ATLANTA
Liberty giving Braves tracking stock
The Atlanta Braves are getting their own stock. Liberty Media Corp., the team’s parent company, is creating tracking stocks for each of its three main businesses: Sirius XM Holdings Inc., Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and the Braves. The stocks will be Liberty Braves Group, Liberty Media Group and Liberty Sirius Group. The new stock is expected to begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange in the first half of next year.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Logo moving to front of jersey
The NBA D-League Austin Spurs expanded their partnership with Central Texas Pain Center. The pain relief specialist’s logo will move from the back of the team’s jerseys to a more prominent location on the front. The logo will be visible on the front of both the home and road Austin Spurs jerseys.
BLOOMINGTON, IND.
IU network signs title sponsor
Dayton-based health insurer CareSource signed a deal with Learfield Sports to become the first title sponsor of the Indiana University Radio Network, according to an Indianapolis Business Journal report. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sports marketers estimated the value in the low to mid-six figures annually.
BOWLING GREEN, KY.
New displays for Diddle Arena
Western Kentucky University and IMG College partnered with Daktronics to provide upgrades to Diddle Arena. The company designed, manufactured and installed new LED displays late this summer in time for the coming Hilltoppers sports seasons. Eight displays were installed above seating entrances in the arena.
CHICAGO
Cubs’ ticket prices going up
The Chicago Cubs sent invoices to season-ticket holders and said that the average ticket price next season is going up about 10 percent, according to a Chicago Tribune report. The number of marquee games also has been increased from nine to 14 in the bowl and the bleachers.
DENVER
FanAngel pushes Von Miller campaign
Sports crowdfunding website FanAngel relaunched with a new look and purpose. A new campaign with Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller will benefit Von’s Vision, which provides eyeglasses and eye exams to children. Each week, FanAngel seeks the support of fans who can make a direct donation or Pledge4Play, in which fans pledge money for specific game, score, or performance outcomes.
KANSAS CITY
Royals re-up with 610 Sports Radio
The Kansas City Royals and KCSP-AM, 610 Sports Radio, reached a new four-year agreement to broadcast the Royals through the 2019 season. The station, owned by Entercom Communications Corp., has been the broadcast home of the Royals in the Kansas City area since the 2008 season.
MIAMI
Stadium suite upgrades postponed
Fitting a canopy over Sun Life Stadium will engulf nearly all of the Miami Dolphins’ efforts this offseason as they continue $425 million in renovations, according to a Palm Beach Post report. The canopy, press box elevators and new video boards will be completed in time for the 2016 season, but because of safety concerns renovations in the suites won’t happen until 2017.
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Photo by: MATT DIRCKS
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PHOENIX
Cardinals packing up with Dircks
The Arizona Cardinals reached a new partnership with Dircks Moving & Logistics. The collaboration included setup of August’s training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium. Dircks also partners with Arizona State University athletics and has had past marketing relationships with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Coyotes and Phoenix Suns and Mercury.
SAN DIEGO
Padres installing new LED system
Petco Park will take a step toward energy sustainability this offseason with the installation of Musco’s SportsCluster LED system. In partnership with Cisterra Development, installation will begin at the end of December.
SEATTLE
Sounders shake up owner titles
Seattle Sounders minority owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer will take over majority owner Joe Roth’s role, according to a Seattle Times report. Roth will continue as a minority owner. Hanauer’s new title will be principal owner.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
City extends Grand Prix license
Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, received City Council approval for the extension of its license for the annual event through 2020. The 2016 event will be March 11-13.
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Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt (left) plays poker with fans at casino night.
Photo by: WASHINGTON CAPITALS PHOTOGRAPHY / PATRICK MCDERMOTT
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
Caps, fans roll the dice
More than 400 fans helped Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and the Washington Capitals raise nearly $302,000 for charity at their fifth casino night Nov. 14 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Va. The entire team along with coaches and alumni participated with fans. The money raised will benefit the foundation.
Nationals call for new food concepts
The Washington Nationals are giving local vendors and restaurants the chance to pitch their culinary concepts to be sold at Nationals Park next season. Finalists will be invited to formally present their concession ideas to a panel of judges at Nationals Park in December. The deadline to apply is Friday.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
Ballpark adds BB&T to name
BB&T will assume the naming-rights agreement of Historic Bowman Field. The stadium is now officially known as BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. In 2013, Susquehanna Bank and the city approved a five-year-naming rights agreement for Bowman Field, the home of the Short Season Class A Williamsport Crosscutters. The name change came about because of BB&T’s acquisition of Susquehanna Bank earlier this year.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS
Chinese firm installs solar panels
Chinese clean energy company Hanergy partnered with Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar to provide the club’s stadium with solar panels, according to a SoccerEx report. Hanergy installed 1,725 panels on the roof of AFAS Stadion.
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND
Team owners win libel damages
The owners of League One side Blackpool each won $30,000 in damages after they were defamed by a fan on a website, according to a BBC report. Owen and Karl Oyston sued supporter David Ragozzino over posts on a message board on Another View From the Tower.
DUBAI, U.A.E.
2019 cup riding with Continental
Continental’s tire division will be the official sponsor of the 2019 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup. The rights package includes the qualifiers for the 12 best teams in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, the 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and the AFC 2018 U22 Championship.
JOHANNESBURG
BMW title sponsoring SA Open
BMW is the new title partner of the SA Open Championship. It is also the new official vehicle partner to South Africa’s Sunshine Tour. South Africa’s oldest golf tournament will now officially be known as the BMW SA Open Championship. The tournament celebrates 105 years in 2016.
LONDON
Carlsberg renews with Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur renewed its partnership with Carlsberg, according to a SoccerEx report. The new deal will see the brewer continue as the club’s official U.K. beer partner for an additional three seasons, until 2018. Carlsberg UK will retain its exclusive pouring rights at White Hart Lane.
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND
West Brom signs Air India
West Bromwich Albion signed Air India as the club’s official regional airline sponsor. Air India will be featured on the pitchside LED at The Hawthorns, as well as in the match-day program and other promotional assets at the Premier League club.
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