Events

Germany's main state television channels ARD and ZDF said they had pulled out of talks with media group Kirch over the broadcasting rights for the next two soccer World Cups.

Coca-Cola has become the latest big-name company to pull out of talks to land the #45 million sponsorship of Premier League football.

Yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur is set to reap the financial rewards from her epic round-the-world trip with sponsors and advertisers lining up for her services.

Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has resigned his post as vice-chairman of Wembley National Stadium Limited, accusing the FA of failing to back him.

XFL made a solid ratings start at the weekend despite some technical glitches in the coverage.

Troubled sports internet company Quokka Sports will announce its 2000 fourth quarter and year-end financial results at the close of the market on Thursday, February 8, 2001.

Comedian Dennis Miller, who has drawn mixed reviews for his first season of televised gridiron commentary, apparently will be back next fall for more ranting on ABC's "Monday Night Football" broadcast.

Craigie Taylor International, the Surrey based sponsorship and PR agency, has been appointed by Beck?s to handle the PR and exploitation programme of it?s Jaguar Racing and Formula 1 sponsorship in the UK.

Canadian French-language broadcaster RDS has signed a one year local TV contract with the Montreal Expos for a reported $3 million.

The NBA, the WNBA and SportsLine.com, have signed a multi-year global partnership encompassing a variety of strategic initiatives.

KPMG Consulting, provider of Internet integration services, have announced that golfer Phil Mickelson has reached a multi-year agreement with the company to wear the KPMG Consulting brand on the front of his headwear during tournament play and other promotions.

Lucent Technologies has signed a long-term agreement as Title Sponsor of the Tour de las Americas, the Latin American PGA golf tour.

Paris will stage the best Olympics ever if it wins the right to hold them in 2008, the bid organisers said in an official statement.

The concluding session of the first day of the IOC Sports and New Media conference re-emphasised the key values of rights exclusivity, but according to Christopher Murray, Chairman of the Entertainment & Technology Dept of O'Melveny & Myers LLP in Los Angeles: "The web has so radically changed the dynamics of publishing, that with one keystroke anyone can download a CD or video and become a pirate".

A Florida group seeking to host the 2012 Olympics has unveiled plans for an Olympic stadium and village in downtown Tampa at the sites of two public housing projects.

Vertical Alliance, the US-based e-business customer management company, has completed the integration of 18 International Speedway Corporation (ISC)-owned web site communities into one integrated customer management solution.