North America
Down time | Is the NFL suffering a blip, or a more serious decline?
The number of people watching NFL games in stadiums and on television has fallen significantly over the last few years. Richard Clarke assesses whether empty seats and poor ratings are signs of a permanent decline.
Alibaba exec reaches deal for stake in Brooklyn Nets – reports
Joseph Tsai, the executive vice-chairman and co-founder of Chinese e-commerce group Alibaba, has reached an agreement in principle to acquire a 49 per cent stake in the Brooklyn Nets, with a view to taking a controlling interest in the NBA basketball franchise, according to multiple reports.
Biathlete revealed as sole Vancouver 2010 retests transgressor
Slovenian biathlete Teja Gregorin has today (Thursday) been named as the sole athlete that tested positive for banned substances at the 2010 winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, following re-analysis of samples taken during the sporting spectacle.
Super League Triathlon builds in promotion, relegation with new series
Super League Triathlon has announced the formation of a second-tier series that is designed to introduce a promotion and relegation system to its championships.
Reality TV | Behind-the-scenes sports shows proving a winner
Television networks can't get enough of reality programmes that follow the everyday lives of sports stars. Barry Wilner finds out how the USOC and NFL are using the content to generate interest in their live events.
Pebble Beach to stage maiden U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Open returns in 2027
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has announced that Pebble Beach will host its first U.S. Women’s Open in 2023, while the U.S. Open will return to the iconic California course in 2027.
NFL revamps Super Bowl bidding process – report
American football league the NFL has introduced a new model to assign hosting rights for the Super Bowl, according to NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk website.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium lands 2018 MLS All-Star Game
Major League Soccer has announced that the 2018 edition of its All-Star Game will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Georgia home of new MLS franchise Atlanta United and NFL American football team the Atlanta Falcons.
Wasserman adds his expertise to Stats board
US sports technology, data and content company Stats has strengthened its pool of business expertise with the appointment of Casey Wasserman as its newest board director.
World RX to make US debut at Circuit of the Americas
The World Rallycross Championship (World RX) motor-racing series will head to the United States for the first time next year after an agreement was reached for an event to be held at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) facility in Austin, Texas.
NFL sets first with StubHub partnership
American football league the NFL has agreed a multi-year deal with StubHub for the online ticket exchange to become its authorised ticket resale marketplace.
Green Bay Packers, Microsoft team up on accelerator initiative
NFL American football team the Green Bay Packers has partnered with US technology giant Microsoft to launch TitletownTech, an initiative designed to boost economic expansion in Wisconsin’s Fox River Valley area through digital innovations.
Yankees enter esports market with investment deal
The New York Yankees Major League Baseball franchise has entered the esports sector through an investment partnership with Vision Esports, the parent company of the Echo Fox, Twin Galaxies and Vision Entertainment properties.
PGA Tour event relocates to Kentucky
Golf’s PGA Tour has announced that its Barbasol Championship will move from Opelika, Alabama to Nicholasville, Kentucky from next year.
NFL claims first with new Ticketmaster deal
The NFL American football league has extended its long-running partnership with ticket sales and distribution company Ticketmaster, with the new deal set to result in the formation of the first open-architecture, fully digital ticketing system in professional sport.
WNBA’s San Antonio team moves to Vegas
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has approved the relocation of the San Antonio Stars to Las Vegas, with the franchise to begin playing in Nevada from the 2018 season.
Salt Lake City forms Olympic bid committee, IOC ‘disappointed’ by Innsbruck exit
Salt Lake City in Utah, United States, has established a committee to investigate a possible bid for the 2026 or 2030 winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has spoken of its “disappointment” that Innsbruck will not enter the race to host the 2026 Games.
Fanatics launches college sports division
Online sports apparel and merchandise retailer Fanatics has launched a new division that will focus on the US college sports market.