North America

Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour has predicted victory for South Africa in the fight to stage the 2006 World Cup finals, claiming: "We have 98 percent of the bid approval in the bag."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Sema Group are due to sign their master information technology agreement in New York later today.

Having raised only $200m of the original $250m junk bond available to investors, the Yankeenets plan to finance the purchase of the New Jersey Devils, which is expected after the National Hockey League season ends, could be in jeopardy.

Tickets.com has been named the exclusive online ticket seller for California Speedway. The deal follows recent motor racing ticketing agreements with the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League's first event of the 2000 season, the Delphi Indy 200, as well as a three-year contract to sponsor the Galles ECR Indy Racing League car driven by Al Unser Jr.

Tickets.com to is to provide online ticketing for Ericsson Open in Miami and the Worldwide Senior Tennis Circuit.

A proposal put forward to raise funds for a new Florida baseball stadium by taxing cruise ship tourists has been blasted by two of the biggest cruise liner companies.

George Steinbrenner ? owner of the New York Yankees ? is reported to have made $135m as a result of his team?s business merger with the New Jersey Nets.

American private equity firms and trade buyers, such as the Sports Club Company, are set to make inroads into the booming UK health and fitness club market, according to a report in the Sunday Business newspaper.

Most players in this year's Euro 2000 tournament will have to pay 18 percent of their earnings in tax, tournament officials have announced.

John Kosner has been named vice president of programming and broadband development for ESPN Internet Group (EIG).

Mark Cuban has been given a major boost in his bid to completing the purchase of the NBA?s Dallas Mavericks.

Godolphin, the Dubai-based horse racing training operation, has chosen the Santa Anita racecourse in California as base for its North American training operation.

The San Francisco Giants have seen the move to their new stadium pay off after reporting that 51 of its 81 home games for this season have sold out.

Publicly owned investment holding company, Peacock Financial Corp. has acquired the Bay Area Seals, the professional A-league soccer club of San Francisco, California.

Romania's sports ministry (MTS) has launched an official investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, a ministry spokesman has said.

The last two weeks have shown `significant? signs that England?s World Cup 2006 bid may be leading the field, according to Roger Kelly, England?s 2006 bid spokesman, speaking this afternoon at England?s 2006 presentation at Football Expo in Cannes.