Media
Business

Media group Vivendi Universal has confirmed that it was in talks with Germany's Bertelsmann about merging their sports rights interests to create a leading pan-European player.
Business

SAIL, the South African sports brands owner, has increased earnings by 48% to R14.86million ($1.89m) for the year ended 31 December 2000, and pushed up headline earnings by 56% to R16.46million ($2.10m) on revenues of R$188million ($23.95m). The company?s net asset value also increased by 205% to R188.6million ($24.02m).
Business

Former fitness trainer to the stars Jake Steinfeld plans to begin a new lacrosse league play in June with backing from a handful of major sponsors and a small U.S. television deal.
Events

Setanta.com, the Irish sports content provider, has signed two contracts worth #1million ($1.45m) with mobile phone companies in Norway.
Events

Malaysia has a raw deal in being forced to stage two Formula One races in six months, triple world champion Jackie Stewart has said.
Events

Malaysian motor racing fans will be able to watch the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix at the Sepang Circuit on STAR Sports? live telecast.
Business

The English Rugby Football Union said it expected profits and cash reserves to double by 2007-2008, as it outlined an eight-year strategic plan to increase investment in the game.
Business

The Nasdaq Stock Market has signed on as the North American presenting sponsor for the Sanex WTA Tour.
Events

NASCAR plans to increase its international television distribution as part of its consolidated international and domestic television package.
Events

Sales of tickets for the Malysian Grand Prix have, so far, disappointed race organisers with the price of a ticket likely to be reviewed by the country?s sports minister if sales do not pick up.
Business

i-Cable, Hong Kong?s dominant cable operator, expect its subscribers to grow from 520,000 to 548,000 by the end of 2001 on the back of its acquisition of World Cup 2002 and the recently secured English FA Cup soccer.
Events

ABC Sports has gone inhouse for Don Ohlmeyer's replacement as producer of ``Monday Night Football,'' tapping Fred Gaudelli, producer of ``Sunday Night Football'' on ABC's sister network ESPN.
Media

Debt-ridden English third division side Hull City's football league future now looks more secure after Leeds United commercial director Adam Pearson resigned his position to take over as chairman and chief executive of the club.
Events

Digital audio company, Radio First, has entered into a five-year agreement with British Sky Broadcasting to broadcast, regionally, Radio First?s network of football club-related digital radio stations on Sky digital.
Business

Fanball.com, the fantasy sports media company, has signed agreements with several radio stations across the USA to provide its ?Million Dollar Bracket Madness? game to the stations' listeners.
Business

Talks between Canal Plus and RTL over the merging of the two companies? sports rights units are ?ardently, to be concluded as soon as possible,? according to Canal Plus CEO Pierrre Lescure.
Media

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has guaranteed that key matches during World Cup 2002 will be available to free-to-air viewers, including the opening game, the semi-finals, the final and all matches involving national teams.
Events

South Korea plans this week to discuss cultural and sports exchanges with North Korea - including sharing of some 2002 World Cup soccer matches.