Gretzky Trade Made Huge Impact

On this date 20 years ago, in 1988, Wayne Gretzky and two other players were traded by the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for three Kings, three draft picks and more than $10 million US. Gretzky, considered by many to be the best hockey player of his generation, wept at the news conference announcing the deal.

Gretzky led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups in five years and at 27 was still in his prime as a player. Gretzky retired from hockey in 1999 as a New York Ranger and was immediately named to the Hockey Hall of Fame. His jersey number of 99 was retired by the league forever.

Canadian Georges St. Pierre Ready to Dominate in UFC 87

UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre is primed and ready for his title defence against Jon Fitch on Saturday at UFC 87, according to trainer Greg Jackson.

"He's focused, he's hungry, he looks mean," Jackson said Thursday after the pre-fight news conference. "I can tell he wants to fight. He keeps saying 'I wish I could get to the fight.'

St. Pierre (16-2) is looking for his first successful title defence. The Montrealer beat Matt Hughes for the 170-pound championship at UFC 65 in November 2006, only to lose it to Matt Serra in three minutes 25 seconds next time out at UFC 69 in April 2007. He won the title back convincingly from Serra at UFC 83 in Montreal this April.

The stylish Canadian is 3-0 since losing his title and, along with Anderson Silva, B.J. Penn and Fedor Emelianenko, is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.

Grading the Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony

By: Robert Klein

China launched the summer Olympics on Friday with a splendid opening ceremony combining thousands of years of its history with a modern firecracker of a show. Vancouver will have a very difficult time trying to top this in 2010. The creativity on display was extraordinary.



The International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge looked quite serious and composed during his brief speech and said: "For a long time China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the athletes to the Olympic Games in Beijing. Tonight that dream comes true, congratulations Beijing." I liked the fact that Rogge confronted the issue of doping and athletes during his speech. Doping is a major issue in sport and it is better for the IOC to confront this issue head on.

The 91,000-strong crowd in the National Stadium, and more than a billion television viewers, saw the hoisting of the Chinese flag which was carried into the stadium by children from China's 56 ethnic groups after 2,008 drummers had started the show. The drumming display was one of the most memorable moments from the ceremony. The coordination was incredible. It was intense, intimidating, and showed the confidence that China has going into these Olympics. It left me awe struck. Simply the best.

The trip through China's rich history featured references to ancient paper-making and calligraphy, the Great Wall, opera puppets and China's arrival in the space age.

Performers included famous pianist Lang Lang and singer Sarah Brightman (bad hair extensions).

Directed by Zhang Yimou, the show featured some 15,000 performers and stayed away from politics as Chinese organizers had insisted that politics and sport should not mix. Yet, it was hard to take in that message when the television cameras showed the VIP section that had 90 state leaders including American President George W Bush, Vladimir Putin, and Gerhard Schroeder.

I don't think I was the only one who thought the show seemed to lag around the parade of nations. There were many countries I've never heard of and they seemed to take forever to march into the stadium. But, let the athletes have their moment. This is a once in a life time opportunity for them and a chance to represent the pride of their nation.

The parade started with Olympic inventors Greece and ended with hosts China who marched into the stadium behind flag-bearing basketball star Yao Ming amid a deafening roar. Having the little boy who survived the May 12 earthquake was a nice touch.

With regards to the Canadian uniforms, I was disappointed with the look. The painter hats were simply awful. It was much better when we had Roots designing our uniforms. The US looked great in their Ralph Lauren navy sportcoats and white Berets. Great Britain looked the best with simple navy suits and white jackets.

Before the concluding fireworks, Chinese Gymnastics legend Li Ning lit the Olympic cauldron with the flame lit on March 24 in ancient Olympia. Was this a better lighting than in Barcelona with the arrow? I think so.

Grade: A+

Props to the crew of CBC for airing the show live on television. I just don't understand why NBC, with so much invested into the Olympics continues to show events on tape delay and fill their production with personal stories.

GM Place to Get New Name for 2010

GM Place, the site of many of the ice events during the 2010 Olympics, will undergo a speedy name change before the Games begin.

Chief 2010 organizer John Furlong has told the International Olympic Committee the arena will likely be renamed Canada Hockey Place for the duration of the Winter Games.

The change would reflect an IOC policy that Olympic venues must be free of corporate marks.

Furlong rolled out the possible name -- which still requires Olympic Committee approval -- during an update on Games preparations delivered to committee members in Beijing.

Source: Canadian Press

Beijing Olympics: Networking Opportunities Galore

The Olympic Games attracts a potent mix of political leaders, international celebrities and the CEOs of the world's biggest corporations.

Coca Cola alone has invited 10,000 guests to the Games - the worlds of politics, sport and high-finance intermingle amid the charged atmosphere of the greatest sporting contest on earth.

And while the Olympics have been a highly commercialised event ever since Los Angeles in 1984, the Beijing Games offers a unique chance for international business leaders to tap into the great prize that is China's emerging domestic market.

Among the host of CEOs reported present in Beijing are News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch, H Lee Scott Jr, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Greg Brown, CEO of Motorola as well as a host of executives from McDonalds, Volkswagen and General Electric.

Source cited: Telegraph.co.uk

Athletes' Letter Condemns China

More than 40 Olympic athletes have signed an open letter condemning China's human rights record.

The letter is a Sports for Peace initiative, and was addressed to China's president Hu Jintao.

Other signatories included Croatian world high jump champion Blanka Vlasic and US 400m runner DeeDee Trotter.

The athletes' signatures were collected during a Golden League Athletics meeting in Berlin on 1 June.

Amnesty International and the International Campaign for Tibet have backed the letter, which appeared in the International Herald Tribune on Wednesday.

China Stage Most Expensive Opening Ceremony in Olympic History

Over $100 million has been spent on the opening and closing ceremonies, which will feature 15,000 performers and 29,000 fireworks. The amount is twice that spent by Athens in 2004. China has invested $43 billion on the Games, which have been widely dubbed as 'the greatest show on earth'.

The ceremony is expected to be broadcast to an estimated audience of one billion - the largest television audience in history.

Federal Government Backs Toronto's bid for Pan Am Games

The Canadian federal government is throwing its support behind Toronto's bid to host the 2015 Pan American Games.

Ontario government officials received word late Thursday of the backing by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The bid also involves municipalities in Niagara, Durham and as far north as Lake Simcoe.

The move clears the way for Premier Dalton McGuinty to travel to Beijing next week to lobby the Pan American Sports Organization's voting members, now in China for the Olympics.

Ontario wants about $600 million from Ottawa for the Pan Am event. It's estimated the Games will create $2 billion in economic activity.

Other cities believed to bidding against Toronto are Bogota, Caracas and Lima.

The winning bid will be announced next year.

Source: The Canadian Press

TSN Set To Launch Companion Channel

TSN this fall is planning to launch a companion channel called TSN2," which will include "major-league programming such as NHL and NBA telecasts on a cycle of 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


Source: Globe and Mail

NBA Website May Have Given Away Nickname of Oklahoma City Franchise

Oklahoma City's NBA franchise does not yet have a name, but the league's Web site may have provided a clue in that process.

The NBA released its 2008-09 schedule, and parts of the schedule on the NBA's Web site directed users to NBA.com/Thunder, a nonexistent site.

Other teams' Web sites have their team name listed after the slash in the address, but the relocated SuperSonics have been using NBA.com/OklahomaCity.

Clay Bennett's Professional Basketball Club LLC ownership group has applied for a trademark for six names, including the Thunder.

Canadian Sports Venue Profile: BC Place Stadium

BC Place Stadium

Vancouver, British Columbia

Team: BC Lions
Capacity: 59,841


BC Place, the world’s largest air-supported domed stadium was opened in 1983, holds more than 60,000 seats and is covered by fabric that is 1/30 inch thick but stronger than steel. The Stadium’s state-of-the-art technology goes beyond the roof. The multi-functional venue has the capability to host a variety of events, including sports, trade and consumer shows, rock concerts, royal visits and football games. BC Place is also scheduled to be the Opening and Closing Ceremonies venue for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and Medals Ceremonies.


Source Cited: www.bcplacestadium.com

CFL Legend Diagnosed with Cancer

Former Canadian Football League player and coach Ron Lancaster is again fighting cancer. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats confirmed that Lancaster, 69, is undergoing treatment for lung cancer only five years after he was successfully treated for bladder cancer.

"As much as I love the game of football, there are some things more important than what happens on the field of play," Lancaster said in a statement. "Five years ago, I survived a battle with cancer, and now we have another battle on our hands."

Toronto Raptors will Play in Edmonton

After a nine-year hiatus, the Toronto Raptors announced that they will play in Edmonton again.

The team announced on its website that they will play against the Denver Nuggets in Edmonton on Oct. 21, in a NBA pre-season game.

The Raptors played once before in Edmonton on Oct. 18, 1999, when they topped the Vancouver Grizzlies 110-84.

NHL Promotes John Collins to Chief Operating Officer

The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced that John Collins has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In addition to continued oversight of the NHL's business and media operations, as COO Collins will now also be responsible for the League's communications and Club Consulting functions.

Collins will report directly to Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Collins joined the NHL in November 2006, and in May 2007, he assumed the title of NHL Senior Executive Vice President, Business and Media, overseeing the League's marketing and licensing programs, all business sales, the production and creation of League content across all platforms, and the League's existing and future traditional and new media relationships.

During Collins' tenure at the NHL, the League has experienced record breaking seasons in terms of revenue, attendance, television ratings and NHL.com traffic. In his time at the League, Collins integrated the League's business and media operations; oversaw the development of new, strategic corporate marketing partnerships with companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Bridgestone and ScotiaBank; spearheaded the creation of the NHL Winter Classic (for which he was named Marketer of the Year by Advertising Age Magazine), oversaw the launch of NHL Network in the United States; and he initiated NHL Network Online, the League's landmark broadband media experience.

"In a relatively short time, John has constructed, and is executing, a successful business model for the NHL, leading the League through a new growth phase," said Bettman.

Collins has more than 15 years of experience managing business and media properties in a professional sports league context. Prior to joining the NHL, Collins was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cleveland Browns after being recruited for this position from the National Football League office by new Browns owner Randy Lerner.

Prior to joining the Browns in April 2004, Collins served in a variety of key business roles with the National Football League since 1989. In his last role as NFL Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Collins led all the marketing, programming, corporate sponsorship and advertising sales of the League. Collins is credited with leading a branding effort that resulted in that league becoming one of the most visible and successful brands in the world with marketing partnerships valued in excess of $1.9 billion in rights fees, activation and advertising commitments. Collins began his NFL career with NFL Films.

Sources Cited: MarketWatch

Indy Racing League signs new TV deals with ABC, Versus

13 of next season's 18 IndyCar races will air on the Versus cable channel.

The Indy 500 has aired on ABC since 1964, and will again next year. But ESPN, which had been broadcasting the other races, will pick just four, with the rest going to Versus.



Versus is available in 20-million fewer homes, but plans more pre-and-post-race coverage, and more features showing the drivers' personal sides.


ESPN will work with the IndyCar Series to determine which races it will air. The network says it hopes to use the 500 as a promotional tool for races as close to that time as possible.


Recently it was announced that Indy Racing would make a return to Toronto next year. The Toronto Indy is scheduled for July 12th at Exhibition Stadium. Another event will follow in Edmonton on July 26.

The deal with the three networks runs through 2018.

Source: Bizjournals.com

EA Will Produce Brett Favre 'Madden' Cover Featuring Jets Uniform

Here is some interesting news from EA Sports.

Brett Favre will be available to play as a New York Jet on the day “Madden NFL ‘09” is released next week.

Here are the details from EA, in the words of a company spokesperson:

The Madden NFL 09 will hit stores on Aug 12 with Brett Favre on the cover in his Green Bay Packers uniform.

EA does not plan to re-issue packaging, but WILL offer a free downloadable cover in the coming days on easports.com featuring Brett Favre in a Jets uniform. Fans can print this new cover out and insert it into the case of Madden NFL 09. Fans can print this new cover out and insert it into the case of Madden NFL 09.

EA will have a roster update available on August 11 with Brett Favre on the NY Jets. The game ships with Brett on an all-time greats team, but with the roster update that will be downloadable when product is available at retail, Brett Favre will be the starting QB for the New York Jets. The roster update is not mandatory - unless you are planning an online head to head game, or online league.


Source: IGN

Canadian Olympic Team's Wardrobe Raises Eyebrows

Fashion designer Tu Ly's ''urban camouflage'' fabric print used for the Canadian Olympic team's wardrobe has raised eyebrows.

Ly's collection for the athletes, which is also being sold at Canadian department stores, has become a target of derision among newspapers (including this one), bloggers, Canadian talk-show hosts, and sports pundits.

The specific pieces that have Canadians talking are pants and hoodies that are made from a fabric print that Ly calls "urban camouflage."

The red pattern incorporates the Canadian maple leaf, the number eight, which is a symbol of the Olympic games in Beijing, along with symbols culled from Chinese poster art and apocathary labels. The fabric is used in clothes that the Canadian team will wear in the Olympic village.

A key difference between Canada's uniforms, and those worn by other countries in the village, is the manufacturer. Many teams have uniforms that are being created by athletic apparel companies such as Adidas or Puma. (The US team is outfitted in preppy tennis white designed by Ralph Lauren.) The department store Hudson's Bay Co. is behind Canada's uniforms, which allowed Ly to take a different approach to his design.

"The reason why we could do what we did is that HBC is a department store," he says. "It gives us leeway to approach the uniforms from a fashion perspective, and I think that's what sets it apart."

Canada has a history of Olympic uniforms with an influence that goes beyond the Olympic village. In 1998, Prince William was photographed wearing the poorboy cap designed by Roots for the 1998 Nagano games. The hat was later seen on Robin Williams at the Oscars. In 2006, HBC created a sensation with its neo-fur trapper hats.

Sources: The Boston Globe

NFL Launches Secondary Ticket Market

Starting today NFL.com and TicketMaster.com will begin "NFL Ticket Exchange," the league's first official online ticket exchange.

Fans will be able to buy and sell tickets to all games for the 2008 season. They'll range from the preseason contests many season-ticket holders don't want to more valuable regular season, playoffs and Super Bowl tickets.

Last season, the NFL sold more than 22 million tickets to its preseason, regular season and playoff games, plus the Super Bowl.

Source: USA Today

Jets Already Selling Favre Jersey

Within hours of announcing Brett Favre's trade, the New York Jets had the new Number Four jersey for sale on the team's website.

The 'new' Favre jersey is selling for $80.

As of 6am, the Jets' store site had crashed and become 'temporarily unavailable.'

Over the past 17 seasons, Favre has sold more jerseys than any player in NFL history. Favre finished the season ranked No. 3 in jersey sales. There was not a single Jets player in the top 20 best selling jerseys last year.

Breaking: Favre Traded to Jets

Fox Sports reported on its Web site late Wednesday night that the Packers have traded the quarterback to the Jets. The report said the exact compensation wasn't immediately known, but is believed to be a single draft pick that increases in value depending on New York's performance during the season.

The Jets declined to comment on the report.

Lebron James Would Head to Europe for $50m

A source close to Lebron James said that Lebron “would strongly consider playing overseas if he was offered a salary of “around $50 million a year.”

Lebron James’ current contract expires after the 2009-10 season. Because of salary cap, no team in the NBA can offer James more than 20 million a year.

According to ESPN, The Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos, have already contacted James, no monetary or contractual discussions have taken place according to the person close to James.

Former Expos Manager Kuehl dies at 70

Karl Kuehl, a baseball scout, coach, author and player development specialist known for his contributions to the Oakland Athletics teams that won three pennants, died Wednesday. He was 70.

Kuehl died of pulmonary fibrosis in a Scottsdale hospital, son John said. He had been active until recent weeks, when he was hospitalized.

Kuehl was the manager of the Montreal Expos in 1976, going 43-85 before being fired with two months left in the season.

He went on serve six seasons as a base coach for the Minnesota Twins, then spent 12 years as head of player development and later assistant to the general manager for the A's.

Source: Associated Press

Recommended Reading: The Water Boy

Here is a very interesting and entertaining book regarding the life of Bobby Ackles. Unfortunately, Ackles died on July 6, 2008 of a heart attack and will be missed by many. He was a true sports business legend.

Description

When Bobby Ackles became the B.C. Lions original water boy, he probably never dreamed that he would lead the team to a Grey Cup victory over 50 years later. From his earliest days with the team to becoming its general manager and now president, Ackles has demonstrated a commitment and dedication to football in the CFL, NFL and XFL.

After leaving the Lions in 1986, Ackles joined the Dallas Cowboys as Vice-President and served six seasons with them before moving onto the Phoenix Cardinals and later the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2000, Ackles was named Vice- President and General Manager of the XFL s Las Vegas Outlaws. With this achievement, Ackles became the first and only man to hold executive positions in all three football leagues.

Finally, in 2002, Ackles returned to the home of his first football triumph, and brought the struggling B.C. Lions back to the top of the CFL by 2006. In this engaging personal memoir, Ackles takes the reader through the growing and changing world of football, both from a Canadian and an American perspective, where he lays down the differences between the two sport cultures, and reveals the dynamics of creating a winning team. It s the story of his passion and his drive, and his rise from a humble beginning to becoming one of football s most respected executives.

NHL Shrinks Goalie Pads

New rules will come inlimiting the size of goaltenders' knee pads will give shooters more of a chance to find the five-hole.


"Particularly with goaltenders, the cardinal rule is, 'Don't get beat five-hole," Glenn Healy, the director of public affairs for the NHL Players' Association and a former NHL goalie, told the Boston Globe. "You get beat once, fine. If you get beat twice, you're done. You're sitting on the bench. If you can plant a seed of doubt in the goaltenders that you can get beat there and you're vulnerable in that spot, the head worms start going. And once they start going in a goaltender's game, he's in big trouble."

The NHL's goalie equipment working group has mandated the length of knee pads will be limited to 21/2 inches -- in the past some goalies have worn up to six inches of knee protection.

"A lot of goaltenders wear extraneous flaps," Healy said. "It's like an airplane wing. You push a button and, 'Whoop.' It all accordions down, so there's no room to score down low. Take a pad that's 38 inches. Put two of them back to back and you're covering the entire bottom part of the net plus four inches."

Source: Canwest News Service

Raptors Schedule Released for 08-09 Season

The Raptors will open the 2008-09 NBA season on Oct. 29 on the road against the Atlantic Division rival 76ers, who added forward Elton Brand in the off-season.

Toronto's home opener follows two nights later against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 31.

Jermaine O'Neal, acquired by Toronto in an off-season trade, will make his return to Indiana when the Raptors visit the Pacers on Jan. 16.

Then Victoria's Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns make their only trip to Canada on Jan. 18.

All 82 Raptors games will be aired nationally in Canada, though no TV schedule has been released.

The Raptors have two nationally televised games in the U.S. They will appear on ESPN on Dec. 5 at the Utah Jazz and on ESPN2 on April 10 against Washington.

Toronto FC Star Maurice Edu - The New Face of EA Sports FIFA 09

Electronic Arts today announced that Maurice Edu will be on the cover of FIFA Soccer 09 in all North American regions. He joins Ronaldinho and Guillermo Ochoa as cover athletes for the game. Edu will also be the only Major League Soccer player to appear as a playable Mii in FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play for the Wii.

"I got a kick out of my Mii because it looks like he has a lot of fun on the pitch and he's capable of pulling off some wild moves," said Edu. "It's fun to take control of my character and blast outrageous shots on goal with a flick of the wrist. I've never played soccer like this before."

Source: Canadian Press

UFC Hopes to Have Another Show in Montreal Later this Year

The UFC is looking to make a return to Canada later this year.

"I literally just left a meeting where we were talking about that," UFC president Dana White told The Canadian Press on Tuesday. "We're looking to come back to Montreal."

White said the mixed martial arts organization hopes to return in November or December.

The UFC made its Canadian debut April 19, drawing a loud and proud crowd of 21,390 at the Bell Centre to see Montreal's Georges St. Pierre reclaim his welterweight title from Matt Serra. The Canadian card was the UFC's biggest ever in terms of attendance, its fastest ever sellout, and produced a gate of some $5 million.

Should St. Pierre dispose of top contender Jon Fitch in Minneapolis at UFC 87 on Saturday night, the stage could be set for a super-fight in Montreal later this year between the Canadian star and lightweight champion B.J. Penn. The Hawaiian fighter has long expressed a desire to return to the 170-pound ranks from 155 pounds to have another crack at St. Pierre, who won a split decision when the two welterweights met at UFC 58 in March 2006 in Las Vegas.

The UFC currently has shows booked through late October, including UFC 88 in Atlanta on Sept. 6, UFC 89 in Birmingham, England, on Oct. 18 and UFC 90 in Chicago on Oct. 25.

White made no mention of who might highlight the next Canadian card but acknowledged that Penn will be watching Saturday's title fight in Minneapolis closely.

"Obviously B.J. is pulling for GSP because he wants to fight him," he said.

The UFC had hoped that Penn would remain at 155 pounds to defend his title against the winner of Saturday's fight between lightweight contenders Kenny Florian and Roger Huerta. But White said he is unsure of Penn's plans.

"We know that B.J. wants to fight GSP again, especially if GSP wins. But no, we don't know."

Source: Canadian Press

Mets Sell Shea Stadium Seats

Mets fans will have a chance to take home a piece of Shea Stadium before it closes forever.


The stadium's seats are being sold for $869 a pair.


The online sale begins on August 25th, although season ticket holders will be able to buy earlier.


The seats are being removed from Shea a few weeks after the final home game.

The Mets play in their new stadium, Citi Field, starting next season.

Source: Bloomberg

University of Michigan Signs $86m Rights Deal with IMG

The University of Michigan athletic department has struck a marketing and media rights deal with IMG College that will bring the department at least $86 million over the 12-year length of contract.


The agreement, announced Monday, will include nearly every aspect of marketing the athletic department, with the exception of apparel licensing, which will be handled by the university and local TV, the rights of which fall to the second-year Big Ten Network.

"Michigan is as good a brand as you'll find in the college market," IMG College senior vice president and managing director Tom Stultz said. "It's got great tradition, history, they're great people to work with. It's a statewide brand, it's a national brand. It's got a lot of appeal to sponsors and advertisers."

LPGA Seeking a $4 million Sponsor

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is seeking a $4 million-a-year sponsor for the eight-tournament series it hopes to broadcast on network television in 2010, Sport Business Journal reports.

The details of the package are vague, although on-site activation, hospitality and some form of naming or presenting rights are expected to be part of any deal. According to Sport Business, the sponsor could also title sponsor a new season-ending event that would conclude the eight-tournament series for an additional fee.

The eight events that will make up the series have not been identified.

Sudbury to Host 2010 Ontario Summer Games

Sudbury has been chosen as the host city for the 2010 Ontario Summer Games.

The Ontario Games is the largest multi-sport event in the province, with more than 3,500 athletes competing.

Games director Blair Macintosh says Sudbury will have to upgrade some of its local facilities as well as build a BMX track.

The community of Haliburton was also bidding for the Games.

This year's event is being held in Ottawa and marks its 20th anniversary.

British Athletes Bare All For Advertising Campaign

Some of Britain's top athletes have decided to bare all ahead of the Beijing Olympics. Triple jumper Phillips Idowu, cyclist Rebecca Romero and swimmer Gregor Tait have all been photographed taking part in their individual sports stark naked as part of an advertising campaign for a sports drink.


"Everyone is used to seeing athletes in competition or winning, but we wanted to give people the chance to see the real make-up of an athlete and their muscle and power," said Cathryn Sleight, marketing director for Coca-Cola Great Britain, which launched the Powerade campaign.

Packers Hire Fleisher

The Green Bay Packers have reportedly hired Ari Fleischer to help with the ongoing Brett Favre issue, according to Fox Sports.

Former White House press secretary Fleischer will assist the Packers for one month.

The Associated Press states that Fleischer met with the Packers last Thursday, but the meeting was scheduled several weeks ago. While Fleischer didn't focus on how players should handle the Favre situation, the AP reports that it was discussed.

"Obviously it's a topic, and it wasn't ignored," Fleischer told the AP in a phone interview Thursday.

IOC Weighs Elimination of International Torch Relays

The International Olympic Committee is continuing to consider whether to eliminate international torch relays in the wake of the protests which disrupted the Beijing flame's global tour.


IOC president Jacques Rogge said Tuesday the committee will always retain its tradition of lighting the Olympic flame in Ancient Olympia and starting the torch relay in Greece.

However, he reiterated the IOC might do away with future global relays and limit the flame processions to domestic routes within the Olympic host countries.

"We will have to reflect with calmness and tranquility on the future of the Olympic torch relay," Rogge said in his opening speech at the three-day IOC session on the eve of the Beijing Games.

Canada Swim Team has Goal to Win One Medal

Pierre Lafontaine, the new CEO and head coach of Swimming Canada, is cautious about the Canadian Swim team and their chances for medals in Beijing.

“We have simple goals for our team,” Lafontaine said yesterday after Canada‚s first training session at the National Aquatics Centre. “Our goal is to qualify all six relays into the finals. We have the ability to do it.

“It would disappoint me if we were not in the top five of any event and not knocking on doors.”

That said, Lafontaine knows the shakeup at Swimming Canada, which began in 2005, has too much water to make up for these Games. The team’s stated goal is to win one medal here and three at the 2012 Games in London.

“I can’t control the Aussies, I can’t control the USA,” said Lafontaine, who took over the senior position at Swimming Canada after a successful run at the helm of the Australian program. “But you know what? Bring it on.

“I want my swimmers to stand on the blocks and feel like they belong there.”

As for Brent Hayden, the reigning world champion in the men’s 100-metre freestyle, Lafontaine is equally cautious.

“The world of swimming has changed over the last six months,” he said. “The 100 metres is an interesting event ... our strategy is to have a strong team and Brent Hayden is part of that team.”

Toronto FC has Open Practice Presented by Danone

Toronto FC held an open practice today that was presented by Danone.

Toronto FC Head Coach John Carver and the players demonstrated various interactive drills that typically take place during a Toronto FC practice for fans in attendance.


The purpose of this event was to give intimate TFC access to kids that may not otherwise be able to see the players they look up to in person.

Fans had the opportunity to enjoy some prizes, giveaways, and had the opportunity to make their own posters. A lucky winner of the Danone contest was on the pitch during the practice. Admission to the Toronto FC Open Practice was only $5.

DISH Network Gives the Boot to GolTv

DISH Network has booted the GolTV, the soccer network from its lineup after both sides failed to agree on a new carriage agreement.


Until it was pulled on August 1––the same day its contract with DISH expired––GolTV had been available via the satellite operator’s America’s Top 250 and DISH Latino packages.


“DISH Network has demonstrated total disregard for independent networks, the millions of soccer fans we represent, and minority-owned businesses by this action,” said GolTV COO Rodrigo Lombello, in a statement released by the network. “We urge upset DISH viewers to contact us or DISH to voice their concerns.”

WNBA, Discover Card Team Up

The WNBA is giving away a basketball court.

Young fans in six of the league's cities will have a chance to win a new court for their town through a contest in which they will compete in various timed drills that will test fundamental basketball skills.

The "Discover Card Home Court Challenge," which will promote healthy competition, sportsmanship and team spirit, is set to begin today and will run through Aug. 26 in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Sacramento and Washington. WNBA players will be on hand to lead the basketball drills during the competitions.

“Not only will these young basketball players be further engaged in the game they are most passionate about,” WNBA President Donna Orender said in a release, “but they will also have the chance to win a new basketball court for their entire community to enjoy.”

Participants will be divided into two groups, ages 9 to 11 and 12 to 14, and the city with the best overall average time score will win the basketball court provided by Spalding, as well as other prizes.

Athletes' Parents Fall for Ticket Scam

Beijing organizers are investigating reports of a scam in which fans, including parents of athletes, spent millions of dollars purchasing non-existent tickets from a web site. Numerous Australian newspaper reports have said that millions of dollars worth of fake tickets were sold through U.S. based beijingticketing.com. Some people paid as much as $57,000 for tickets and received nothing in return. Beijing organizers will be discussing the sales with national Olympic committees, said spokesman Sun Weide. Also, Weid said victims "have to be aware of the consequences of buying tickets through illegal channels." Tickets outside of China can be bought only from national Olympic committees and their authorized agents.

NBA Star Steve Nash and Victoria Team Up for Relief Effort

NBA star Steve Nash and the City of Victoria are teaming up to build a culture, art and sports and reconciliation centre in northern Uganda.

The project, led by the Victoria-based Steve Nash Foundation, will help traumatized, impoverished youth. Construction should begin next year.

"The youths of that community have experienced absolute horrors," said Nash, the 2005 and 2006 MVP in the National Basketball Association, speaking outside a basketball camp in Victoria. "We want to create a centre to give these youths the opportunity we're afforded."

The centre will provide free basketball, soccer and other sports equipment, art materials, classes and counselling.

The centre will be built in Gulu, 332 kilometres north of the capital, Kampala. The area has been the site of substantial fighting during the country's 20-year civil war, which has displaced more than 90 per cent of the population.

The foundation is still awaiting final budget estimates, but the centre could cost between $250,000 and $750,000, said executive director Jenny Miller. The project is a partnership between the foundation and Athletes in Africa, an international program that helps professional athletes assist African development.

Bills Toronto Series to Kickoff with Free Football Festival and Concert

Bills Toronto Series organizers have announced that
the eight-game series of Buffalo Bills games in Toronto will officially begin with a free football festival and concert called the Samsung Bills Toronto Kickoff Party.

The Samsung Bills Toronto Kickoff Party is free and will be held on August 14, 2008, from 4 p.m to 10 p.m. at Dundas Square in Toronto.

The football festivities will include:

• Live interviews with Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers alumni, including legendary Steeler running JEROME BETTIS and legendary Bills quarterback and hall of famer JIM KELLY
  
  
• Xbox 360 video game and entertainment systems featuring EA Sports Madden NFL 09, which will give attendees the chance to be among the very first to experience the latest edition of the most popular sports video game franchise of all time (EA Sports Madden NFL 09 is available in stores August 12)
  
  
• The 'GTA's Biggest Bills Fan' contest, which gives attendees the chance to show their passion for the Bills and win tickets to the August 14 Bills/Steelers game at Rogers Centre
  
  
• A Buffalo Bills chicken wing eating contest
  
  
• NFL Films and Buffalo Bills highlights
  
  
• NFL interactive games including the Quarterback Challenge and Bungee Run
  
  
• An appearance by the 2008 Buffalo Bills

At 8:00 p.m., following the festival, the Bills Toronto Series officially kicks off with a performance by the Buffalo Jills, a Buffalo Bills pep rally, and an appearance by every member of the 2008 Buffalo Bills. After meeting their northern fans, the Bills will depart and attendees will be treated to an exclusive, free performance by Canadian act Hedley.

The Skinny on Eugene Melnyk

Eugene Melnyk was born on May 27, 1959 in Toronto, Ontario.

He is the current owner, governor and chairman of the Ottawa Senators professional ice hockey club of the National Hockey League. As well, he owns the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors junior-age ice hockey club. He is the former chairman and chief executive officer of Biovail Corporation and former owner of Trimel Corporation.

In 1982, Eugene Melnyk founded medical publishing company Trimel Corporation.

Mr. Melnyk then founded Biovail Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company, in 1989. During his time as chairman and CEO of Biovail, revenues grew from $19 million in 1995 to $1.067 billion in 2006. Mr. Melnyk retired from his position as Chairman and CEO of Biovail on June 30, 2007.


Mr. Melnyk's first sports franchise purchase was the St. Michael's Majors of the OHL, which he still owns.

Until 2007, the club played at the St. Michael's Arena in Toronto, but has now relocated to Mississauga, Ontario.

On August 26, 2003, Mr. Melnyk purchased the Ottawa Senators hockey club of the NHL and their arena, Scotiabank Place out of bankruptcy. He is the sole owner, and holds the titles of governor and chairman.

Eugene Melnyk is the owner of Melnyk Racing Stables Inc. and Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, Florida.

Wrigley Canada to Bring Flavour to 2010 Olympic Games

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) welcomed Wrigley Canada as Confectionery Supplier to the 2010 Winter Games.

The agreement enables Wrigley Canada to use 2010 Winter Games marks for promotional purposes for Wrigley brands Excel, Extra, Juicy Fruit, LifeSaver, Hubba Bubba, Doublemint, and Freedent.


As an Official Supplier, Wrigley Canada also receives sponsorship rights for the Canadian Olympic team for Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010 and London 2012.


"As a leading company with deep roots in Canada and world-class confectionery brands, we are proud to join the Vancouver 2010 team," said Bruce Atherley, Wrigley's Vice President of North American Confection Marketing and Canada General Manager. "We are honoured to support our Canadian athletes and we look forward to helping VANOC create a distinctly Canadian Olympic and Paralympic experience in 2010."

Melnyk Wants MLS Franchise in Ottawa

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk wants a Major League Soccer team in Ottawa within the next 3 years. The former Biovail executive confirmed his interest in bringing a team to the city for the 2011 season, shortly after MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that the league would be expanding from 16 to 18 teams for that season.

"Major League Soccer has done an impressive job of bringing an exciting brand of professional soccer to North America," said Mr. Melnyk in a statement. "The popularity and passion for soccer is deeply rooted within our community and we firmly believe our city is more than ready to embrace an MLS team."

Already, Steve Nash has made it quite clear that he is interested in luring the MLS brand to Vancouver, while George Gillett, a man who has ownership ties with Liverpool and who owns the Montreal Canadiens, has expressed interest in a Montreal-based side.

Wagner Baseball Card Goes for $1.62 Million

John Rogers calls it "the holy grail of baseball cards."

The Arkansas collector spent 1.62 million dollars for a 1909 Honus Wagner card at a memorabilia auction in Chicago Friday, saying it was the realization of a decades-long dream.

Wagner, a shortstop for Pittsburgh, was arguably the second-greatest baseball player of his era, behind Ty Cobb. He hit .344 during his rookie year of 1897, and batted over .300 for 17 consecutive seasons, winning eight National League batting titles.

The record price for a baseball card is 2.8 million. It was paid in 2007 for a near-mint condition 1909 Wagner card.

There are fewer than 100 Wagner baseball cards in existence, according to a spokeswoman for Mastro Auctions, and less than ten are in excellent condition.