ATLANTA
SIAC, NFL team for officiating training
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference signed an agreement that creates additional training and development opportunities for individuals seeking to enter the football officiating profession. The NFL will provide the Atlanta-based SIAC with technical assistance in connection with conference officiating clinics, and the conference will provide officials from the NFL’s Intermediate Development Program opportunities to officiate conference games.
CHICAGO
Runner’s World signs with marathon
Runner’s World signed a three-year deal to become a media partner of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, beginning this year. The 2015 event this month will feature the Runner’s World Stage at the Abbott Health & Fitness Expo at the McCormick Place Convention Center.
CLEVELAND
Cavs add emoji options for texting
The Cleveland Cavaliers launched a free, customized, Cavs-branded emoji keyboard. Powered by developer Snaps, the app is available through Apple’s app store and the Google Play store.
EPA honors team, ballpark
The Cleveland Indians received Gold Level Member Status in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Encouraging Environmental Excellence program. Key to the sustainability program efforts at Progressive Field has been facility provider Delaware North Sportservice, as its partnership with locally based Quasar Energy Group generated enough electricity to power 16 single-family homes for one month; enough natural gas to heat 25 single-family homes for one month; and generated 6,326 pounds of nutrient-rich soil amendment.
COLLEGE PARK, MD.
Group meets to rename Byrd Stadium
The University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium Naming Work Group held its first meeting last week, according to a Washington Post report. The final report from the group, made up of faculty members, students and alumni, is due to school President Wallace Loh by Dec. 11. A coalition of students has long advocated for a new name, arguing that its namesake, former university President Harry Clifton “Curley” Byrd, was a racist and segregationist.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.
USA Water Polo signs RockTape
RockTape joined USA Water Polo as an official sponsor and official kinesiology tape through the 2020 Olympics. RockTape will provide USA Water Polo’s national teams with products to help prevent and treat injuries during training and competition.
IOWA CITY, IOWA
Blake Shelton to headline Kinnick
The University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium next August will host its first concert, as singer Blake Shelton will headline a country music show called the Back Porch Revival. The event will benefit the Native Fund, a new Iowa-focused nonprofit organization formed by Hawkeyes alumnus and former NFL player Dallas Clark.
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NEWARK
Devils will be ‘Relentless’ this season
More than 3,000 fans at New Jersey Devils training camp were introduced to the team’s branding campaign for the 2015-16 season. The effort carries the tag “Relentless,” and the seasonlong campaign will drive both social media and digital assets. It also will be an integral part of the team’s game telecasts on MSG Networks.
NEW YORK
UFC sets event at Garden
The UFC has scheduled its first professional MMA event in New York since the state’s ban in 1997. The event is set for Madison Square Garden on April 23. The UFC filed a claim contending the state’s ban on professional MMA is unconstitutional and plans to ask a judge for a preliminary injunction against the state enforcing its anti-MMA law.
OAKLAND
A’s, resort extend partnership
The Oakland A’s and Cache Creek Casino Resort agreed to a five-year extension of their corporate partnership. The renewal includes the installation of a 13-by-60-foot sign that will be placed adjacent to the north scoreboard at O.co Coliseum. Cache Creek has been the presenting sponsor of both Filipino and Korean heritage nights for the team in past seasons along with having at least two premium giveaways per year. The resort also has been a partner for radio and in-stadium promotions.
PHILADELPHIA
Sixers continue brand effort with ‘1776’
The Philadelphia 76ers unveiled their 2015-16 season ad campaign, titled “Since 1776.” The campaign takes its inspiration from Philadelphia’s historical roots and is part of a larger brand repositioning that began in 2013. The campaign includes TV spots, billboards, digital assets, print ads and ticket art.
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The Sept. 27 crowd was the largest, with fans packing the final straightaway.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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RICHMOND, VA.
UCI event exceeds crowd prediction
The 2015 UCI Road World Championships exceeded attendance expectations, with about 645,000 spectators coming to the cycling event during its 10-day run, according to estimates cited by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The figure is a significant increase over the 2003 event in Hamilton, Ontario, which was the last time the event was held in North America.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
AHL reaches deal with Essensa
The American Hockey League and Essensa, a national group purchasing organization (GPO), agreed to a multiyear partnership. Essensa becomes a sponsor of the AHL Marketing Meeting and AHL Annual Meeting and also will be the official GPO of the AHL. The deal was brokered by Denver-based Impression Sports & Entertainment.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
LONDON
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The 61,000 capacity stadium will be home to two NFL games each season in a 10-year deal.
Image: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
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NFL part of Tottenham’s design
Tottenham Hotspur revealed dramatic new designs from Populous for its new $610 million multipurpose stadium, including four asymmetrical stands and a stadium wrapped in sculptured mesh and glass facade, according to a (London) Daily Mail report. The plans also show three different tunnels, one for football and one each for NFL home and away teams.
Arsenal signs Ethiopian brewery
Arsenal FC signed Ethiopia’s Dashen Brewery as its official beer sponsor. The three-year partnership calls for the EPL club to support the brewery’s community-based initiatives, with coaches taking part in football development programs in Ethiopia.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Yonex named official stringer
Yonex was named the official stringer of the Australian Open. Yonex representatives will be on-site at Melbourne Park for three weeks in January, providing stringing services for every stage of the annual Grand Slam event, beginning with the start of qualifying.
TOKYO
Five sports up for consideration
Tokyo Games organizers recommended five sports be added to the program for the 2020 Olympics: baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing. The final decision on the suggested additions rests with the International Olympic Committee, which will vote on the matter in August.
Sports minister resigns
Japan Sports Minister Hakubun Shimomura, an ally of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, tendered his resignation over the scrapping of plans for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics centerpiece stadium, according to a Reuters report. A Kyodo news report said he additionally would return half his pay for the past six months in atonement.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
