North America

The Toronto Maple Leafs have become the first National Hockey League (NHL) team to break the US$1 billion valuation barrier, despite the league’s ongoing lockout saga.

US federal mediators will be brought in to assist in negotiations over a new labour deal between the National Hockey League and the NHL Players’ Association in an effort to break the deadlock between the organisations.

The National Hockey League (NHL) has cancelled yet another slate of regular season games and has axed its 2013 All-Star Game as the lockout saga continues to rumble on.

US Soccer has announced the formation of a new women’s league as officials seek to make it third time lucky in establishing a strong competition that reflects the United States’ leading status in women’s football.

US sports broadcaster ESPN has snapped up exclusive rights for the new college American football play-off system that will replace the Bowl Championship Series (BCS).

News Corporation has furthered its recent heavy investment in sports networks by agreeing a deal to acquire a 49% equity stake in US regional cable-television channel Yes Network.

Experienced sports industry executive Mark Miles has been named CEO of Hulman & Co, parent company of the IndyCar Series, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) and the sport’s media and technology partner IMS Productions.

The National Hockey League and its players’ union will meet again later today in a bid to resolve the labour dispute that has that has threatened to ruin the 2012-13 season.

Formula One rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has revealed he would like to have three grands prix in the United States in the future.

The American city of Miami has been announced as the fifth venue for the International Sailing Federation’s (ISAF) World Cup event.

The National Hockey League’s (NHL) annual Winter Classic has become the latest victim of the bitter labour dispute between team owners and players, with the ice hockey league cancelling one of its showpiece events.

The Tokyo Marathon has become the sixth addition to the elite World Marathon Majors (WMM) and the group’s first member outside Europe and the United States, with the 2012 New York Marathon cancelled in the wake of megastorm Sandy.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has become the latest leading sports organisation to partner with a secondary ticket firm by agreeing a deal with Ticketmaster.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has agreed a multi-year extension to its partnership with the Panini Group in a new deal that is set to have an increased focus on the Chinese market.

Randy Bernard has stepped down as CEO of IndyCar, creating more uncertainty around the future of the US motorsport series.

The English Premier League has secured another cash injection with NBC Sports Group landing its exclusive US media rights for a significantly enhanced fee.

Leading motorsport management company Dorna Sports has secured significant investment through the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s (CPPIB) purchase of a 39% stake in the group.