BUFFALO
Sabres move to dynamic pricing
The Buffalo Sabres rolled out a new individual game pricing plan for the 2016-17 season with ticket demand influencing costs. The model was developed through a partnership with Qcue. Each home game is placed into one of three pricing tiers to determine the initial box-office ticket price.
KNOXVILLE, TENN.
Vols honoring Pat Summitt
University of Tennessee football players will wear a commemorative sticker on the backs of their helmets this season to honor the late Pat Summitt, according to an Associated Press report. The sticker includes a capital “P” inside a circle. The “P” is based on how Summitt wrote the letter in her signature.
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Diagram shows Hard Rock Stadium, its surrounding lots, and Uber’s position in the transportation mix. Uber South Florida general manager Kasra Moshkani and Miami Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel at Hard Rock Stadium (below).
Images: MIAMI DOLPHINS
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MIAMI
Dolphins add Uber to transit strategy
The Miami Dolphins signed a partnership with Uber to become the first U.S. pro sports team to integrate the ride-sharing app company’s drivers into a stadium’s transportation mix. The deal creates an Uber lot on the Hard Rock Stadium grounds. Uber is also integrated into the team’s new experiment to offer tailgating services.
HMS overhauls website
Homestead-Miami Speedway is preparing for the Chase for the Sprint Cup by rolling out a responsive website that makes www.HomesteadMiamiSpeedway.com user-friendly across all platforms. The revamped website was upgraded to be compatible with all desktop and handheld devices. The site also features a refurbished ticket information page making it easier for users to scroll, select and buy tickets to Ford Championship Weekend, Nov. 18-20.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.
Pelicans extend PDC with Cubs
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Chicago Cubs signed a four-year extension of their player development contract. The agreement will keep the Pelicans as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Cubs through the 2020 season.
NEW YORK
Yankees seek to refinance
The New York Yankees are seeking to refinance more than $1 billion in debt that went toward building Yankee Stadium, according to a New York Post report. The team borrowed $1.2 billion to build the ballpark, and the annual net debt payment will rise from $73 million this year to
$76 million in 2018.
OXFORD, MISS.
Ole Miss upgrading video displays
The University of Mississippi tapped Daktronics to provide four new LED video displays for Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as part of a campuswide project bringing a total of 11 new video displays to the campus. Seven sports and eight campus facilities will be included in the project.
PHILADELPHIA
Eagles, McDonald’s extend relationship
The Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald’s Restaurants of the greater Philadelphia region reached an extension of their partnership through the 2019 season. This is the third straight season for the pact.
Eagles partner with nonprofits
The Eagles are teaming up with five new Eagles Care partners this season. They are After School Activities Partnerships, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance, Rock to the Future and Summer Search Philadelphia.
Phillies keep BlueClaws on roster
The Philadelphia Phillies extended their player development contract with the Class A Lakewood (N.J.) BlueClaws for an additional four years. The BlueClaws, which have been affiliated with the Phillies since the team’s inception in 2001, will remain the South Atlantic League affiliate of the Phillies through at least the 2020 season.
SARASOTA, FLA.
Grant named for John Saunders
The V Foundation for Cancer Research and Dick Vitale announced a pediatric cancer research grant in memory of John Saunders. Vitale and Saunders were founding members of The V Foundation’s board of directors. The grant will be announced at the 12th annual Dick Vitale Gala on May 12. Saunders, one of ESPN’s most versatile commentators, died Aug. 10.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Caps, Wizards partner with Uber
Monumental Sports & Entertainment reached a multiyear partnership with Uber as the exclusive ride-share partner of the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards and Verizon Center. The partnership includes in-arena signage and experiential marketing opportunities with the Capitals and Wizards.
Arena, teams shop with Giant Food
Giant Food will be the exclusive grocery partner of the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards and Verizon Center. The multiyear Legacy Partnership includes Giant becoming the presenting partner of the Capitals and Wizards Kids Clubs and Verizon Center’s family show series.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.
State supports IndyCar at The Glen
IndyCar will return to Watkins Glen International for the IndyCar Grand Prix each of the next two years. New York state — through its “I Love New York” campaign — will commit $100,000 a year to support The Glen’s promotion of the IndyCar race at the track, which is in the Finger Lakes region.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
ALBANY, THE BAHAMAS
Spurs sail to the Bahamas
Tottenham Hotspur extended its global coaching program into the Caribbean with the formation of a new Super Club in partnership with the Albany resort and Windsor School. Bahamas Tottenham Hotspur will give boys and girls on the island of New Providence ages 6-18 the chance to work with UEFA- and FA-qualified coaches from the club.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Multisport center opens
The $43.5 million Oriam building was delivered on time and on budget, according to a (Scotland) Daily Record report. The building, at Heriot-Watt University, will be used by the Scottish FA, Scottish Rugby, Basketball Scotland, Netball Scotland, Scottish Handball and more.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Main Stand includes Carlsberg Dugout
Liverpool FC’s redeveloped Main Stand at Anfield includes a 2,000-capacity lounge called The Carlsberg Dugout. Carlsberg-branded bars and street food from around the world will create a sports bar atmosphere.
LONDON
West Ham’s Betway deal worth more
West Ham United agreed to extend its partnership with Betway in the biggest sponsorship deal in the club’s history, according to a (London) Evening Standard report. The agreement, thought to be worth more than $13 million a year, is a significant upgrade on the $7.9 million that the club earned on its previous deal.
Lord’s wants fans to stop popping off
Marylebone Cricket Club is imploring spectators at Lord’s Cricket Ground to stop firing champagne corks onto the field of play during matches. Lord’s is the only cricket ground where patrons can bring in their own alcohol, and it has become customary for fans to aim corks onto the pitch.
PARIS
PSG, Qatar tourism group extend
After an initial four-year contract ended June 30, Paris Saint-Germain and the Qatar Tourism Authority agreed to continue their partnership, according to a Le Parisien report. The authority will reportedly pay about $197 million for this season, representing 30 percent of the 2016-17 season’s provisional budget.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
