North America

The United States Tennis Association said it was disappointed but would accept the decision by the International Tennis Federation that their upcoming Davis Cup tie against Australia be played on hard court.

Ultimate Sports Entertainment, the Los Angeles-based entertainment company with operations in licensing and comic book publishing, have secured a licensing agreement from the Major League Baseball Players Association to market a series of comic books turning Baseball superstars into superheroes.

A European Court of Justice adviser has said the Belgian Judo League had the right to limit which of its members could participate in European and international competitions.

Fox Sports Interactive have secured a full NBA license for their upcoming Pro Basketball video-game title.

Cablevision Systems, owners of the NBA New York Knicks, the NHL New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden, have reported a narrower-than-expected loss, boosted by strength in its cable televsion and programming businesses.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway chief Tony George is reinstating the Indy 500 press credential of a Sports Illustrated writer banned over a critical article he wrote.

Prize money at the US Open tennis championships will be boosted to a record $14.5 million, a $500,000 increase, the United States Tennis Association has announced.

World soccer's governing body FIFA is open to the possibility of North Korea staging matches in the 2002 World Cup finals, which will be jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said.

The Boston Red Sox have denied reports suggesting the team plans to ask for $200 million in state and local aid for their new $545 million ballpark project.

ESPN will utilise new bat and pitch speed technology during its Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts this season.

Michael Jordan's signature brand, launched by Nike in September 1997, will open its first three retail concept shops later this month.

The NFL's 31 team owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Redskins from the Cooke family to communications executive Daniel Snyder for $800 million.

San Diego has been voted as host of the 2003 US Super Bowl.

A group of investors led by golf great Arnold Palmer, film star Clint Eastwood and former baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth is close to a deal to buy the famed Pebble Beach golf resort for as much as $1 billion, according to reports.

The National Football League has said it is comfortable with the number of premium seats sold to date for the proposed new Boston stadium in Foxborough, but people involved in the project said the facility would have fewer corporate suites than originally publicized.

World motor racing body FIA said it is expecting the European Commission's antitrust department to formally outline its objections to the commercial aspects of Formula One and other championships soon.