Events

Television scheduling for coverage of Brazil?s domestic soccer leagues has been thrown into chaos following the national government?s announcement that no matches in certain regions of the country could be played after 6pm due to an electricity shortage crisis.

Attendances are down and television ratings have sagged, but Jack Nicklaus believes the US Senior Tour will bounce back.

The BBC could this week win a battle with UK-based pay-TV group BSkyB for the rights to broadcast English international and domestic rugby union matches.

Swiss marketing company ISMM, which went officially bankrupt on Thursday, lacked a deep enough understanding of its sporting contracts which ultimately led to its downfall, according to broadcast and media analysts.

CurzonPacific, the Australian events managment company, will be directing and producing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 9th South Asian Federation Games in Islamabad, Pakistan in October.

Racecourse and media group Arena Leisure Plc said today its Go Racing consortium had signed sufficient UK racecourses to advance with its plans to control TV rights for horse racing in Britain.

Swedish international television agency IEC in Sports has acquired the worldwide TV rights for two IAAF Athletics meets in Japan ? the IAAF Grand Prix in Osaka on May 12 and the IAAF SuperMeet in Yokohama on September 15, 2001.

NBC is expected to announce that the XFL won't be returning to the network's lineup next year, according to US reports.

The Arena Football League (AFL) has entered into a partnership with Ignite Sports Media for the re-launch of the AFL's and arenafootball2's web site.

FIFA is preparing to take control of the handling of its World Cup 2002 and 2006 marketing rights after ISL failed in a Swiss court to postpone bankruptcy proceedings.

Cable operator NTL has confirmed it was part of a consortium of British pay TV groups bidding for the English soccer pay-per-view rights for which the company abandoned an exclusive bid last year.

Sponsors have warned Australia?s Wests Tigers rugby league side that deals worth around A$1m ($480,000) per year may be reviewed after a week which saw three stars fallen and fans staying away.

Jacques Rogge, a Belgian surgeon who has won a reputation for fixing the pains and strains of organising Olympic Games, on Monday joined the race for world sport's most powerful job - the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presidency.

Australian Swimming has launched a plan to lift the sport?s everyday profile.

Brazil's soccer authorities teamed up with the legendary Pele and the government on Tuesday to reorganise the sport amid a swirl of corruption allegations and dwindling public interest.

Australia?s Brisbane City Council officially approved the $A280m (US$143m) upgrade for Lang Park stadium on Wednesday.