Events
STATE TO CONTROL THE MCG TRUST
The State Government would effectively take control of the Melbourne Cricket Ground trust under plans aimed at modernising the ground's management.
BLATTER EXPECTING STRONG ENGLISH WORLD CUP 2006 BID
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said that he expected England to present a strong, professional bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals - although Africa was still the logical choice to stage the tournament.
ENGLAND APPOINT PROFESSIONAL REFEREES
England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) has announced the appointment of professional referees for the first time in the sport in the northern hemisphere.
BROADCASTERS TO PAY 5% FEE ON PAY-PER-VIEW
Broadcasters who use their new digital channels to sell subscription services, such as pay-per-view sports events, will have to hand over 5% of their gross revenues to the U.S. Treasury, the FCC ruled Thursday.
INDIANAPOLIS TO GET F1
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, once the exclusive domain of the Indianapolis 500, is expected to add a Formula One race in 2000.
TICKET SALES HIGHER THAN EXPECTED
Despite the region's economic crisis, ticket sales for the Asian Games in Thailand are higher than expected, an official has said.
TELEPUI CONFIDENT RIGHTS DEAL WILL ENDURE
Pay-TV broadcaster Telepiu says it is confident contracts it signed for the digital rights for seven top Italian soccer clubs are unbreakable even if Rupert Murdoch makes a rival offer.
WEMBLEY WAY SEES SHARES SOAR
Shares in Britain's Wembley Plc soared by 17 percent today after the owners of the home of English soccer received a preliminary bid approach.
FIFA CHIEF’S RUSSIAN VISIT
FIFA President Sepp Blatter will meet soccer chiefs from all 15 former Soviet republics this weekend and may offer them hope of a fairer deal in the transfer market.
EX-GANG MEMBER BECOMES JAPAN SUMO’S NEWEST STAR
From delinquent to dohyo master in six short years, Japan's newest sumo superstar Ryuji Hiroshima has made his mother very proud, and unwittingly become a shining example for the nation's disaffected youth.
PARALYMPICS TV RIGHTS TALKS TAKE NEW TWIST
Australian TV broadcast rights for the Paralympic Games could finally be resolved after it was revealed the ABC was in talks with the organising committee.
SUPER 12 – NO EXPANSION ‘FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS’
The southern hemisphere's Super 12 competition will not be expanded for at least two years, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced.
NBC AFFILIATE, PEPSI GET RIGHTS AT BROWNS STADIUM
The Cleveland Browns expansion football franchise has said it awarded local television broadcast rights to WKYC-TV, the NBC affiliate.
MURDOCH WINS GERMAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RIGHTS
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch, long stymied in the German media market, now has the chance to become a major player thanks to a bold back door deal, predict analysts.
AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES BID TO HOST 2003 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Inspired by the ground breaking success of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in
ESPN BASEBALL BROADCASTS TO HARNESS NEW TECHNOLOGY
ESPN will utilise new bat and pitch speed technology during its Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts this season.
OLYMPIC ‘CHEAP SEAT’ TICKET ROW
The New South Wales Council of Social Service (NCOSS)has complained that lower income earners will be excluded form the Sydney Olympics.
FOX SUE TURNER OVER CABLE SPORTS NETWORK
Fox have sued Turner Broadcasting for setting up a competing cable network to Fox Sports Net South - a move which allegedly violates a non-compete agreement the two media companies signed three years ago.