Japan
Business

Vodafone has signed a new one-year sponsorship agreement with David Beckham, which, the company says, reinforces the continuation of a successful global partnership.
Events

The Asian Cup final between China and Japan has smashed viewing records to become the most watched single sports event in the history of Chinese television.
Business

Major League Baseball chiefs will travel to Japan for talks next month, as speculation mounts the inaugural baseball World Cup may be pushed back 12 months.
Media

IEC in Sports has been appointed to handle the international television distribution for the Korea, Japan and China legs of the Barcelona Asian Tour.
Business

Europe will host the 2009 IAAF World Championships after the final bids to stage the athletics showcase were received by the sport’s governing body.
Sponsorship & Marketing

Japanese giant Dentsu has bought a 30 percent equity stake in Asian marketing company the World Sport Group (WSG).

TWI has been re-appointed to distribute Manchester United Television (MUTV) worldwide for the next three seasons.

Val d’Isere has won the right to host the FIS 2009 Alpine Skiing World Championship.
Business

UEFA will meet with club chiefs next week to discuss whether it should force teams to take part in FIFA’s reborn Club World Championships.
Sponsorship & Marketing

FIFA has confirmed detailed plans for the return of the Club World Championship – and announced a $15m prize pot.
Business

Fresh from its success in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa has turned its attention to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Stadia

UEFA has agreed a deal with NTT Com to deliver an official UEFA.com mobile website in Japan.

Major League Baseball’s attendance figures for the opening week of the new season have rocketed, according to league chiefs.

Plans for a baseball World Cup are on track according to the commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig.
Business

The G14, the lobby group formed of European soccer’s top clubs, has declared war on the world governing body after declaring its members will not compete in the recently revived Club World Championship.

The six nations competing in the first women’s World Cup of baseball have been confirmed.
Business

FIFA has given the green light to the return of the Club World Championship – and approved its CHF141m ($112m) surplus for 2003 as its decision makers met to ratify a raft of recent moves.
Business

FIFA has confirmed the host nation for the return of its controversial Club World Championship – and totally reversed previous announcements stating it would be held in the CONCACAF region.