Media

Online gaming company VIP is calling for global self-regulation of the online betting industry and the creation of a new forum to promote consultation between governments and industry members.

German industry sources have said media group EM.TV was close to completing a deal to obtain a majority stake in Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Administration Ltd.

Kelvin MacKenzie, head of the UK sports radio station Talksport is in talks to buy the newspaper Sport First in a deal that could see the two year-old title valued at more than #15m.

Celtic could soon leave the Scottish Premier League and join a new Atlantic League aimed at leading clubs who dominate Europe's second tier competitions, a club spokesman has said.

News Corp and Liberty Media has announced that its joint venture Fox Sports International is to launch a sports television channel targeting viewers in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

WWF Entertainment has signed a new five-year deal with UK satellite and digital channels Sky Sports and Sky One set to generate more than $35m in revenues.

Ex-boxer Chris Eubank is joining a select group of former UK professional sportsmen to make a second career as media celebrities. Eubank?s lawyer, Mel Goldberg, explains how a starring role a new Nescafe TV commercial, is just the start of a new career in film, media and advertising. See `FEATURES?.

SOCOG staff were not incompetent, despite making ticketing errors that cost the Games $76 million in revenue, organisers said yesterday.

French media group, Groupe AB, has decided to exercise its option to sell its remaining 49% stake in Pathe Sport to Pathe. The transaction will generate a capital gain of FF 38.7 million for Groupe AB in the first six months of 2000.

A spokesperson for the UK government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed to sportbusiness.com that it has ordered Patrick Carter to produce a second report on the options for a national stadium.

The 11th European Sponsorship Consultants Association (ESCA) Congress will be held this year in Stockholm on November 15-16.

The National Hockey League (NHL) has entered into a strategic partnership with media firm USA Network incorporating ticketing, e-commerce and marketing services.

The team behind KOTV - the first international 30-minute weekly boxing highlights TV programme – says pre-sales have exceeded expectations as it prepares for the bell later this month.

The Australian Government has set up a special task force to assist the country's sporting organisations reeling in the wake of the financial collapse of three major sponsors.

Australian soccer star Harry Kewell has received a carefully worded apology from a promotor which has cleared the way for him to play for his country against France at the MCG on November 11.

Ufa Sports is seeking a naming rights sponsor for Iceland’s elite soccer league after negotiating an extended and expanded marketing deal with the Icelandic Football Association (KIS).