Events
BBC blunders over cricket coverage
UK pay-TV operator BSkyB has won the support of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and commercial free-to-air broadcaster Channel 4 following a run-in with the BBC over televised rights access, sportbusiness.com has learned.
Venevision to distribute TV rights to 2002 world cup
Television distributor Venevision International has been chosen by satellite broadcaster DirecTV to sub-license the rights to the 2002 soccer World Cup in a number of Latin American nations.
US to stay neutral on China’s olympic bid
The Bush administration will remain neutral on Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympics, despite powerful appeals from members of Congress to oppose the proposal on human rights grounds.
Welsh Ryder Cp bid gets planning permission boost
The Welsh bid to host the 2009 Ryder Cup at the Wentwood Hills course received a boost after the local city council awarded the venue planning permission for course enhancements.
Fox Sports launches digital gold
Fox Sports International has launched a new all-sports channel for Central and Eastern Europe.
Prize money at 2003 World Cup to rise five-fold
Prize money at the 2003 cricket World Cup in South Africa will total $5 million, five times the amount at the previous World Cup in 1999 in England.
NBC allows delayed Olympic coverage
US broadcaster NBC has agreed to allow its West Coast affiliates to broadcast delayed primetime coverage of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City.
Mexican sport ratifies budget
The head of Mexican sport, Nelson Vargas of the Comision Nacional de Deporte (Conade), has ratified this year's budget of 727.8million pesos ($80.3m).
TalkSport slams BBC’s ‘anti-competitive’ behaviour
TalkSport, the UK radio station run by former editor of The Sun newspaper Kelvin McKenzie, has filed a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) saying the BBC allegedly abused its dominant position by overpaying for the rights to broadcast sports events on radio.
Triathlon audience to soar
Triathlon will be watched by an estimated audience of 300 million viewers in 2001, according to Sportsworld Media Group, the media and marketing partner in the International Triathlon Union.
Ford renews BSkyB sponsorship deal
Car manufacturer Ford has renewed its broadcast sponsorship for BSkyB’s coverage of the English Premier League for the ninth consecutive season. How to Develop Effective Sponsorship Programmes: A new report from SportBusiness Group:
Microsoft to produce 2002 winter Olympics web site
Microsoft Corp. has announced that its MSN Internet unit will help produce the official Web site for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sport and Broadband: A new report from SportBusiness Group:
Breeders’ Cup to promote European horses
Breeders' Cup officials this week unveiled a plan aimed at boosting familiarity and interest in European horses among American racing fans ahead of this year's multi-million dollar thoroughbred racing card.
US PGA tour hoping for $1bn in TV rights revenue
Tim Finchem, commissioner for golf’s US PGA Tour, is hoping to nearly double the tour’s current TV rights revenue to close to $1billion in the latest negotiations with broadcasters.
RAI profits and viewing figures fall
Italian broadcaster RAI, holder of the country’s television rights to a number of sporting events including the 2004 European soccer championships, the Italian Formula One Grand Prix and the Tour de France, said profits for the year fell to $38million from $65m while revenues rose by 4 percent to $2.3bn.
Goodwill Gmes signs two more sponsors
The organisers of this year’s Goodwill Games in Brisbane have unveiled two new sponsors in the shape of America Online (AOL) and US broadcaster HBO. How to Develop Effective Sponsorship Programmes: A new report from SportBusiness Group:
Brazil bids to host Copa America
The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) said it submitted on Thursday what it believes to be a winning bid to host next month's Copa America soccer tournament after South America's federations vetoed Colombia over concerns of kidnapping and violence.
Walt Disney strikes deal with Tiger Woods
Walt Disney and champion golfer Tiger Woods are believed to have struck a deal calling for Woods to appear in golfing exhibitions on Disney television networks.