North America

Organisers of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the world's most famous endurance motor race, have signed a contract with Japanese partners in a bid to promote their image and label globally.

An unidentified group of investors has apparently made the highest initial bid - of around $600 million - for the Washington Redskins, the Washington Post has reported.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, once the exclusive domain of the Indianapolis 500, is expected to add a Formula One race in 2000.

Collective bargaining talks, on hold for nearly two weeks, will resume Thursday in New York with "everything back on the table," deputy commissioner Russ Granik said.

Tony Scotti, who last year sold his controlling interest in the All American TV syndication firm, plans to use his profits to buy the Washington Redskins.

Organisers are considering radical reforms to the Davis Cup on the eve of its centenary in a bid to enhance its appeal and make the top players take it seriously, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has said.

Sixteen locked out NBA stars will stage an exhibition game this month in Atlantic City to raise money for charity and for other NBA players with less deep pockets who may be feeling the pinch of missed paychecks.

Australia will host the third edition of the World Golf Championships Match Play in 2001, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchen has announced.

President Juan Antonio Samaranch has said the IOC would expel members from the organisation if they were found guilty of wrongdoing in the scandal over allegations that votes to win the games are for sale.

Chinese sports officials have waded into the Olympic bribery row, saying Beijing may have been a victim of IOC corruption when it lost to Sydney in the contest to host the 2000 Games.

Billy Payne, who headed up Atlanta's bid for the 1996 Olympics and became chief of its organising committee, has rejected any suggestion that Atlanta paid for votes in its campaign to stage the Games.

Reinforcing its image as South Florida's pre-eminent sports carrier, Barry Diller's local programming station WAMI-TV has bought a six-year exclusive broadcast rights to baseball's Florida Marlins.

An investors group has made an unprecedented bid for the Washngton Redskins franchise according to the Washington Post.

David Stern has opted to go to Aspen for a week, and Billy Hunter is going home for the holidays too, making the chances of a cancelled season more likely than ever.

Internet advertising network 24/7 Media and sports marketing firm American Cities Studios have teamed up to provide specialized advertising for professional sports organizations.

NBA commissioner David Stern has sent a copy of the owners' current proposal directly to every player as well as to union chief Billy Hunter in an effort to end the league's lockout and save the season.