AT&T and USA Basketball Announce New Marketing Agreement
AT&T Wireless, AT&T blue room, AT&T U-verse(SM) TV to Feature Exclusive USA Basketball Content for Fan
USA Basketball and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a new agreement that makes the global communications company an Official Partner of the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team.
This wide-reaching agreement will provide AT&T and its customers with exclusive USA Basketball team online and Video on Demand content. Along with exclusive wireless and online content, AT&T will also feature its products and services through special USA Basketball-themed marketing materials.
Fans can connect to exclusive USA Basketball content today through AT&T blue room (http://www.attblueroom.com/TEAMUSA) and soon through AT&T CV on AT&T 3G wireless handsets, and on AT&T U-verse(SM) TV via AT&T Team USA On Demand. Fans will enjoy access to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage including selection of the team, USA Basketball Training Camp, exhibition game highlights, USA Basketball video segments, interviews with athletes and coaches and other vignettes. AT&T blue room and AT&T Team USA On Demand will keep fans connected to the U.S. Olympic Team with webcasts and footage of events, plus exclusive interviews with Team USA hopefuls.
In addition to content, AT&T will launch a “USA Basketball Communicator,” an AT&T-developed branded downloadable widget for users to view USA Basketball news, information, and schedules. Fans can go online and download the “USA Basketball Communicator” from the AT&T blue room or http://www.usabasketball.com/.
“The dedication, teamwork, and commitment of our USA Basketball Senior National Team exemplifies the Olympic spirit,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball executive director. “We are pleased to partner with AT&T to offer fans exclusive content, connecting them to this extremely committed and hardworking team and the excitement of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.”
“As a proud sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, we’re thrilled to add another great sport to our roster,” said Jason Simpson, AT&T director of Olympic integration. “We’re excited to offer fans across the country unique USA Basketball content, consistent with our goal to connect consumers to the athletes through as many venues as possible.”
AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and provides significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic Committee. AT&T will also serve as the official telecommunications services partner of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to supporting USA Basketball, the company serves as an official partner for several National Governing Bodies, including USA Diving, USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming.
Source: AT&T Inc.
Foxhill Motocross Offers 120 Years of Prizes for the Top Video on July 27th
The management of Foxhill Motocross is looking for the best video to capture the thrills and excitement at Foxhill on July 27th.
Genevieve Mather, the track’s owner says, “You can talk all day about how fantastic the track is, but unless you see the jumps and the harrowing turns, it’s all a bit flat. We’re looking for the one video that best captures the excitement of Foxhill.”
Circuit Manager Jamie Bouloux continued, “We have some exciting prizes for the winning video.”
1. The winning entrant will win two lifetime passes to every Foxhill Motocross event for 120 years. Yes, you may leave the tickets to your future generations. (This does not include access to any restricted areas.)
2. The winning video will be on the www.foxhillmotocross.com homepage for one year.
3. A press release will be sent to the European market announcing the winning video around September 1st.
Here’s how the contest works …
- Purchase a ticket for the Foxhill Motocross race either online or at the gate.
- Spend the day with your video camera capturing the sights and sounds that make Foxhill the number one track in the world.
- Send your entry (no longer than 10 minutes) to peter@hooplegroup.com. All entries become the property of Foxhill Promotions. The contest closes on August 19th.
- We will select the top 10 videos and the world of motocross enthusiasts will vote for their favorite for 10 days on the www.foxhillmotocross.com website.
- The video with the most votes will be notified on September 1st.
Foxhill is located approximately two miles southeast of Wanborough at Junction 15 off the M4. Tickets are 20 pounds for adults and 5 pounds for those 8 – 15 years old. There will be a family ticket at 40 pounds for two adults and 2 children, under the age of 15. Visit www.foxhillmotocross.com to buy tickets.
With top British riders scheduled to compete, including teams such as Molson Kawasaki Racing, Relentless Suzuki MX, and Team KTM UK, Foxhill is ready to resume its role as one of the top tracks in the world.
To talk with a member of the Foxhill Promotions Team about the British Maxxis race on July 27, please contact Jamie Bouloux, Circuit Manager, at jamie@foxhillmotocross.com. Make sure to visit www.foxhillmotocross.com.
Source: Foxhill Motocross
Michael Jordan, Tony Romo, John Elway and Other Superstars Show Off Celebratory Skills
First-Ever Korbel Champagne Celebrity Spray-Off Features Sports and Entertainment Celebrities
Champagne corks were flying in Lake Tahoe as more than 30 celebrity participants took time to show off their celebratory champagne spraying skills this week during the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Fans watched as top sports stars stopped to highlight their locker-room celebratory skills during the first ever “Korbel Champagne Celebrity Spray-Off.”
Collectively, these championship athletes have overwhelming experience with locker-room celebrations so it was only fitting they showcased their talents in a friendly competition highlighting their expertise.
With a combination of style and technique, two-time Super Bowl Champion John Elway exhibited the best overall performance earning him top marks. Elway’s charismatic spray and great champagne distance outshined the other participating superstars.
And undeniably the crowd favorite and possibly the most legendary athlete in sports history, Michael Jordan, surrounded by hundreds of fans gave them something to cheer about with his stylish champagne spray.
Hockey stars seem to have an advantage as they showed they had some serious champagne-spraying know-how as it seemed their sprays had the most flair and style. Brett Hull and Mario Lemieux, both two-time Stanley Cup Champions, showed off their champion sprays. Jeremy Roenick, Joe Sakic, and Mike Eruzione also gave it their best shot with high-flying sprays.
Quarterbacks Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys and Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to win a Super Bowl, but they demonstrated they’ve got the right technique for when their day comes. Those with Super Bowl experience, Jim McMahon, two-time Super Bowl champion, and Super Bowl MVP, Mark Rypien have had plenty of chances to pop the cork on champagne to celebrate victories. It’s been many years since their last Super Bowl appearances, but they proved they still have what it takes to go the distance.
More of football’s greatest athletes stopped by to try to score points with the fans including Gale Sayers, Mark Rypien, Carson Palmer, Tony Romo, Sterling Sharpe, Aaron Rodgers, and Billy Joe Tolliver.
Lou Holz, former Notre Dame football coach along with Michael Shanahan, Denver Broncos head coach, Herman Edwards, Kansas City Chiefs head coach, and Steve Spurrier, University of Georgia head coach used their leadership and experience on the sidelines to show the players the right way to pop the top.
Former baseball greats, David Wells, Darryl Strawberry, Vince Coleman, and Mike Schmidt, participated in the competition, and all hit home runs with champagne spraying technique.
Some of the other celebrities participating in the tournament tried their hand at the spray-off competition, including entertainment stars Kevin Nealon, Maury Povich, Stone Phillips, and even former Vice-President, Dan Quayle. Although not an athlete, Quayle held his own while competing against super star athletes as his spraying technique made you wonder if he’s had experience popping the top as he certainly looked like a champagne spraying veteran.
“We are thrilled to be a part of such a great event as the American Century Golf Classic again,” said Gary Heck, owner and president of Korbel Champagne Cellars. “Korbel is the perfect celebratory beverage, and it was great to have a little fun with it during our first-ever “Spray-off” event.”
Celebrate responsibly.
Source: Korbel
Tickets on Sale at Discounted Rate Through Jan. 1 to Attend the 2009 Senior PGA Championship
Golf fans will be able to purchase tickets at a discounted rate through Jan. 1, to attend the 70th Senior PGA Championship, the most historic and prestigious event in senior golf, which will be contested May 21-24, 2009, at Canterbury Golf Club in Beachwood, Ohio, approximately 10 miles southeast of Cleveland.
The Senior PGA Championship brings together the game’s foremost senior professionals as well as many of the legendary players who compete in the season’s first senior major. Tickets will be available until Jan. 1, 2009 at $10 for Tuesday and Wednesday practice rounds; $25 for each competitive round, Thursday through Sunday, or $80 for a weekly package.
Tickets will be sold at a higher gate price after Jan. 1, 2009.
Founded in 1937, the Senior PGA Championship was first conducted at Augusta National Golf Club at the invitation of legendary Bobby Jones. The Championship perennially attracts the deepest international field and its list of Champions includes virtually the greatest players to play the game.
Canterbury Golf Club, designed by Herbert Strong and opened for play in 1921, is recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in America, and next year will joined Oak Hill Country Club of Rochester, N.Y., as the only courses to host all U.S. men’s rotating championships.
“The combination of Canterbury Golf Club and the rich tradition of the Senior PGA Championship will make a spectacular setting for what promises to be one of our finest Senior PGA Championships,” said PGA of America President Brian Whitcomb. “We encourage golf fans throughout Ohio and the country to bring their families and be a part of the next page of history at Canterbury Golf Club.”
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold; to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the $76 billion golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Source: The PGA of America
NASCAR Commentator Signs With TNA Wrestling
Hermie Sadler officially joins TNA Wrestling, alongside Kurt Angle, Sting, Kevin Nash and Samoa Joe
Former NASCAR driver Hermie Sadler signed a “Professional Services” contract today with Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, it was announced by the Tennessee-based company. Terms of the deal were not released.
Sadler retired from the NASCAR Nextel Cup series after the 2006 season and is now an analyst for NASCAR on SPEED and Direct TV Hot Pass, and TNA has agreed to sponsor Sadler on Direct TV’s Hot Pass. Since TNA’s inception in 2002, Sadler has wrestled in past matches, served as a guest referee and also has sat in as a TNA announcer with broadcasters Mike Tenay and Don West.
“I am a longtime pro wrestling fan and a true supporter of TNA Wrestling; I really believe in the product. It has been a lot of fun, truly an enjoyable experience working with the superstars of TNA Wrestling,” said Sadler, 38, the 1993 Busch Series Rookie of the Year. “In this new job with TNA, there are endless possibilities — both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
In addition to NASCAR announcing, Sadler also is a weekly guest every Tuesday on the nationally-syndicated John Boy & Billy Big Show, a morning radio show which originates from Charlotte, N.C. He regularly discusses TNA storylines and superstars on the popular radio show.
In addition, Sadler appears on card No. 52 in the 100-card “TNA Impact!” trading card set, released in June by Houston-based Tristar Productions, Inc. “When it was first mentioned about having a Hermie Sadler card in our inaugural TNA Wrestling card set, it was a no-brainer; we definitely wanted to include him,” said Tristar Vice President Mandy Fuerst.
“A little-known fact about the Hermie Sadler card is, it was the absolute last card added to the set, and we’ve had as many inquiries about that card as almost any in the entire set. We’ve had a number of people asking for an authentically-signed Sadler insert card, and though there were not any included in this first set, we’re hoping to have Sadler autograph cards for the next set, which comes out this fall.”
The NASCAR scene shifts to Chicago this week as the Chicagoland 400 is slated for July 12 — and that is three months to the day from TNA Wrestling’s first-ever Chicago-area show, “Bound For Glory IV,” the company’s biggest annual pay-per-view.
TNA Wrestling presents “Bound For Glory IV” live from the Sears Centre Arena in suburban Hoffman Estates, Ill., on Sunday, Oct. 12, starting at 8 p.m. ET, and it will air worldwide exclusively on pay-per-view.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Hermie join the TNA Family in a more formal role,” said TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter. “We’re excited to be coming to Chicago with ‘Bound For Glory IV,’ and though it’s still too early to talk about specifics for our October show, we plan to have Hermie involved in an integral role on the show.”
In 2002, Sadler had a feud with TNA Wrestling star Ron Killings, leading to a number of appearances and matches as part of a cross promotion between TNA and NASCAR. TNA Wrestling later sponsored Sadler’s racing efforts.
“Hermie’s enthusiasm for TNA Wrestling shines through every time he comes to the arena,” said TNA Wrestling commentator Don West. “His ability to relate what he sees in the (wrestling) ring to his NASCAR experiences is a great insight whenever he gets on the TNA broadcast.”
Cross the line to TNA Wrestling, the most innovative experience in professional wrestling today. Join Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Icon” Sting, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles and the no-limits X-Division in the six-sided ring of “TNA iMPACT!” every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Spike TV.
TNA Entertainment, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.
Spike TV is available in over 96 million homes and is a division of Viacom International Inc.
Cross The Line at www.tnawrestling.com.
Source: TNA Wrestling
Tee Time for the 2009 PGA Championship
Tickets to go on sale July 9, 2008, at pga2009.com and (800) PGA-GOLF
Tickets for the 2009 PGA Championship will go on sale to the general public tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at noon on PGA2009.com and by calling (800) PGA-GOLF. The upcoming 2009 PGA Championship will be held Aug. 10 – 16, 2009, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
Two different ticket packages are available, including Wanamaker ticket packages, $425 each, and Season ticket packages, $300 each. Both packages include access to all seven days of the 2009 PGA Championship with individual transferable tickets for each day of the event, parking and a copy of the official 2009 PGA Championship Journal. Wanamaker packages also include access to the Wanamaker Club, a pavilion located next to the first green featuring televisions, air-conditioning, an expansive patio and a spirited atmosphere.
When accompanied by a ticketed adult, juniors (under 18 years of age) can attend for $15 per ticket per day during practice rounds Monday through Wednesday and $25 per ticket during play Thursday through Sunday of Championship Week.
“After hosting a highly successful 2002 PGA Championship at Hazeltine, we knew Minnesotans would be very excited for the Championship’s return,” said Michael Belot, 2009 PGA Championship tournament director. “Tickets sold out months before the event in 2002 and it appears ticket demand is going to be even greater this time around.”
Tickets will officially go on sale with a ceremonial tee off at Hazeltine at noon on July 9. The event will include celebrated Minnesotans who are a part of the state’s golf and sports community, including representatives from the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild and Gophers. The official tee off will be followed by participants taking part in a golf competition for charity.
Source: 2009 PGA Championship
Web site: http://www.pga2009.com/
NBA Star Set to Marry for 13th Time in Lavish Ceremony Atop World Famous Space Needle
The Christies Continue To Give Back While Keeping Their Bond Strong
NBA star Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, are planning to marry yet again on Tuesday, July 8th in Seattle, Washington in a lavish ultra private ceremony. This will be the 13th wedding for the power couple who have made this a family tradition.
Doug and Jackie have a distinctly unique bond, which spans 16 years of both public acclaim and scrutiny. Their first book, No Ordinary Love: A True Story of Marriage and Basketball, released through their publishing company Infinite Love Publishing, provides a candid look at the Christies’ own relationship and illustrates how mutual respect, friendship, and a commitment to monogamy serve as the foundation of their marriage. Their book presents unique advice and detailed recommendations for not only making relationships work but also making them last.
Aside from past public scrutiny as well as untrue rumors that the Christie’s had to endure, affected not only their personal life but professional life as well. Most recent was that of veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy who refereed games in the NBA during Doug’s tenure with the Sacramento Kings in 2002. Tim Donaghy was accused of betting on basketball games over the past two seasons and most recently admitted to cheating in game 6 of the semi-finals that year between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball teams. “I am devastated to now find out the game was not officiated fairly,” says Christie. “Not just for myself and my family but for my teammates as well who put their heart and soul on the line, the fans and the players out there on the floor right now. Who can tell what’s ‘real’ and what’s fake?”
“We strive to be positive role models and make good things happen for everyone, that is why we established our companies to make a difference,” said Jackie Christie.
None of the harsh treatment they face, will stop Doug and Jackie from doing what is important to them. To mark their 13th anniversary, the couple will donate $100,000.00 (US) to charity and plan to invite 100 gay and lesbian couples to join them next July for their 14th wedding to marry in one joint ceremony. We will be honored to do it said Jackie Christie. They continue to participate in non-profit organizations such as the BLACK HIV/AIDS Institute helping to raise awareness on the wide spread epidemic surrounding the disease, as well as their work with longtime Seattle, Washington charity the Millionaires Club, amongst others.
“The power couple is also responsible for inspiring so many other couples including celebrity couples, to marry more than once, we are so happy to see so many people now choosing to marry multiple times, or renew their vows privately and publicly. Our hearts warm when someone say’s thank you for inspiring us,” said Doug Christie.
The Christie’s daughter, role model and multi talented entertainer Chani, whom recently released her debut album, ‘My Dream’ is following in her parents footsteps with her own philanthropy as well. By being named the YMCA National Youth Spokesperson, as well as, the United States youth ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness.
Source: Infinite Love Publishing