Media

NBA fans in more than 750 million households around the world will be able to tune into the NBA Finals 2000 featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers.

Specialist internet group Play-Sport New Media has joined forces with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in a new on-line cricket venture to provide an extensive internet network for amateur cricketers and their cricketing communities.

Fox Sports International has agreed to broadcast the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup soccer tournament on Fox Sports owned-and-affiliated cable and satellite services around the world on an exclusive basis, beginning with the 2000 competition.

In a move designed to strengthen its commitment to the growing girls' action sports market, Broadband Interactive Group (BIG) has acquired Chicksticks.com, the action sports Web site designed exclusively for girl surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding enthusiasts.

Internet Sports Network, the applications service provider of web-based games, contests, and promotions, has completed its acquisition of St. Clair Group Investments (SCG), the Toronto-based sports and entertainment media and marketing company.

Europe?s most prestigious national team soccer tournament will be shown live on satellite pay-per-view in US markets at a cost of $19.95 per match.

Online gaming Web site ibetcha.com is to give away $1 million to internet users who ?bet? in its "Extreme $1 Million NBA Challenge".

Italian broadcaster Mediaset and digital TV platform Stream have signed a preliminary accord for the exclusive pay television rights for the 2000-2001 European Champions League soccer games.

Rivals.com has named Patrick Crumb as senior vice president of business development and Michael Smith as vice president of human resources. Kim Leaming was promoted to vice president of marketing.

Sports.com won the prize for the sports and gaming sector at the New Media Age Effectiveness Awards, the annual event for the UK new media industry.

The TVS Television Network, the US-based classic sports archive network, will launch a fulltime sports service by encompassing satellite, cable, and internet delivery as well as non theatrical and home video services.

The FIFA Executive Committee has unveiled a new system designed to allocate tickets for the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

Paddy Power, Ireland?s largest bookmaker, is to launch an online betting service and plans to open betting shops in the UK?s big city centres.

German sports marketing company, Global Sportnet, has extended its rights portfolio by signing a marketing contract with the most successful club in Greek football.

Nigeria will build an ultra-modern stadium in the capital Abuja for the 2003 All-African Games.

Orad Hi-Tec Systems? ?Virtual Swimming World Record Line? was used for the first time during Nine Network?s live coverage of the Sydney Olympic 2000 qualifying swimming trials.