and CSN Chicago reached a three-year regional TV rights deal for the MLS club’s matches, starting this season. The RSN will air 21 Fire matches this year, with coverage including a live 30-minute pregame show.
CINCINNATI
Xavier, Nike extend partnership
Xavier University athletics reached a new five-year deal with Nike that covers all 18 of its intercollegiate sports programs. Xavier men’s basketball has been a Nike program since 2001-02 and was elevated to Nike NTS Promo status in 2010.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.
USA Water Polo applies partnership
Banxblock was named the official sunscreen of Huntington Beach-based USA Water Polo in a deal set to run through 2015. As part of the agreement, Banxblock will supply sunscreen to the USA Water Polo men’s and women’s national teams along with sun-safe editorial content for the NGB’s Skip Shot magazine and monthly e-newsletters.
MIAMI
Heat partners with boutique hotel
The Miami Heat signed a partnership with CGI Merchant Group that runs through the summer of 2016. CGI, a private equity asset management firm, owns a 56-room hotel near AmericanAirlines Arena that is set to undergo a $21 million renovation. The facility ultimately will operate under the name ME by Meliá, which will be the preferred hotel of the team and arena.
NEW YORK
Nets to wear throwbacks
The Brooklyn Nets unveiled a Brooklyn-ized version of the ABA Nets’ classic “stars and stripes” uniform that was worn from 1972-76. The Nets will debut the alternate uniforms March 6 against Phoenix and wear them for four more games this season.
PHILADELPHIA
Sixers, WPEN create new radio show
The Philadelphia 76ers and the team’s radio partner, Greater Media’s WPEN 97.5 The Fanatic, has created an hourlong Sixers radio show called “Sixers in 60.” The program, which features Fanatic hosts Joe DeCamara and Devon Givens, will air 10 times over the remainder of this season.
PITTSBURGH
Penguins, Enterprise combine for deal
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Enterprise Rent-A-Car have teamed up to offer fans 100 PensPoints for each three-day rental during the 2014-15 season. Launched in 2013, PensPoints is a program that rewards fan activity and loyalty.
SALT LAKE CITY
26 RSL games to air locally
Real Salt Lake signed a deal with KMYU-TV that will see 26 of the MLS team’s 34 games air locally in the coming season, according to a Deseret News report. The other eight games are set to broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1 or Univision.
SAN DIEGO
Padres, XEPRS extend through 2016
The San Diego Padres and XEPRS-AM extended their relationship through 2016. XEPRS has been the team’s flagship radio station since 2004.
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The team-funded project will include construction of the new 12 Flag Pavilion.
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SEATTLE
Seahawks to add 1,000 seats
The Seattle Seahawks are planning to add 1,000 seats in the upper level of the south end zone at CenturyLink Field in time for the 2015 season, according to sources cited in a Seattle Times report. The project would bring capacity to just over 69,500 and would cost an estimated $5 million to $6 million. It’s the centerpiece of a project that will be called the Toyota Fan Deck.
ST. LOUIS
Soccer before baseball at Busch
Busch Stadium will host the U.S. women’s national soccer team’s first domestic match of 2015, an April 4 contest against New Zealand. Fox Sports 1 will telecast the match from the home of the MLB Cardinals.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Amtrak helping with Black History Month
For the fifth consecutive year, Amtrak is partnering with the Washington Wizards and will serve as the presenting partner of the team’s Black History Month platform. The partnership will include an in-game feature called This Moment in History presented by Amtrak.
WINNIPEG
MTS Centre project details revealed
Winnipeg Jets ownership group True North Sports & Entertainment unveiled its renovation plans for MTS Centre, a project scheduled for completion this summer. Upgrades include a new center-hung scoreboard featuring four primary screens 2 1/2 times as large as the current displays.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BARCELONA
Four years of fresh feet for Barça
Barcelona FC reached a four-year sponsorship agreement with Brazilian foot deodorant Baruel in which the brand becomes an official sponsor of the club. Baruel is Barcelona’s first Brazilian sponsor.
BREMEN, GERMANY
AB-InBev expands stadium role
Anheuser-Busch InBev Germany will improve and increase its presence at Weser Stadium during the second half of the 2014-15 Bundesliga season as part of its agreement with Werder Bremen.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Anti-pollution effort falling short
Rio de Janeiro State Environment Secretary Andre Correa said that the city will not make good on its pledge of slashing the flow of raw sewage and garbage into the Guanabara Bay, according to an AP report. The bay is where the 2016 Olympic sailing and wind surfing competitions are to be held.
SIVAS, TURKEY
Sivasspor wears new sponsor
Turkish football club Sivasspor struck a shirt sponsorship agreement with health care group Medicana, according to a SoccerEx report. The 1 1/2-year deal sees Medicana become the major sponsor of the Turkish Super Lig club until the end of the 2015-16 season.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND
Sunderland back for seconds
Sunderland AFC signed a new long-term contract extension with hospitality provider Centerplate to continue to provide match-day catering at the Stadium of Light, a role it has played since 1997.
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TOKYO
NTT signs as first 2020 Gold Partner
The Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee selected Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. to become the first official Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner for that year’s Olympic Games. NTT provided telecommunications services for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.
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