North America

The NBA and TSN, Canada?s most watched sports network, have extended their television agreement for another two years. The new contract will include 26 regular-season games - at least eight featuring Canadian teams - and 18 playoff games.

Vancouver Grizzlies new owner billionaire Michael Heisley has named the management team he hopes will turn around the floundering franchise.

Chicago billionaire Michael Heisley, the chairman and chief executive officer of Heico Holdings, is set to become the new owner of the Vancouver Grizzlies.

The NBA Board of Governors have approved new owners for the Dallas Mavericks, Vancouver Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets.

The Lee Valley Stadium in North London has been chosen as the venue if Britain is awarded the 2005 world athletics championships.

Orad?s IMadGINE virtual advertising system and CyberSport will be used during the Canadian Football League broadcasts over The Sports Network (TSN), Canada?s most watched sports network.

ISL Worldwide has signed Orad Hi-Tec Systems to provide Orad's IMadGINE virtual advertising for the Tennis Masters Series TV coverage. This is the first time that Orad will be providing virtual advertising to an ISL premium event.

Sportsco International, the new owner of the Toronto SkyDome, has signed Usherpro to provide their internet ticketing system for luxury suite and club seat holders.

Canada has announced it is to boost official funding for its impoverished amateur athletes by 50 percent to help them eat and train properly in the run-up to the Sydney Summer Olympics.

Fruit of the Loom is to close its Frankfort, Kentucky, screen-printing and embroidery factory, as part of the Bankruptcy Court-approved wind down of its Sports & Licensing Division.

Ticketmaster Canada has signed an exclusive, long-term ticketing agreement with Sportsco International, owners of Toronto?s SkyDome.

The NBA responded loudly to the refusal of coaches in Sunday's nationally televised game to wear microphones by fining the Seattle SuperSonics and Toronto Raptors franchises $100,000 each.

China has launched Beijing's bid for the 2008 Summer Games under the slogan "New Beijing, Great Olympics."

NBA Entertainment has promoted Scott Levy to the role of senior director, international television.

Rotational signage company ANC Sports Enterprises has launched a new division to broaden its business.

Yazaki North America, a supplier of vehicle power and data solutions to the automotive industry, has expanded its involvement in motor sports through a sponsorship agreement with LC Racing.

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien has unveiled a top-level team, including three senior ministers, to support Toronto's bid for the 2008 Olympic Summer Games.

The 10 cities hoping to host the 2008 Summer Games left International Olympic Committee headquarters this week confident they would all clear the first hurdle in the bidding process.