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From left: Jana Davis of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Holly Bamford of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Kris Hoellen of the National Aquarium, Steve Castorani of North Creek Nurseries, Lou Kousouris of the Baltimore Orioles, Oriole Bird, Ashley Traut of Blue Water Baltimore, Orioles broadcaster Fred Manfra, Collin O’Mara of the National Wildlife Federation, and Michael Frenz of the Maryland Stadium Authority.
Photo by: TODD OLSZEWSKI / BALTIMORE ORIOLES
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BALTIMORE
O’s want to attract more orioles
The National Wildlife Federation and its Maryland state affiliate, the National Aquarium, joined the Baltimore Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority to dedicate a native plant garden at Oriole Park at Camden Yards that’s intended to attract orioles, other local birds and butterflies. The Oriole Garden is part of the wildlife federation’s Grow Together Baltimore program.
BETHLEHEM, PA.
Steel FC signs official pub
Bethlehem Steel FC agreed to a multiyear partnership with Revolutions pub. As an official partner of the USL team, Revolutions will host fan-engagement events throughout the season, including some postgame celebrations featuring Steel FC players.
BRANDON, MANITOBA
Keystone Centre aligns with Spectra
Spectra by Comcast Spectacor’s Ticketing & Fan Engagement division reached a deal with the Keystone Centre to provide ticketing and online marketing services. Keystone Centre is home to the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings, the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba and the Brandon Curling Club.
CHICAGO
Bears sign Paco for Hispanic marketing
Cross-cultural agency Paco Collective signed a deal with the Chicago Bears that calls for it to provide public relations, strategy, content development and community relations work for the team. The goal is to drive Hispanic fan avidity and engagement with the club.
CLEVELAND
Gund selling Cavs stake
Gordon Gund, former majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is selling his current 15 percent stake in the club, according to sources cited in a Bloomberg News report. Gund’s ownership stake has been valued at up to $160 million.
Cavs may split cost of expansion
Cuyahoga County is discussing a proposal in which the Cavaliers would split the $140 million cost of an expansion of Quicken Loans Arena to increase the building’s square footage, according to a (Cleveland) Plain Dealer report. Renovations are projected with the team having placed a bid to host the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
ELKHART LAKE, WIS.
New IndyCar race gets title sponsor
Kohler Corp., a longtime partner of Road America, completed a multiyear deal to be title sponsor of the track’s new IndyCar race. The first Kohler Grand Prix event is set for June 23-26. Indy cars have not raced at Road America since Champ Car was there in 2007. In total, 35 races were run there under CART and Champ Car sanction starting in 1982.
NEW YORK
Cyclones speaking frankly July 3
The Brooklyn Cyclones will change their name to the Coney Island Franks for one night, on July 3, one day prior to the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. The team on that night will wear special uniforms that pay tribute to Coney Island and the frankfurter. In addition, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a special Franks cap to commemorate the one-day name change.
PHILADELPHIA
Student athletes graduate from YSC
Philadelphia Union affiliate YSC Academy celebrated the graduation of 13 young men earlier this month. Twelve of the graduates are advancing to compete at the collegiate level, while one intends to sign a pro contract. The academy was built on the idea that athletes could get an education while continuing to develop their soccer careers.
Eagles set public practice dates
The Philadelphia Eagles will hold two open practices, July 31 and Aug. 14, at Lincoln Financial Field during training camp this year. The practices will be free of charge to attend. The Eagles, as they have for the past three training camps, will hold most of their practices — closed to the public — at the team’s NovaCare Complex near Lincoln Financial Field.
PITTSBURGH
KeyBank to maintain Penguins deal
KeyBank plans to continue First Niagara’s sponsorship of the Pittsburgh Penguins through the 2019-20 NHL season. KeyBank last year announced its intent to acquire First Niagara; the deal is expected to be completed later this year. KeyBank will become the Penguins’ official retail bank and will have upgraded ATMs and new signs throughout Consol Energy Center.
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The chair will remain roped off and always unoccupied to honor American prisoners of war and those missing in action.
Photo by: TERRY O’NEIL
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Team installs POW/MIA seat
The USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds earlier this month unveiled a POW/MIA Chair of Honor as a tribute to prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. The chair will be a permanent fixture in section 107 of Highmark Stadium and will be accompanied by a plaque commemorating the sacrifices made by U.S. troops in service of the country.
SONOMA, CALIF.
Old materials to be new products
TekTailor Inc. publicly launched its new brand, Sonoma-USA, at Sonoma Raceway, building from a partnership that will create one-of-a-kind, locally made products from materials used at the raceway. Sonoma-USA will pick up materials from the track, including outdated banners and signage, and turn them into new products at the company’s sewing facility in Santa Rosa, Calif.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.
Jaguar to have Grand Prix presence
Jaguar Cars North America will sponsor the United States Vintage Grand Prix weekend, one of the largest vintage racing events on the national calendar, Sept. 9-11 at Watkins Glen International. Prerace ceremonies will showcase Jaguar’s racing history, with Davy Jones serving as grand marshal. Jones, who won the 1990 24 Hours of Daytona driving a Jaguar XJR-12, is the lead driving instructor for Jaguar.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BEIJING
Railway extension planned for Games
China will build an extension line of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway that will become operational in 2019 to serve the 2022 Winter Olympics, according to a Xinhua report. With a designed speed of 155 miles per hour, the 33-mile line will lead to the Chongli District of Zhangjiakou City, where most skiing events for the 2022 Games will be held.
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY
Team wearing insurer’s logo
Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen agreed to a new shirt sponsorship deal with insurance company Barmenia Versicherungen. The four-year partnership will run through June 2020. Barmenia’s logo will be featured on the front of the team’s jersey. German football magazine Kicker values the deal at an estimated $6.8 million per season.
LONDON
Wimbledon now on Snapchat
Snapchat signed a three-year deal with the All England Club to share live moments from Wimbledon, including footage from the men and women’s finals, according to a report in The Drum. The social outlet touts having 10 million active daily users in the U.K.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE
Stadium sells rights to telecom
The Stade Vélodrome de Marseille will be renamed Orange Vélodrome for 10 years following a deal between Arema, the group that runs the stadium, and French telecommunications company Orange, according to a CB News report. The deal will also see the deployment of 1,000 Wi-Fi terminals in the stadium with a capacity of 20,000 simultaneous users.
SWANSEA, WALES
U.S. takeover valued at $145M
The takeover of Swansea City in a deal valued at about $145 million has been completed, subject to Premier League approval, according to a BBC report. D.C. United managing general partner Jason Levien and Memphis Grizzlies co-Executive Chairman Steve Kaplan headline the consortium purchasing a controlling stake of 60 percent.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
