North America

NBC Universal splashed out US$4.38 billion to acquire the most expensive national broadcast package in Olympic history on Tuesday as the network retained the US broadcast rights to the next four editions of the Games.

Fox threw down the gauntlet to its rivals in the tender for the US broadcast rights to the Olympics on Monday by pledging to bid for a package covering four Games through to 2020.

Molson Coors Canada and the National Hockey League (NHL) have pledged to appeal an Ontario court’s ruling that could jeopardise a record sponsorship deal between the two parties.

Tiger Woods is to part company with IMG after announcing he is staying with Mark Steinberg, the agent who helped to transform the golfer into the world’s first billion-dollar sportsman.

National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner David Stern has expressed confidence a work stoppage can be avoided after the league held the latest set of labour talks with the players’ union on Wednesday.

Tom Gores’ takeover of the Detroit Pistons has been unanimously approved by the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) board of governors.

Winnipeg in Canada is set to welcome back National Hockey League (NHL) action after True North Sports and Entertainment (TNSE) completed a takeover of the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday.

The New York Mets have moved to shore up their financial position by reaching an agreement to sell a $200 million stake in the team to businessman David Einhorn.

Karish Andrews, Senior Associate at Lewis Silkin, on American investors with an eye for cross-border marketing opportunities.

National Football League (NFL) commissioner Roger Goodell has admitted the prospect of game cancellations is drawing closer as the labour lockout continues to rumble on.

Hollywood star Russell Crowe has been credited as the catalyst behind a deal that has seen the National Rugby League (NRL) secure a major broadcast foothold in the United States.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) players’ union filed a complaint of ‘unfair labour practices’ against the league on Tuesday in an effort to prevent a possible lockout when the current collective bargaining agreement expires on June 30.

Dick Ebersol, the long-serving and high-profile chief of NBC’s Olympics programming, has announced his resignation from the network just weeks before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is due to award the US broadcast rights to the 2014 and 2016 Games.

Jamie McCourt, the estranged wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, has asked a court to order the sale of the beleaguered Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise.

Ottawa will host the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship, bringing the event back to the Canadian city for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1990.

The National Football League (NFL) is prepared to make a financial contribution towards a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, according to League commissioner Roger Goodell.