Wednesday, 9th May 2007

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

CBS Renews the US Open Tennis Championship

CBS, the US television network owned by Viacom, has agreed a new six-year deal reported to be worth about $145 million to continue broadcasting tennis’ US Open. The contract is reported to represent a 20-per-cent decline on the value of the present deal, but includes a revenue-sharing component that will allow rights owner the US Tennis Association to take a share of CBS’ advertising revenues above the level of an agreed minimum guarantee.

The deal, which runs until the end of 2011, replaces the last three years of the present deal, which was due to expire next year. The agreement also grants CBS the rights to televise the US Open Series, a series of tennis tournament leading up to the Grand Slam competition, which this year is scheduled for August 27 to September 9. CBS has been airing the US Open since 1968.

Cable rights are held by USA Network until the end of next season, with the cable broadcaster paying a traditional rights fee in a six-year deal said to be worth $125 million. Source: Sportcal, Sport Business, 8th May 2007

Man United Confident Asian Tour Will Go Ahead

Manchester United is confident that the club's planned summer tour of Asia will go ahead, despite being told they will not be welcome in Malaysia during July because of fears their visit will distract attention from the finals of the Asian Cup. The newly-crowned English champions, who have a massive fan-base across Asia, are due to play matches in the Chinese territory of Macau, Japan and South Korea, and had been scheduled to end their tour by facing a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur on July 27.

The final leg now looks as if it will have rescheduled or cancelled after local football chiefs caved in to pressure from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and said they would not sanction the match taking place in July. "We are currently attempting to clarify with our tour organisers what the situation is in regards to Malaysia but we are confident that the rest of the tour will go ahead," United spokesman Phil Townsend told AFP.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter revealed on Tuesday that he was liaising with England's Football Association to try and get United to change their tour plans out of respect to the Asian Cup finals, which are being held in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from July 7-29. "You are welcome but please come at a time that is acceptable to the whole football family," Blatter said at the AFC Congress in the Malaysian capital. "As FIFA president I appeal for your solidarity. "If a big club is touring we appeal for a minimum of respect when they plan to travel to the region when the Asian Cup is being played."

The vice-president of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Tengku Abdullah Ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah joined AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam in calling for United's entire pre-season tour to be called off. Bin Hammam had described United as "disrespectful" for scheduling a tour during Asian football's showpiece event and warned that, if the Kuala Lumpur match went ahead, the FAM would be in breach of a contractual commitment not to organise other games during the tournament.

United's match had been planned as part of the celebrations to mark 50 years of Malaysian independence and it was clearly a decision taken reluctantly with FAM General Secretary Ibrahim Saad separately spelling out what he thought. "As a Malaysian I'm surprised. It is out of tune for people to dictate to us how we celebrate our 50 years of independence," he said. Source: Channel News Asia, 9th May 2007


INFO BOX

How do you Carry Your Mobile Phone?
Source: Info IQ, 8th May 2007

Data on how people carry their mobile phones, gathered by Nokia over the last four years, is being presented at HCI International 2007 in Beijing. It reveals that women are missing more calls than men, and that belt-pouches are a sign of middle age. Nokia interviewed more than 1500 people around the world, in cities including New York, Milan, Kampala, Tokyo and Beijing, to understand how people carry their mobile phones and why they carry them that way.

It turns out that most men (60%) carry their phone in their right front trouser pocket; easy to reach, though when middle age starts to bite, belt pouches become more common as the trouser pocket becomes stretched. 61% of women like keep their phone in a handbag, despite 50% missing calls because they can't get to it in time. In Kampala 32% like to keep their phones in protective covers, perhaps to protect resale value. Only 3% of those in Tokyo try to protect their handsets from scratches and bumps.

Most anomalous is the attachment of ornamental straps or charms to handsets - this is endemic in Asia and pretty much unknown anywhere else. Females are prone to attaching straps of distinctive fabric so they can find their phone in a bag, but otherwise the straps serve to individualise the technology. Why that remains an Asian preserve is unknown.


SPORTS SHORTS

* Apple TV debuted in Korea on Monday. The multimedia device plays digital content like movies, TV, music, or photos from a computer to television via wireless connection. The device lets users search for digital media stored on computers within 9-meter radius and plays it on a wide-screen TV. It comes with a 40GB hard drive, enough to hold 50 hours of video or 9,000 music files and 25,000 photos. It also includes technology for streaming 720p HD content. The device can connect to wide-screen TVs and home theater systems. Source: Chosun Korea, 8th May 2007

* Telenor Pakistan has launched a mobile TV service, which it says is the first in the country. Telenor Mobile TV will offer a range of channels starting with Al-Jazeera, ABC News, TV 1, Indus Plus, Indus Vision, Cartoon Classic, MTV-Pakistan, Channel G, Filmazia, Waseeb, AWT Khyber & KTN. More channels will be added soon. Source: Cellular News, 7th May 2007

* China Mobile expects to continue adding 4 to 5 million new subscribers per month, but because most of these will come from rural areas, average revenue per user will decline. Wang Jianzhou, CEO of China Mobile's state-owned parent company, told that they would make up the shortfall by selling more expensive data services to urban customers. China Mobile draws an average of US$11 per month from each of its users. It had 316.12 million subscribers at the end of March and a market value of about US$185 billion, making it the world's biggest wireless company. Source: China Economic Review, 9th May 2007

* Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, visited Yahoo for a look at the company's new technology and economic opportunities they offer. Lee met with co-founder Jerry Yang and chief executive Terry Semel. Lee and Yahoo executives discussed increasing Yahoo's investment in Singapore and having it use the country as a "hub" for doing business throughout the region. Yahoo has had operations in Singapore for a decade and has been in discussions with its government "for a long time," officials said. Source: Telecom Asia, 9th May 2007

* The BBC is set to table a four-year deal worth at least £10 million to the Football Association of Wales for the right to show Welsh team matches on terrestrial broadcast, according to the Western Mail. Sky is the current rights-holder for Welsh matches and has just secured a contract worth £10 million for matches from Northern Ireland. The proposed deal from BBC Wales could include more exposure of the Welsh Premiership and Welsh Cup. Source: Sports Media, 8th May 2007

* Host Communications penned a multimedia rights deal with University of Kansas’ athletics department. Kansas Athletics will receive over $65 million over 10 years as part of the deal and ESPN Regional Television. Host will manage the property on a day-to-day basis while ERT will manage the television production and distribution. Host will sell, produce, and distribute radio broadcasts for Kansas Athletics, and has rights to sell, produce and distribute television broadcast of games, among other marketing activities. Source: Sports Media, 8th May 2007

* Live coverage of the Champions League could find a new home on German free-to-air television next season as Uefa seeks to increase audiences. The free-to-air and pay-television rights to the Champions League were originally acquired by Premiere, the cable and satellite broadcaster, for €200 million ($270.6 million) for three years from the 2006-07 season. Having no free-to-air outlet of its own, Premiere turned to DSF to air 13 live matches on its free-to-air platform. DSF’s deal with Premiere expires at the end of the 2006-07 season. Source: Sportcal, 8th May 2007

* While today's 3G connectivity seems zippy at 1.8Mbps, the big telecoms are working on a standard that could up mobile speeds to 100Mbps. Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Orange, France Telecom, T-Mobile and Vodafone have announced intentions to work on promoting LTE (long term evolution), a super high speed version of 3G. It is thought LTE networks will start rolling out from 2009 to 2010 and could cost operators $18bn. Source: Ken Radio, 8th May 2007

* A1 Grand Prix expects to announce losses of $34 million for the 12 months to June, down from $84 million in its inaugural season. The series has restructured since last year when hedge fund, RAB Capital, agreed to buy an 80% stake worth £100 million ($199 million) from founder Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum and a floatation is anticipated in 2009. Organisers are now making plans for the 2007-08 season, which begins in Zandvoort in the Netherlands in September, and hope to break even in the year ahead. Source: Sportcal, 8th May 2007


MORE NEWS

Don King: Suggests de la Hoya-Trinidad Rematch

Flamboyant veteran Promoter Don King wants to promote a re-match slugfest between Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. Unabashed by narrowly losing the heavyweight purse bid for the Maskaev vs. Peter clash, the wiry haired wily one, delighted in borrowing the limelight from fellow promoters Dino Duva and Dennis Rappaport in Mexico City, at the offices of the World Boxing Council.

Conservatively dressed in a sober gray suit but sporting a Stars and Stripes tie and matching handkerchief, a noticeably slimmer Don King drew a jostling crowed of Mexican reporters like bees to a honey pot, and with an occasional flourish of his unlit cigar, he couldn’t resist raising the tasty prospect of a re-match between Oscar and Tito.

He observed: “Well Oscar and Trinidad would be more of a fight (than Mayweather), because they will at least fight each other, and Felix holds a victory over Oscar. I think the fight between Mayweather and Oscar was just to get some money, because it didn’t figure for Oscar to win that fight unless he knocked him out, because there was no way he could outpoint Floyd.

King agreed that the first Oscar Tito fight was very competitive joking: “It was a very close fight, but Oscar says he wins all fights!” And would he like to promote that fight? “Absolutemente, exacto! I would love to promote that fight.” As for location, Mr King said anywhere would be fine, even the Azteca Stadium- the site of the 136,000 world record attendance for his promotion of Julio Cesar Chavez vs Greg Haugen. He slightly elaborated on this by suggesting: “Viva Mexico!” Source: Boxing Scene, 8th May 2007

Papua New Guinea/Business: Goes for Online Gambling Ring

An island nation that is more famous for ritualized cannibalism than for internet commerce has tossed its ceremonial headgear into the online gambling ring, after its parliament approved a bill legalizing both "bricks and mortar" and internet-based casino offerings by a 61-0 vote last week. The legislation, titled the "Gaming Control Bill of 2007" flew through parliament with the endorsement of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

The bill provides for the creation of a National Gaming Control Board to regulate the social downside of this controversial industry, such as potential criminal involvement, corruption and gambling addiction. Who watches over the Gaming Control Board is not clear. The bill mandates a 20% gross revenue tax and an additional 5% tax to be returned to the local communities most affected by the new law.

Illegal gambling on slots and horse racing has become a problem in the country in recent years, and tight regulation of the gambling industry, proponents argued, could both provide increased government revenues and lessen the collateral social damage of the industry. Source: Ken Radio, 8th May 2007

Elsewhere/Rights: Premier League Sues Website for Copyright Violations

The English Premier League is taking legal action against YouTube over what it says is the ‘unauthorised and uncompensated’ use of footage. The league filed a class action lawsuit in New York on Friday, seeking support from other organisations whose copyrighted material has appeared on the site, which is now owned by internet search giant Google.

Independent music producer Bourne is collaborating with the Premier League, which is seeking unspecified damages and a permanent injunction preventing YouTube from showing any more clips. Highlights from matches are regularly posted on the website within hours of their completion and the Premier League contends that not enough is being done to deter this activity.

In a statement, the league said: ‘Defendants are pursuing a deliberate strategy of engaging in, permitting, encouraging, and facilitating massive copyright infringement on the YouTube website.’ However, the website has defended its position, saying that it co-operates with copyright holders and removes copyrighted material as soon as possible when notified.

Several media companies have entered into deals to provide clips to YouTube but others are proving more resistant and are proceeding with legal action for alleged copyright violations. These include US giant Viacom which filed a $1-billion lawsuit in March. Source: Sportcal, Advanced Television, EUFootball.biz, 8th May 2007

Elsewhere/General: Sports Minister Warns Premier League to Reform

UK sports minister, Richard Caborn, warned the Premier League to back proposed new reforms contained within a European white paper that will address the way football is governed. The European Commission is set to publish a white paper setting out a new framework for sport, and ministers, led by Mr Caborn, are pushing to include measures that could change the way sport is governed across Europe, with a particular emphasis on football.

Europe’s top clubs and leagues oppose some of the measures and are concerned in particular that the proposals might grant recognition to UEFA as the governing body for European football and as the counterpart of the EU when dealing with football-related issues in Europe. The leagues view UEFA rather as the body with responsibility for the European Championship and the Champions League, but not as a governing body for European football. Source: Sport Business, Sportcal, 8th May 2007


ARTICLES, COMMENTS & OPINIONS

Why the Double Standards, AFC?
Christopher Raj comments on The New Straits Times Malaysia, 9th May 2007

THE hordes and hordes of Manchester United fans in the country are in for a major disappointment — the Asian Football Confederation is trying very hard to prevent the new English Premier League champions from playing a match at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on July 27. This is because the AFC feels the hype leading up to the match will take the shine off the Asian Cup tournament scheduled for July 7-29 in four countries.

Malaysia is just one of the hosts. The others are Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

"We will not hesitate to take action against the FA of Malaysia (FAM) if they allow the match to go on," said an adamant AFC president Mohammad Hammam yesterday. He is determined that the Red Devils’ tour of the Fast East should be called off or postponed, and asks why are European teams visiting Asia during the Asian Cup.

But what is baffling ... amazing really, is that the AFC has sanctioned an EPL tour of Hong Kong scheduled for July 24-27 involving Champions League finalists Liverpool, Fulham and Portsmouth, and the four-day Reunification Cup, also to be played in the former British colony, starting on July 1. "These events had been planned some time ago and both have been sanctioned by the AFC and marketed by the World Sports Group. That’s all I can say," said Emily Yip, Public Relations and Brand Officer for the Hong Football Association (HKFA).

While the AFC can argue that Hong Kong is not one of the Asian Cup hosts, South Korea, who will definitely start as one of the favourites for the Asian Cup, will be hosting the Peace Cup on July 12-22 in which 18 club sides from around the world will be involved.

Did I say ‘baffling’ and ‘amazing’? Quite honestly, it’s downright preposterous.

Here the AFC has sanctioned two tournaments (in Hong Kong) just prior and during the Asian Cup, yet will not allow a world class team with a massive legion of fans in Malaysia to play just one match in the country and that too towards the tailend of the Asian Cup. Talk about double standards! Malaysia hosts the first Asian Cup semi-final on July 25, with the second to be played in Vietnam. The final is scheduled for July 29 in Jakarta. United are scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on July 24.

The AFC needs to understand that not only has Manchester United got a massive following in Malaysia but that their visit is part, a big part, of the country’s 50th year of independence celebrations and a lot of people will be very disappointed if the match is called off.

United kick off their Far East tour against J-League champions Urawa Reds Diamonds on July 17 in Saitama, and then travel to South Korea for a match against FC Seoul on July 20. They then head to Macau to take on Shenzhen on July 23 before ending their tour in Kuala Lumpur with a match against a Malaysia XI on July 27.