Events
BEWARE OF SOCCER OVER-KILL – SAYS BLATTER
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has called for a soccer-free period to prevent overkill damaging the sport's allure.
NEW BOXING REFORMS AFTER LEWIS/HOLYFIELD FARCE
The New York State Athletic Commission adopted this week reforms bringing boxing promoters, judges and sanctioning bodies under greater scrutiny in response to the controversial Holyfield-Lewis draw decision last March.
SYDNEY TICKETS `$26m OVER BUDGET?
Ticket sales for the Sydney Olympics are $26 million over budget, but organisers only expect 20 per cent of failed applicants to use their credit to apply for other events.
BDS SIGN WEMBLEY DEAL
Independent sponsorship consultancy BDS Sponsorship has been appointed by Wembley National Stadium Ltd to handle the legendary London venue?s `End of an Era? initiatives.
SOCOG GIVE HALF A MILLION TICKETS BACK TO PUBLIC
Sydney's Olympic Games organisers have handed back half a million tickets to the general public, most of which had been secretly siphoned off for premium packages for the wealthy.
BT TO BID FOR PREMIER LEAGUE RIGHTS – REPORT
BT are reported to be set to enter the English soccer TV rights battle.
SKY WIN RYDER CUP RIGHTS
UK broadcaster Sky Sports has won the exclusive live rights to the next two Ryder Cups between Europe and the United States.
ITC QUESTIONS VIVENDI/BSKYB BIDDING POWER
The UK's Independent Television Commission (ITC) has recommended that the equity links between Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB and France's Vivendi, the owners of Canal Plus, should be further investigated.
MADRID PLANS OLYMPIC BID
Madrid mayor Jose Maria Alvarez del Manzano has reiterated his desire for the Spanish capital to bid for the Olympics as soon as feasible.
CANADA TO BID FOR 2003 FIFA WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
Said CSA president Jim Fleming: "We have requested this information from FIFA with a view towards submitting a bid for the 2003 World Youth Championship
FIE SCRAP NEW SCORING TECHNOLOGY FOR OLYMPICS
The International Fencing Federation (FIE) says it has scrapped plans to use new wire-less technology in epee events at the Sydney Olympics.
NORTHERN LIGHT AND IRL EXPAND SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
Northern Light Technology, a leading Internet search engine, and the Indy Racing League have agreed that Northern Light will be the series sponsor of the Indy Racing League.
BANKS STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO FUND BIG-LEAGUE STADIUMS
The Fleet Financial Group in Boston has announced that it will supply a $405m credit line to Major League Baseball.
MURDOCH MOVES ON DEALS FOR MORE L.A. TEAMS
Rupert Murdoch's Fox Group has expanded its sports empire by pushing ahead with an agreement to take a stake in a new arena in Loa Angeles and options in the Los Angeles Lakers basketball and Kings hockey teams.
SWEDISH BROADCASTER SVT CLAIM AGIANST CANAL+
Terrestrial Swedish television company SVT, are claiming damages of 500 000 Swedish Krona ($66,000) from ISPR.
RENOVATION IN STORE FOR BERLIN STADIUM
Berlin's Olympic stadium, built by Adolf Hitler's Nazis to host the 1936 Olympic Games, is to be renovated as a multi-functional sports venue, according to the Berlin city government.
ESPN SIGN PVI FOR VIRTUAL SIGNAGE
Princeton Video Image Inc (PVI) has signed an agreement with ESPN, the international sports broadcaster, to use their virtual advertising system during the 1998 X Games.
TENDERS OPEN FOR DOCKLANDS STADIUM NAMING RIGHTS
The search has started for a company willing to pay to have its name associated with the Docklands Stadium, Melbourne, Australia.