ATLANTA
Dickey moving to The Battery
Dickey Broadcasting Co. will remain the exclusive radio rights holder for the Atlanta Braves through 2026. In addition, Dickey Broadcasting will move its studios and offices to The Battery Atlanta, leasing loft office space in the new mixed-use development adjacent to SunTrust Park.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Spurs sign VirtuCrypt
The NBA D-League Austin Spurs reached a partnership with VirtuCrypt, a provider of hardened, enterprise-class cloud security services. As part of the multiyear deal with the Austin-based technology company, VirtuCrypt will have its logo on the court at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park and is the official presenting partner of Austin Spurs stats.
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.
Former Jam owner ready for a fight
Former NBA D-League Bakersfield Jam owner Stan Ellis, who sold his franchise to the Phoenix Suns this year, has moved into mixed martial arts with the launch of the Bakersfield Fight Club. Six events are scheduled at the Dignity Health Event Center in 2017.
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BALTIMORE
O’s marking 25th anniversary at park
The Baltimore Orioles introduced a commemorative logo in honor of the 25th anniversary season of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which will be featured on the right sleeve of all game jerseys throughout the 2017 season. The logo features a silver 25 on a brick background within a diamond that includes the ballpark’s name as well as the years 1992 and 2017.
BUFFALO
Sabres signal expiring in Ontario
The Buffalo Sabres three years ago signed a deal with Canadian provider Bell Fibe TV to provide access to games for fans in Ontario, but the team has now gone back over the border and let the deal expire, according to a Buffalo News report. Mark Preisler, Pegula Sports & Entertainment executive vice president of media and content, said both sides chose not to renew the deal.
COLUMBUS
OSU suing CafePress
Ohio State University filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit in federal court in Columbus against Louisville-based online retailer CafePress, according to a Columbus Dispatch report. The lawsuit alleges that CafePress is selling items emblazoned with ‘Buckeyes,’ ‘O-H-I-O’ and pictures of football coach Urban Meyer without authorization. OSU is seeking a permanent injunction and damages in the amount of $1 million for every type of product sold.
GALLOWAY, N.J.
Acer returns to ShopRite LPGA Classic
Acer signed a new deal to return as presenting sponsor of the ShopRite LPGA Classic. The 2017 event will mark Acer’s fifth straight year as presenting sponsor.
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The 118,484 figure is up 25.5 percent over two-day attendance at Keeneland last year.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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LOS ANGELES
Breeders’ Cup breaks attendance mark
The Breeders’ Cup posted a two-day attendance of 118,484 at Santa Anita Park, the highest in the event’s history. A crowd of 72,811 was on hand Nov. 5, the highest single-day attendance since the event went to a two-day format in 2007. Total betting of $159.99 million was up 6.5 percent over last year.
MEMPHIS
Grizzlies schedule speaker series
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Keynote Speaker Series will bring executives and lifestyle entrepreneurs to FedEx Forum for select games to share their success secrets and advise attendees on how to launch their companies. A $79 ticket includes entry into the afternoon keynote, a ticket for the Grizzlies game on the same night and a Grizzlies Spalding notebook.
MIAMI
Stadium revenue up 11 percent
Revenue at the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium was up 11 percent in fiscal 2015, a sign that owner Stephen Ross’ half-billion-dollar investment is already paying dividends, according to a Miami Herald report. Data from Fitch Ratings showed that the stadium is making appreciably more money with 10,000 fewer seats, suggesting the team is cashing in on its luxury products like Hard Rock’s living room boxes and 72 Club.
NEWARK
Devils, iHeartMedia launch digital platform
The New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center reached a partnership with iHeartMedia New York to launch The One Jersey Sports and Entertainment Network, a digital platform featuring all live regular-season Devils games and original Devils and New Jersey entertainment programming.
Devils partner with Wawa
The Devils, Prudential Center and Wawa Inc. reached a multiyear agreement naming convenience store chain Wawa a partner and the official breakfast sandwich of the team and arena. Wawa and the Devils will team up on promotions throughout the year.
ORLANDO
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Magic guard Elfrid Payton tests out the new Fox Sports Florida Shootout Challenge.
Photo by: GARY BASSING
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Magic adds jump shot challenge
The Orlando Magic and Fox Sports Florida teamed up to create an interactive fan experience at Amway Center called the Fox Sports Florida Shootout Challenge. Fans will try to make as many jump shots as possible in 45 seconds. A digital wall uses Kinect gesture detection to track the motion of a fan’s body movement as they attempt to make each jump shot, using their body as the remote control.
PHILADELPHIA
Academy to reveal school theories
YSC Academy, the Philadelphia Union-affiliated private high school, on Tuesday will publicly reveal the theories behind the school, followed by a panel discussion and a viewing party for the U.S. men’s team match against Costa Rica in qualification play for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Villanova signs KeyBank
KeyCorp. signed a multiyear partnership that will make KeyBank the exclusive retail banking partner of Villanova University athletics. KeyBank, which made a big push into the Philadelphia market with its acquisition of First Niagara Financial Group, will be involved in several partnerships including a seat upgrade promotion at men’s basketball games at The Pavilion. KeyBank will also receive multimedia elements.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY
Lagardère plans new office
Lagardère Sports will open a new office to support Borussia Dortmund’s international strategy. Jonathan Webster will lead the new office at the beginning of 2017. Webster now works as senior sponsorship sales manager for Team Marketing.
MADRID
Adviser moves from league to team
La Liga legal adviser Miguel García Caba announced that he is leaving the organization, according to an El Confidencial report. García Caba is joining Real Madrid, where he will direct the club’s legal services.
MANCHESTER
Man City gets into character
Manchester City launched its official Christmas campaign. This year, Pep Guardiola took on the role of referee for a snowball fight between two teams, #CityElf and #CitySanta. The teams are captured in the official photo sporting the club’s two festive jumpers, which are available online and at all official Manchester City stores.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Mercedes drives World Cup of Golf
Mercedes-Benz will be the premium partner and official vehicle of the ISPS Handa World Cup of Golf from Nov. 23 to 27. Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be used for player and key staff transportation, and the brand will be showcased at Kingston Heath Golf Club.
NAILSWORTH, ENGLAND
Wooden stadium planned for Rovers
Zaha Hadid Architects won a contest to design a new sustainable stadium for fifth-tier Forest Green Rovers FC, according to an Architects’ Journal report. The 5,000-seat carbon-neutral scheme for the club will be built entirely from wood — a world first for a football ground. The stadium will be the centerpiece of a planned $125 million Eco Park.
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA
Hill & Knowlton wins Olympic status
Hill & Knowlton Strategies was awarded an 18-month international communications remit for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The firm will activate a media and content communications campaign that will promote Pyeongchang 2018 worldwide.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
