ANN ARBOR, MICH.
Under Armour on UM’s agenda
Talks between the University of Michigan athletic department and Under Armour on an apparel deal have reportedly heated up, according to a Detroit Free Press report. University officials visited UA’s headquarters in Baltimore late last month. Michigan has had a deal with Adidas since 2008.
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From left: Jim Jarosz, M&T Bank regional group vice president for retail banking; Mike Wilson, Pembroke Central School; Hazelton; Lori Gramza, Alden High School; Carol Clark, St. Mary’s School for the Deaf; and Jeremy Barkley, Heim Middle School.
Photo by: BUFFALO BILLS
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BUFFALO
Bills, M&T honor teachers
The Buffalo Bills and M&T Bank honored the seventh annual M&T Bank Touchdown for Teachers program finalists and winner on May 2 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The grand prize — a $2,000 grant and a classroom appearance by a Bills player — was awarded to Scott Hazelton, a second-grade teacher at Forestville (N.Y.) Elementary School.
CHARLOTTE
Hornets look to D-League ownership
The Charlotte Hornets want to own and operate their own franchise in the NBA D-League, according to a Charlotte Observer report. Team executives have contacted seven cities around the Carolinas — Asheville, Fayetteville, Greensboro and Raleigh in North Carolina, along with Charleston, Columbia and Greenville in South Carolina — to gauge interest in being home to a franchise in time for the 2016-17 season.
Hounds draft U.S. Army for season
The U.S. Army signed as a team sponsor of the Major League Lacrosse Charlotte Hounds for 2015. Elements of the partnership include community outreach, promotions, print, social media, fan interaction and signage.
CINCINNATI
Pre-ASG security to cost $1M
The city of Cincinnati expects to spend as much as $1 million on security leading up to the July 14 MLB All-Star Game, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report. The operation will stretch from the Ohio River, which runs alongside Great American Ball Park, to the city’s bridges to the air space above the ballpark.
JOHNSTOWN, PA.
City gets Hockeyville USA game
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning will play a 2015-16 preseason game on Sept. 29 at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown. It’s the result of the city being recognized as Hockeyville USA by Kraft in a marketing promotion. The arena will get upgrades worth $150,000 in preparation for the game.
LOUISVILLE, KY.
Jockeys get upgraded fitness perks
Planet Fitness Louisville and Churchill Downs announced enhanced fitness options for the jockeys who compete at the iconic facility. The partnership includes a renovated on-track facility, called the Jockey Fitness Club presented by Planet Fitness. Jockeys also receive a complimentary membership to the new Planet Fitness at Central Station, located two blocks east of the track.
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From left: Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel; AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson; Dolphins executives Mike Tannenbaum, Jeremy Walls, Nicole Bienert, Todd Kline, Dennis Hickey, linebackers coach Mark Duffner, Jason Miller and coach Joe Philbin.
Photos by: MIAMI DOLPHINS
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MIAMI
Dolphins pack a million meals
The Miami Dolphins, through their Special Teams Driven by Chevy volunteer program, partnered with the AARP Foundation for the second year in a row to pack more than 1 million meals for people over the age of 50 in South Florida. More than 4,000 volunteers, including Dolphins players, coaches and staff, took part in the event at Nova Southeastern University.
PENSACOLA, FLA.
Artist’s jerseys will be auctioned
The Class AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos will wear Guy Harvey-designed jerseys on Saturday to benefit the Pensacola Museum of Art. The jerseys will be auctioned off during the game against the Mississippi Braves. Harvey also will throw out the first pitch.
PHILADELPHIA
Eagles assembling FanWalk
The Philadelphia Eagles are creating an Eagles FanWalk area outside of Lincoln Financial Field that will feature personalized messages in the pavers being incorporated into the design. There are three paver options — from $175 to $360 — and each package includes a certificate of ownership and a replica paver. A portion of proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Eagles Youth Partnership.
Eagles, Axalta sign five-year deal
The Eagles and Axalta Coating Systems agreed to a five-year partnership that will run through the 2019 season. As part of the deal, Axalta and the Eagles will create a program called All-Pro Teachers, which will honor area sixth- through 12th-grade teachers.
Parking rates increasing this season
The Eagles informed season-ticket holders that parking at Lincoln Financial Field will be increasing by $5 per game this year. A prepaid parking pass for the full season is going up to $350 from $300 for all 10 preseason and regular-season games. The fee for parking paid on game days will go to $40 from $35 per game.
RALEIGH
GRSA wins national award
The Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance was named the Sports Tourism Organization of the Year for 2014 by the National Association of Sports Commissions. The GRSA is a division of the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau. The award, in the category of destinations with a population of more than 250,000, was announced at the 23rd annual NASC Symposium in Milwaukee.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
HONG KONG
World Cup cycling event scheduled
Hong Kong will host a round of the International Cycling Union Track Cycling World Cup for the first time next year. The Jan. 16-17 event will take place at the Hong Kong Velodrome.
LONDON
Wimbledon purse tops $40M
Overall prize money at Wimbledon this year is increasing by 7 percent over 2015, according to a Reuters report. The total purse will be $40.88 million, with singles champions pocketing $2.8 million. First-round losers will receive $44,400, a 152 percent rise over the last five years.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
A-League team signs betting partner
A-League club Melbourne City secured Ubet as a major partner for the 2015-16 season. The one-year deal positions Ubet as the official betting partner of the club, and it includes digital integration, signage and exclusive experiential opportunities.
MUNICH
Bayern signs Univision Deportes
Bundesliga club Bayern Munich agreed to a media partnership with Univision Deportes to air the club’s weekly in-season highlight show. The three-hour program showcases highlights from the club’s games as well as player interviews and other behind-the-scenes segments.
QESHM, IRAN
Iran to build F1 circuit
Formula One could be set for a race in Iran, according to a Fox Sports report. The Iranian government announced plans to construct an F1 circuit in Qeshm, an island off the country’s southern coast in the Strait of Hormuz. Dubai is only a few kilometers across the water to the south.
TOKYO
Hoops leagues merging
All 47 clubs of the National Basketball League, National Basketball Development League and bj-league, including expansion teams for the 2015-16 season, are scheduled to join a new men’s basketball league in Japan in 2016, according to a Japan Times report. The new circuit is likely to be called the Japan Professional Basketball League.
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