Sponsorship & Marketing

Dr. Richard Luker, founder of the ESPN Sports Poll presented new research at the Interactive Sports 2000 conference in Los Angeles that suggests the internet sports market is "a market place still waiting for people to come through its doors".

Trailer manufacturer Featherlite has signed deals with the Grand American Road Racing Association to become an official supplier.

First Entertainment, a leading Multimedia Internet Entertainment Company, will stream live video of the PGA Compaq Classic of New Orleans on the company's F2 Sports Network. The live streaming will take place between May 1 - 7 from the English Tern Golf and Country Club in New Orleans.

CART has recorded a rise in revenues and net income in its first quarter financial results.

Sportal chief executive Rob Hersov has confirmed yesterday?s Sportbusiness.com report denying claims that Canal Plus has made a buy-out offer for the sports internet company. "Our company sits very well in partnership with the big sports media companies, but there is no offer on the table from Canal Plus," said Hersov.

Sportvision, a leader in sports media technology, has named Larry Novenstern as Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Mr. Novenstern joins Sportvision from BBDO Worldwide, the third largest global advertising agency network, where he served as Senior Vice President and Director of Sports Marketing Services.

Major League Soccer and Capital One have signed a partnership that makes Capital One the exclusive credit card issuer of MLS and its 12 member teams. The card will be available to MLS fans this summer.

Following the fifth year of an existing five-year agreement, Visa U.S.A. has confirmed it will continue its partnership with the National Football League, extending the existing sponsorship through 2004.

Brands Hatch motor racing circuit on Tuesday claimed to have significant support from local people for its 25 million pounds ($39.42 million) redevelopment plans to host the British Grand Prix from 2002.

Broadband Sports, a leading producer of proprietary sports content and commerce on the internet, has launched FreestyleDirect a new brand that will provide official web sites for extreme athletes.

Royal Dutch/Shell Group has extended its Formula 1 motor racing alliance with Ferrari, this year's top performing team.

Basketball?s international governing body, FIBA, and international sports marketing company, ISL Worldwide, have unveiled a new strategy for European basketball. The new concept for 2000 and beyond will give the FIBA Euroleague a completely different look, with a new competitive format, name and visual identity. The move follows the agreement made earlier this year, between FIBA and ISL.

Jon Wigley, London ?based Vice President of Marketing for the ATP Tour is to become Managing director of Sports Interactive AG, a joint venture between ISL and Kabel New Media which will manage the online activities of the AP Tour and Tennis Masters Series.

San Diego Soccer Development Corporation (SDSDC) has named Gabriel Luna De La Fuente as the Company's Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships. De La Fuente will oversee all aspects the San Diego Flash?s corporate sponsorship department.

One-On-One Sports Network, the most-listened-to 24-hour US sports radio network broadcasting on over 425 affiliated stations, has named Alex Gomez to the position of Vice President of Marketing.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has agreed a multi-year partnership with car manufacturers Lincoln.