ATLANTA
Fox Sports plans stadium ‘Farewell’
Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast will launch “Farewell to the Ted Driven by Chevrolet” on Sept. 27 as part of the networks’ coverage of the Atlanta Braves’ final six games at Turner Field. Coverage will include interviews with special guests, features on notable Turner Field moments and recaps of fan participation events throughout the final homestand.
CHARLOTTE
Panthers QB fires up food truck
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is launching a food truck called Smokn’ Aces, according to a Charlotte Observer report. The food truck will make its debut Sunday, parked near Bank of America Stadium for the 49ers-Panthers game. Newton said that all proceeds from the first week will go toward a program for at-risk individuals in Charlotte.
DALLAS
Bump 50:50 to conduct raffles
The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation selected Bump 50:50 to conduct 50/50 charitable fundraising raffles at Dallas Cowboys home games at AT&T Stadium, benefiting the Salvation Army. Bump 50:50 is a division of Sportech Racing and Digital.
HOUSTON
Fanatics to run Cougars’ retail
Fanatics reached a multiyear deal with the University of Houston to run the school’s online and on-site retail operations. Fanatics opened up UH’s largest in-stadium merchandise spot, on the concourse inside TDECU Stadium. Fanatics Branded will produce custom gear for UH throughout the year.
LAS VEGAS
Special session needed for stadium issues
A special session of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee needs to be called before the end of 2016 to approve a public-funding deal for an NFL stadium project put forward by Las Vegas Sands, Majestic Realty and the Oakland Raiders, according to a Las Vegas Sun report. Funding needs to be pinned down before stadium backers approach NFL owners in January about moving the Raiders to Las Vegas.
LOS ANGELES
Vin Scully Weekend nears
The first 50,000 fans at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 24 will receive a Vin Scully limited edition commemorative coin. Scully is in his 67th and final season in the broadcast booth. Vin Scully Weekend kicks off with Vin Scully Appreciation Day on Sept. 23. Fan Appreciation Day on Sept. 25 will feature tributes to Scully throughout the day.
NEW YORK
Isles could opt out of Brooklyn
The New York Islanders could leave the Barclays Center after just three seasons if the team triggers an opt-out clause in its license agreement, according to a summary of the pact cited in a Newsday report. The summary also reveals an approximate six-month window for the two sides to renegotiate the 25-year license agreement.
PHILADELPHIA
 |
Flyers captain Claude Giroux wears the team’s 50th anniversary jersey.
Photo by: JOHN GEORGE
|
Gold in season for Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers introduced a new third uniform that the team will wear this season to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. Gold accents featured in the anniversary jersey include numbers on the back and sleeves, a three-color name plate, a gold-outlined crest on the front, and gold captain “C” and alternate captain’s “A” patches. The Reebok jersey will be worn 12 times at home this season, including the team’s home opener.
Trotter, Reese headed to HOF
Former All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and longtime play-by-play announcer Merrill Reese will be inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame this season. The induction ceremony will take place on Nov. 28, when the team hosts the Green Bay Packers.
 |
Since 1932, the Phoenix Open has raised more than $111 million for charities in Arizona.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
|
PHOENIX
Hosts of PGA Tour event raise $9.37M
The Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community, raised $9,369,873 for local charities through proceeds from the 2016 tournament. This is the highest single-year charitable donation in tournament history, breaking last year’s total of $9,060,731.
SAN ANTONIO
Bowl extends Big 12, Pac-12 deals
The Valero Alamo Bowl established new agreements with the Big 12 and Pac-12 conferences to extend their relationships through 2025. The bowl will continue to feature the first choice of teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12 after the College Football Playoff selections.
SAN DIEGO
Tourism leaders oppose tax measures
San Diego hotel and tourism leaders said that they will not support two November hotel tax measures that they say would substantially harm the local tourism industry, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune report. The San Diego Chargers are proposing to finance a majority of their $1.8 billion downtown stadium with hotel tax revenue but would reserve a portion of that revenue for tourism marketing.
TORONTO
 |
UJIRI
|
Raptors shake up titles
The Toronto Raptors and Masai Ujiri completed a new contract while promoting two of his top lieutenants, according to a Toronto Star report. Ujiri, who had been president and general manager, had two years left on his original five-year deal and is now president. Jeff Weltman is general manager and Bobby Webster is assistant general manager and vice president of basketball strategy.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Panel sees Dulles area as stadium site
A panel of top local elected officials at a Northern Virginia summit concluded that if the Washington Redskins were to build a stadium in the state, one of the most likely sites would be in Loudoun County near Dulles Airport, according to a Washington Post report. The plan would likely face local opposition because of worries it would add to congestion.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BOLOGNA, ITALY
Dairy returns to BFC
Italian dairy company Granarolo returned as a partner of Serie A side Bologna FC after a 15-year stint away from the club, according to a SoccerEx report. Granarolo signed a developmental partnership that will see its logo featured on the sleeves of all of Bologna’s youth teams.
HANOI, VIETNAM
UFC Gym plans new location
UFC Gym expanded into Vietnam with a new signature gym in Hanoi. The gym, scheduled to open Oct. 30, will be at Udic Tower in Cau Giay District and serve as the first of several locations scheduled to open throughout the region.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
New fan zones at Anfield
Liverpool FC was set to open two new fan zones at Anfield on Sept. 10 when the club hosted Leicester City. Entertainment begins four hours before kickoff.
LONDON
Arsenal signs 12Bet for Asia
Arsenal FC signed 12Bet as its official betting partner in Asia. This long-term partnership will provide the sports betting and casino company with LED perimeter board exposure at all domestic fixtures played at Emirates Stadium.
ROME
New city could bid for 2028
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said that Italy will bid with a different city for 2028 if Rome’s mayor rejects the capital’s candidacy for the 2024 Olympics, according to an Associated Press report. Renzi: “If the city decides no, it means that for 2028 we’ll bid with another city.”
TOKYO
Intel unit’s staff will double
The Japanese government will double the number of personnel serving in an intelligence-gathering unit aimed at pre-empting and preventing terror attacks, as Tokyo gears up to host the Olympics and Paralympics in 2020, according to a Japan Today report. The unit will be expanded to about 80 people.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
