ALLEN, TEXAS
$60M high school stadium opens
Allen High School has opened its $59.6 million Eagle Stadium. The venue has a practice area for boys and girls golf, a 5,800-square-foot wrestling practice area, and massive weight room underneath the stands. In addition, the school sold out its more than 8,000 season tickets for the 18,000-seat football stadium.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS
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Gloops International CEO Yukiharu Tomita (center) presented a $75,000 check to the Ishinomaki baseball team, a contribution that made their participation in a Grassroots Summit possible.
Photo by: TEXAS RANGERS
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Rangers celebrate Friendship Night
The Texas Rangers celebrated Japan America Friendship Night at Rangers Ballpark on Aug. 28. The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation partnered with Gloops International to bring 16 members from Japan’s Ishinomaki youth baseball team to Texas to meet players and participate in a tournament with local youth teams.
BALTIMORE
Orioles fill in on the tarmac
Baltimore Orioles players traded their baseball jerseys for Southwest Airlines uniforms on Aug. 28 to “relieve” airline employees. Pitcher Darren O’Day and designated hitter Chris
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Davis (left) and O’Day toured the cockpit on a break from baggage and service jobs.
Photo by: BALTIMORE ORIOLES
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Davis marshaled in a Southwest Airlines 737, unloaded baggage and greeted customers as they arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Southwest Airlines is the Orioles’ official airline.
BOSTON
Deutsche Bank extends with golf event
Deutsche Bank extended its sponsorship of the Deutsche Bank Championship by four years, through 2016. Deutsche Bank has been title sponsor since the PGA Tour event’s Labor Day weekend debut at TPC Boston in 2003. EMC Corp. also renewed as the local presenting sponsor through 2016.
CHICAGO
Marathon adds $219M to economy
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon contributes an estimated $219.7 million in total business activity to the Chicago economy, according to a new economic impact report. The independent study was conducted by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Regional Economics Applications Laboratory. The study analyzed the 2011 marathon. This year’s event is scheduled for Oct. 7.
DETROIT
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Massive air-conditioning units were hoisted to the Palace’s roof as part of renovations.
Photo by: PALACE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Cool project at the Palace
A 300-ton construction crane lifted two massive rooftop arena air-conditioning condenser units (each weighing five tons) more than 120 feet in the air from the ground to the roof of The Palace of Auburn Hills’ West Atrium on Sept. 1. The installation is part of the arena’s $13 million to $15 million 2012 capital improvements program to be completed in time for the 2012-13 NBA season.
FORT COLLINS, COLO.
CSU partners with KUSA for coverage
Colorado State University signed a regional television partnership with Denver station KUSA, an NBC affiliate. KUSA will air seven CSU football games on its sister station, KTVD. The agreement also calls for KTVD to broadcast 12 weekly programs featuring coach Jim McElwain.
HERSHEY, PA.
Bears unveil new logos
The Hershey Bears have a new series of logos for the 2012-13 AHL season. One mark features a walking bear that was originally represented on the sweaters of the Bears clubs of the late 1930s through the mid-1940s. The logo will adorn the club’s sweaters beginning this season.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.
International class begins semester
Hank Haney International Junior Golf Academy has a fall class representing 25 countries and 22 U.S. states. The new semester began Aug. 16 with junior golfers from six continents. In addition to the United States, countries represented are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Ecuador, Estonia, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Panama, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.
KANSAS CITY
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Baseball-card-topped tables and Royals memorabilia fill the new airport space.
Photo by: KANSAS CITY ROYALS
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Airport eatery gets Royals treatment
The Kansas City Royals opened the Top of the Crown Grill at Kansas City International Airport. The new restaurant is a joint effort between HMSHost and the MLB club.
LOS ANGELES
Marathon picks tech partner for sign-ups
Thousands of distance runners will be able to take to their computers or mobile devices beginning Oct. 1 to register for the 2013 LA Marathon. The marathon’s new technology partner, imATHLETE, is handling the effort. The race event is scheduled for March 17.
MILWAUKEE
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Uecker shares a laugh with Hank Aaron’s wife, Billye, at the statue unveiling at Miller Park.
Photos by: SCOTT PAULUS
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Uecker statue stands tall at ballpark
The Milwaukee Brewers unveiled a statue of hall of fame broadcaster Bob Uecker outside Miller Park on Aug. 31. The 7-foot bronze statue features a smiling Uecker with his hands in his pockets. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, Hank Aaron, Bob Costas and Dick Ebersol gave short speeches.
NEW YORK
Panini, Daily News offer stickers
Panini America is teaming with the New York Daily News for a promotion that will distribute 2.4 million sticker sheets and more than 14
million stickers inside copies of the newspaper’s Sunday editions in September. Copies of the Daily News will include sticker sheets featuring two New York Jets players, two New York Giants players and two players from a Giants/Jets opposing team each week.
Yankees extend flagship radio deal
The New York Yankees signed a one-year extension with WCBS-AM through 2013 to serve as the team’s flagship radio station. WCBS has aired the team’s games since 2002. Announcers John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman are expected to return to the booth next year.
PHILADELPHIA
‘Angry Birds’ goes big
The Philadelphia Eagles teamed with K’Nex Brands to create an oversized version of the Rovio “Angry Birds” game where birds are shot from a slingshot to knock down structures and squash pigs. The Eagles signed a partnership with Rovio earlier this year. Fans were able to try out the newly created game last week at Love Park.
SAN ANTONIO
Silver Stars auction raises $41K
The San Antonio Silver Stars raised $41,200 in support of breast health awareness by way of their annual jersey auction after the team’s game against Tulsa on Aug. 25 at AT&T Center. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Christus Santa Rosa Health Systems Mobile Mammography Unit and Silver & Black Give Back.
SAN DIEGO
SDSU partners with Xerox company
MRC, a locally based Xerox company, agreed to a multiyear deal with San Diego State Athletics. The partnership calls for implementation across multiple sports, launching with the 2012 football season. MRC will have a presence on radio broadcasts of Aztecs football games as well receiving prominent in-stadium signage.
ST. LOUIS
Blues hire agency of record
The St. Louis Blues hired local advertising agency Kuhl/Swaine as their official agency of record. Kuhl/Swaine will craft TV, radio, print and out-of-home messaging for the club. Kuhl/Swaine’s portfolio includes a 10-year client relationship with Bass Pro Shops and its in-store brands.
WILLIAMSPORT, PA.
Crosscutters, Phillies extend deal
The Williamsport Crosscutters and Philadelphia Phillies extended their player development contract for two years, through 2014. The Class A Crosscutters, competing in the New York-Penn League, began their affiliation with Philadelphia in 2007.
WORCESTER, MASS.
DCU Center renovation planned
A $17.5 million renovation and expansion project to the city-owned DCU Center will begin Nov. 1. The city of Worcester selected Consigli Construction Co. to provide construction management services. The 30-year-old SMG-managed arena underwent an initial phase of capital improvements in 2009.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
Team partners with Unleash Solar
A-League club Adelaide United FC reached a deal with locally based solar energy company Unleash Solar to serve as the club’s primary sponsor for the coming season. Adelaide United CEO Glenn Elliott said in a statement: “This is very compatible with our motto of ‘Our Team, Our State’ and our branding as South Australia’s stand-alone team in the Hyundai A-League.”
AUCKLAND
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Recycled “crumbs” from old tires are integral to all-weather sports fields.
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Pacific Rubber supplying sports fields
The increasing popularity of synthetic sports fields is fueling the growth of Auckland-based Pacific Rubber, according to a New Zealand Herald report. Pacific Rubber converts waste tires into rubber crumbs, a key ingredient of all-weather sports grounds. The company reports annual sales growth of 500 percent in the past three years, with its products used in the construction of 25 synthetic rugby, football, hockey and baseball fields across New Zealand, Australia and New Caledonia.
COLOGNE, GERMANY
FC Cologne bond sale surpasses $5M
Bond sales for Second Bundesliga club FC Cologne broke the €$5 million mark, with more than 2,600 fans purchasing one of the club’s bonds, according to a Focus Online report. The report quoted Cologne managing director Oliver Leki: “Our next goal is €[$6.2 million]. This would mean we have reached the level of our 2005 bonds.” The subscription period for the club bonds ends on Oct. 31.
LEAFIELD, ENGLAND
F1 team partners with aerospace group
Aerospace and defense group EADS has joined the Caterham F1 Team as an official partner. EADS comprises Airbus, Astrium, defense and security systems provider Cassidian, and helicopter maker Eurocopter. Caterham F1 is based in Leafield.
LONDON
Tottenham teams with StubHub
StubHub agreed to a three-year deal with EPL club Tottenham Hotspur to be its official secondary ticketing partner. The pact begins with a branding element at White Hart Lane, the club’s home stadium, and ramps up to a full ticket-resale marketplace beginning for the 2013-14 season.
MANCHESTER
‘Mini futures’ available on Man U stock
Investors are buying structured products that profit on gains in shares of Manchester United after the club’s recent initial public offering, according to a Financial Times report. Royal Bank of Scotland issued eight “mini futures” since the club’s U.S. stock issue on Aug. 9. The securities were priced in Swedish krona, Euros and Swiss francs.
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City Kicks offers young fans a place to interact with their favorite team.
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Man City launches kids website
Manchester City launched a website aimed at young football fans as part of a new kids’ membership theme called City Kicks, according to a Marketing Magazine report. City Kicks costs £20 ($32) a year and offers a free seven-day trial. The theme and website were conceived by content marketing agency John Brown, which developed the brand identity.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Crown Casino re-ups with rugby club
Crown Casino signed for a third year as a major sponsor of National Rugby League club Melbourne Storm, according to a Herald Sun report. The renewal is believed to be worth around $1 million.
MUNICH
Hockey club partners with tourism firm
German Hockey League club EHC Red Bull Munich extended its sponsorship deal with Munich-based tourism company FTI for the 2012-13 season. FTI, which has been a partner of the club since 2010, will receive ad space on the ice and on the boards of the Olympic Ice Sport Centre.
NUREMBERG, GERMANY
FC Nuremberg keeps driving Audi
Bundesliga club FC Nuremberg extended its exclusive sponsorship deal with car manufacturer Audi for another three years. The deal includes an extensive ad package as well as hospitality packages. In addition, Audi, which has been a sponsor of the club since 2009, will provide the team with vehicles for use.
Hockey league eyes attendance record
The German Hockey League wants to break the European attendance record for outdoor hockey games with its inaugural DEL Winter Game, according to a Focus Online report. The Jan. 5 game will be played at the Nuremberg football stadium, which has a capacity of more than 50,000. The current attendance record for an outdoor hockey game in Europe is 36,444, which was set for a game in Finland in 2011.
PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL
Hightex, SEPA to build stadium roof
Hightex Group of Germany and its Brazilian construction partner SEPA were selected to plan and build the membrane roof of the Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, according to a Presse Anzeiger report. Beira-Rio is one of the 12 stadiums that will host matches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The contract value of the project is close to €$12.5 million, according to the report.
SÃO PAULO
Coke campaign includes mascot input
FIFA sponsor Coca-Cola is launching its communication plan for the 2014 World Cup with a campaign created by agency Wieden & Kennedy, according to a Meio & Mensagem report. The campaign, developed by the company’s São Paulo office, will allow Brazilians to send suggestions for characteristics that will be adopted in the behavior of the official mascot for the World Cup.
Nicklaus golf academy opens
Senpar, a golf and lifestyle residential developer, celebrated the opening of South America’s first Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf at its Terras de São José II development in the town of Itu on the outskirts of São Paulo. The academy features two indoor-outdoor Jack Nicklaus Coaching Studios, a putting lab and a Ping custom fitting center.
SINGAPORE
StarHub to air Bundesliga through 2015
StarHub TV extended its deal to televise Bundesliga football in Singapore for three more seasons by signing a contract extension with broadcast rights holder DFL Sports Enterprises through the league’s 2014-15 season. The rights package includes live coverage of up to 170 Bundesliga games, the Supercup and weekly match previews.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND
Southampton FC partners with yacht firm
EPL club Southampton FC signed luxury yacht manufacturer Sunseeker International as a new official partner. The club agreed to a three-year contract with Sunseeker, which is based in Poole, 35 miles southwest of Southampton.
VÄXJÖ, SWEDEN
Golfer selling shares of himself
Golfer Alexander Björk is aiming to become the first in the world to sell shares in himself to fund his ambition of joining the European Tour, according to a Reuters report. Björk, from Växjö, currently plays on the Nordea Tour in Sweden. Finance company Trade in Sports is offering to sell shares at 100 Swedish crowns ($15) each in Björk to raise a total of 396,000 crowns ($60,100). Investors will receive 15 percent of any prize money Björk receives.
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