Sponsorship & Marketing

German sports marketing agency Global Sportnet has signed a two-year television rights contract with the Greek Football Association.

Toyota Motor Corp, which plans to enter Formula One racing from the 2002 season, is in talks to buy a major stake in Fuji International Speedway, scene of two F1 races in 1976 and 1977, Toyota has said.

Formula One is unlikely to reverse its policy of phasing out tobacco sponsorship following the ruling of a European Court, which overturned European legislation banning tobacco advertising.

Sydney?s two major stadia, the Stadium Australia Group's Stadium Australia and the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust's Sydney Football Stadium, have become keen commercial rivals.

Ambush marketing was less of an issue in Sydney than at past Olympics but a spat has emerged between major brewers Carlton & United and Lion Nathan.

UK?based venture capitalists 3i have invested #3millon in Sport First - the UK?s only national sports newspaper.

Online sports media company Total Sports, has teamed up with multimedia sports marketing company International Sports Properties (ISP Sports) to expand the Total College Sports Network (TCSN) with seven new collegiate properties.

Silverstone's future as the venue for the British Grand Prix is hanging in the balance.

Major League Baseball has named FCB San Francisco as the agency to handle all integrated advertising communications activities for the upcoming 2001 baseball season.

Virtual technology company Orad Hi-Tec Systems has been recognised with an Emmy Award by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

SportsYA!, the internet portal serving Latin America, Spain and U.S. Hispanic markets, has secured $10 million capital investment in its latest round of financing from investors.

Sportal.co.uk is to sponsor the Two Way TV digital television channel's fantasy sports trading game Armchair Manager.

Zoo Media Corporation has been chosen to host and produce the official Lincoln Rugby League World Cup 2000 web site.

International Sports Wagering Inc (ISWI), the US-based online gambling software firm, has retained Hayden Communications to heighten awareness of the company in the professional investment and media communities.

The disappointing ratings for Olympic coverage on NBC in the US have been offset by more encouraging figures around the world.

Southern African Investments Limited (SAIL), the sporting brands company with stakes in eight South African rugby clubs, a soccer club and a chain of upmarket golf practice centres, has made its first move into professional cricket.