Events

German online sports services saw a short but powerful surge in usage this summer, thanks in large part to coverage of the soccer World Cup, and some momentum has endured.

The National Hockey League's Board of Governor's has approved a five-year, $600 million contract giving the Walt Disney Co.'s ABC-TV and ESPN cable networks rights to air the league's games, sources with knowledge of the board's action said Friday.

The naming deal for Sydney's Olympic Stadium is expected to be worth more than $A30m.

Expectations of a swift counter-attack by a rival bidder to Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB for famed English soccer club Manchester United have faded as two rumoured candidates stepped off the pitch.

China is considering rival bids by three of its largest cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou - to host the 2008 Olympic Games, state media said on Monday.

Victoria (Australia) State Treasurer Alan Stockdale dipped into emergency funds to help pay for the grand prix and Melbourne's 2006 Commonwealth Games bid, according to reports in the Melbourne Herald Sun.

Pete Sampras called for a reduction in tennis tournaments after injuries hit the Eurocard Open.

Jahangir Khan, the record 10-times British Open Squash Champion from Pakistan,has been elected a Vice President of the World Squash Federation (WSF).

British police have said that soccer hooligans are back with a vengeance, smashing up bars, wrecking trains and stabbing rival fans.

Tony Scotti, who last year sold his controlling interest in the All American TV syndication firm, plans to use his profits to buy the Washington Redskins.

Asia has turned world soccer's favourite slogan back at governing body FIFA and asked for "Fair Play, Please."

A formidable army of supporters lined up to back England's World Cup 2006 bid, are claiming that the resignation of F.A. chief executive Graham Kelly would not hurt the nation's chances.

New South Wales Police Minister Paul Whelan has called for cricket hooliganism to be included on the agenda at the next national conference of state police ministers.

China demanded on Tuesday an overhaul of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the methods by which it selected Olympic host cities.

A scandal over Japan's successful bid for the 1998 Winter Olympics has flared up again when a major newspaper reported hard evidence had been found that Nagano spent millions of dollars on lavish entertainment as part of its bidding campaign.

Melbourne is almost certain to host the 2006 Commonwealth Games after its last rival pulled out of the bidding, Victorian state premier Jeff Kennett has said.