Events

UK independent pay-per-view broadcaster u>direct has secured exclusive UK TV rights to two `Challenge Series? of one-day cricket internationals between Australia and South Africa.

American General, a leading US financial services organisation, and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) have signed a multi-year marketing partnership, making American General a sponsor of the WNBA.

European Rugby Cup Limited (ERC) and ISL Worldwide have mutually agreed to end their relationship with regard to the European Cup and European Shield competitions.

Soccer club Manchester United is understood to be considering hiving off its multi-media division, focused around its manutd.com website, according to a report in the UK?s Guardian newspaper.

FIFA's technical inspection team has given South Africa's bid to host the 2006 World Cup finals an unequivocal thumbs-up on Tuesday after a five-day tour to check the country's readiness.

UK online betting service Bluesq.com has signed a $650,000 deal with sport-only radio station talkSPORT.

CricInfo, the digital cricket information company, is to sponsor the Women's World Cup 2000, which will take place in New Zealand in November and December this year.

Media Content Plc, a sports media rights consultancy whose clients have included the World Wrestling Federation, has bought a stake in a company planning to broadcast sports over the Internet.

The International Automobile Federation has accused the European Union Commission of mismanaging its antitrust investigation and threatened to sue.

Japanese electronics giant Sony has said its PlayStation division has extended its sponsoring of high-profile UEFA Champions League soccer for the next three years.

European soccer governing body UEFA is to examine a possible US-style salary cap to keep under control the spiralling wages of Europe?s top soccer stars.

Nike profits rose 22% in its fiscal first quarter, exceeding expectations, although revenue was virtually unchanged.

ISL, the marketing company which has rights to soccer?s World Cup, the ATP Tour, and a range of other international events, may seek a stockmarket flotation, according to a report in the publication TV Sports Markets.

Broadband Interactive Group (BIG) has strengthened its TV offering, announcing an expanded deal with FOX Sports Net.

A recent research project by Sports Marketing Surveys on the Cricket World Cup has shown how successful sponsorship is amongst cricket fans in creating brand awareness.

The first live webcast of an international football match will take place tomorrow for the European Championship play-off between Scotland and England.