Events

The England World Cup 2006 bidding team believes it has struck a decisive blow after a successful week in the Bahamas lobbying the CONCACAF congress. The votes in the region could be pivotal when the final decision is made in July.

Bids for the new English Premier League broadcast contract must be submitted today, with analysts suggesting the deal could break the #2bn ($3,2bn) mark.

Pay-per-view internet content company Arthur Shaw has signed a four-year deal with web agency Sportstars-direct.com to provide PPV programmes featuring world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

First Entertainment, a leading Multimedia Internet Entertainment Company, will stream live video of the PGA Compaq Classic of New Orleans on the company's F2 Sports Network. The live streaming will take place between May 1 - 7 from the English Tern Golf and Country Club in New Orleans.

Rob Mitchell has been appointed sponsorship manager by the Whitbread Beer Company for UK events the Stella Artois Grass Court Championship, Stella Outdoor Screen Tour and rugby?s Heineken Cup.

Sky Sports has launched its new look sports news and information service to subscribers to its UK digital service ? Skysports.comTV.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union has appointed Media Content, the UK-based agency, to advise on exploiting its media and broadcasting rights.

When tenders for the new Premier League broadcast deals are tabled on April 3rd, UK clubs will be in an even stronger position to secure funds from finance houses against the value of those rights.

Galaxy Latin America has signed a deal to broadcast the Ultimate Fighting Championship to Latin America and the Caribbean on its satellite service DirecTV

Amsterdam and Eindhoven are to ban outdoor television screens for showing matches during the European championship finals in June because they are worried that rival fans will clash.

Single Market Events, organisers of Brand Licensing London, have formed a strategic alliance with Avanstar Communications, organisers of the New York International Licensing Show.

Britain?s biggest Internet service provider, Freeserve, is considering plans to bid for the online broadcast rights for live soccer.

Official sponsor of this summer?s Sydney Olympic Games ? the airline Ansett ? has succeded in forcing the Sydney Organising Committee to not use a well-known song associated with its rival.

The BBC has secured the UK television rights for the European Cup and the European Shield in a four-year deal worth #24m ($45m).

UK broadcaster BSkyB is set to run into legal hot water over an on-going dispute over the broadcast of this year's Ryder Cup tournament.

John Trimble, former senior director of corporate sponsorships for the National Football League Properties, Inc., has been named vice president, world-wide sales, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games/Special Events.