United Kingdom

England's Premier League football competition has secured a deal for overseas television rights worth #178m ($258m) over the next three years.
Events

Germany's main state television channels ARD and ZDF said they had pulled out of talks with media group Kirch over the broadcasting rights for the next two soccer World Cups.
Business

China has sentenced an activist to two years in a labour camp for urging the International Olympic Committee to use Beijing's bid for the 2008 Games to press Chinese authorities to free jailed democracy activists.
Business

The cash-strapped West African Football Union (WAFU) may have to postpone its regional club cup tournament for the second successive year because most of its 16 member states have failed to pay their subscriptions.
Business

The Australian Rugby Union is hoping to receive a war chest to finance its push into Sydney?s western suburbs when it meets with International Rugby Board chairman Vernon Pugh in Sydney this week.
Business

The British Lawn Tennis Association has unveiled plans for a #20 million ($28.90 million) national tennis centre.
Stadia

Aston Villa have denied suggestions that Villa Park will resemble a "building site" for England's friendly international with Spain on February 28.

The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England, has been selected as the venue for the Davis Cup Euro/African Zone 1 second round tie between Great Britain and Portugal on 6-8 April.
Sponsorship & Marketing

The world's richest soccer club, English Premier League side Manchester United , is the most valuable sports brand in Europe, according to a new survey.
Media

A new Celtic League involving teams from Scotland, Ireland and Wales will start in August, rugby union officials have said.

The introduction of transfer windows will not be popular with English fans, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Sunday.
Stadia

British boxing promoter Frank Warren is reported to be in talks with BBC and BSkyB for a mega TV deal.
Business

Britain's Channel Four has secured the broadcasting rights to the world rally championship.
Business

A London High Court jury on Friday awarded Tottenham Hotspur chairman Sir Alan Sugar #100,000 pounds ($145,000) in libel damages over a newspaper article which described his handling of club affairs as "miserly".

Sky Sports? digital viewers will be able to listen to everything the referee says when it launches Ref-Link for England?s Six Nations rugby clash with Italy at Twickenham, London on Saturday.

Snooker's breakaway row is set to escalate with The Sportsmasters Network (TSN) announcing a rival World Championship.
Media

European sporting website, sports.com, has launched an online betting service in the United Kingdom.
Business

Coca-Cola has emerged as the favourite to become the next title sponsor of English soccer?s Premier League after rivals Pepsi pulled out of the bidding.