Jay-Z brings Nets basketball team to Brooklyn

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

 

Few, if any, leading sports clubs can say that a top rap star has played a role in their rebirth, but that is the case with the newly founded Brooklyn Nets basketball team.

Known as the New Jersey Nets for 35 years, the team will start the new season in the famous New York borough, and in a new stadium, the Barclays Center. Jay-Z, who owns shares in the club, has been a prime mover behind the NBA team's reincarnation, advising club executives, as well as designing club logos and apparel. He also stars in a series of eight sold-out concerts, starting on Friday, 28 September, to open the multi-purpose venue, which will be used for everything from sporting events, to concerts, to family shows. The music star, real name Shawn Corey Carter, was brought into the Nets fold in the mid-2000s by then-owner, and current minority stakeholder, property developer Bruce Ratner. It was Mr Ratner who also came up with the idea of moving the team to sports-mad Brooklyn, without a major professional sports team since the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team moved to Los Angeles in 1957. Ownership 'vision' "When Bruce Ratner first bought the team he brought Jay-Z into the ownership structure - that showed foresight," says Brett Yormark, Brooklyn Nets chief executive. "Jay-Z is from Brooklyn, he is of Brooklyn. So he recognised the vision when Bruce first announced his intention to come to Brooklyn." Mr Yormark says: "Jay-Z's role with the team has evolved." And the rapper worked closely with club executives on the two new club logos - one with a shield and one with a large B - and colours.

 "He is a confidant that I can reach out to - he has a tremendous understanding of current consumer trends," the Mr Yormark, 45, adds. The move completes a near eight-year battle for Mr Yormark to get the team into its new $1bn (£0.6bn) home, having to overcome the global financial crisis on the way. "We are very excited - I honestly think the Barclays Center, and the move of the Nets, has exceeded people's expectations," he says. "It has taken time to get to Brooklyn, but on 30 April we turned the page." That was when the red, white and blue of the New Jersey Nets was exchanged for the black and white Brooklyn look. 'Incredible time' The Brooklyn borough is roughly 10 miles (16km) across the Hudson from Newark, New Jersey, last home of the Nets. "It has been an incredible time since April - the public has really connected with the 'Brooklyn-isation' of our offer," Mr Yormark says. If its population was counted separately from that of New York, then Brooklyn would be the fourth biggest city in the US, offering a large potential fan-base. Mr Yormark says that sales of merchandise are going very well, and doing better than some long-established teams. Demand has exceeded expectation, and Mr Yormark was also pleased to see club merchandise on sale in London during a recent visit, given that the Nets are looking to create a global fan-base. 'Russian goal' Like all NBA teams, China is a major potential market, but for the Nets there is another specific nation they are targeting, the homeland of club majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov. "We have an eye on Russia - that is a market we are keenly interested in," says Mr Yormark. "Our goal is to be the home NBA team in Russia." And whereas the club previously sold 4,000 "full season seats", during their time in New Jersey, they have sold more than 10,000 of these season tickets for the 18,000 capacity Barclays Center. There is a wide range of tickets, to suit all incomes. At the top end there are 1,200 executive suite seats, and at the other there are 2,000 tickets available at $15. "It is part of our message to the community - we want to make sure that anyone can attend a game," says Mr Yormark. The Barclays Center will also provide 2,000 jobs for local people. New Jersey support There are also Nets ticket packages, which call for a commitment of three years, but which allow access to tickets for other events at the Barclays Center before the general public can buy. "This was the first product of its kind in New York," says Mr Yormark. "If you are a business person and you know you are going to need tickets for college sport, boxing, family shows, then you know you can get them from the Nets." He says that some 12% of the ticket base that was with the Nets in New Jersey has pledged to follow the team over in Brooklyn. "We try to do our best for fans," says Mr Yormark. "We promised that if they stuck with us [for the last season] in New Jersey they would get first chance at the Brooklyn tickets." Meanwhile he says that sponsorship income is up three times on last year's figure. Barclays is the title sponsor of the new venue, and there are 12 founding partners, which include big names like American Express and Honda. "It is an exciting time - you don't often get a chance to transfer a team into a new major market." 'Silver lining' The move will certainly establish a local rivalry with the New York Knicks team, who the Brooklyn Nets will play in the first match of the season on 1 November. "The first game will make for a very tremendous moment, and gives people a lot to talk about," says Mr Yormark. The move has not been without its difficulties, with protests and political hurdles to be overcome. But Mr Yormark sees the delays as actually having had a beneficial effect. "I look at everything with a silver lining," he says. "The economy is better than it was, Brooklyn is a more dynamic market than it was, the time is right to bring sport back to Brooklyn."













By Bill Wilson Business reporter, BBC News
27 September 2012 Last updated at 22:35 GMT
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19503482

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Rory McIlroy eyes US & European double at BMW Masters

Thursday, October 25, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy will continue his bid to top the money lists on the European and United States tours at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. 

He has a US$1.91m lead over Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, but can be overtaken by both Justin Rose and Branden Grace on the Europe tour this week. Luke Donald became the first man to win both money lists in one year in 2011. The field at Lake Malaren includes 11 of Europe's victorious Ryder Cup team, as well as captain Jose Maria Olazabal. Of the side that came from behind to win 14½-13½ at Medinah, Spaniard Sergio Garcia is absent, while the Republic of Ireland's Padraig Harrington and Australian Marcus Fraser are the only two of the Race to Dubai's top 30 not in Shanghai. England's Rose and South African Grace could both overtake McIlroy with victory in China, with the Northern Ireland player on guard after finishing second on the European money list in two of the last three years. "It would be good to knock that off and try and do what Luke did last year and win the money list on both tours," said the 23-year-old. "I've got a big run left in my year with four tournaments in the next five weeks, so I would like to finish off the season as well as I can. "I've got Justin and Branden right behind me and there is still some big-money events still to play, so I've four events left and if I do play well in those four events hopefully I can achieve that goal." If McIlroy finishes outside the top seven, a top-two result would see Rose take over at the top of the Race to Dubai. Rose, who won the European Tour title in 2007, is drawn with McIlroy and fellow Englishman Lee Westwood in the final group that tees off at 04:20 BST on Thursday. "There are some big events coming up and an exciting finish to the Race to Dubai," said Rose, who trails McIlroy by 437,000 euros (£353,000). "I think Rory is playing more tournaments than me in the lead-up, so I am going to have to play well, absolutely. "To be number one of any tour around the world, especially the European Tour, that's a huge goal and would be a huge honour."








24 October 2012 Last updated at 12:09
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/20067839

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Bolton Wanderers confirm Dougie Freedman as new manager

Bolton Wanderers have confirmed Dougie Freedman as their new manager. 

Crystal Palace announced the departure of the 38-year-old, who replaces Owen Coyle as Wanderers boss, on Tuesday. Freedman, who was in charge of Palace for 21 months, said: "I am delighted to join Bolton. The club is geared up to getting back into the Premier League. "There is an impressive setup and structure in place, and a first team squad of undoubted quality. I'm excited about the challenge ahead of us." Bolton chairman Phil Gartside added: "Dougie is young and ambitious. When we met, his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game was evident. "He has a real drive and passion, and knows what we want to achieve and how we want to go about it. I am looking forward to working with Dougie to secure that." Freedman, a former Palace and Scotland striker, leaves the Eagles fourth in the Championship - 12 places and six points above Bolton. Despite Freedman's arrival appearing imminent, academy chief Jimmy Phillips revealed after Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Wolves that he had been asked to prepare the first team for their trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday. Bolton made an approach to speak to Freedman on Sunday, which was rejected by Palace, but the London club later gave Wanderers permission to talk to their manager. The Eagles released a statement confirming his exit from Selhurst Park, although Bolton would not officially announce his appointment.









25 October 2012 Last updated at 11:35
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20081696

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Rory McIlroy out of World Golf Final after Tiger Woods defeat

Friday, October 19, 2012

World number one Rory McIlroy bowed out of the World Golf Final in Turkey after losing his third successive match.  

Having lost to Matt Kuchar and Charl Schwartzel, McIlroy needed to beat Tiger Woods with a low total in the final group game of medal match play. But he could only post a one-under 70 as Woods surged into the semi-finals with a fine 64 containing no bogeys. Woods plays Justin Rose, who carded a 62, in the semis, while Lee Westwood shot 64 and faces Charl Schwartzel. McIlroy, who won his second major in August by claiming the USPGA title at Kiawah Island and helped Europe to Ryder Cup glory last month, was behind from the opening hole against Woods, after sending his opening drive into the water. With a three-wood he drove pin high at the 304-yard par-four fifth but miscued his chip and could only make par. Woods tapped in from four feet for his second birdie and opened a three-shot lead as McIlroy remained the only player in the eight-man field over par. At the next, a par three, McIlroy missed the green and made another bogey, while Woods rolled in a six-foot birdie putt to go five shots clear. McIlroy birdied two of the last three holes but Woods matched that and maintained his run of improving by three shots in each of his three matches. "I really hit it good out there," the 36-year-old world number two told reporters. "I missed a couple of putts so it could have been a really low number. "My game is starting to turn around a bit and I am beginning to hit it like I did at the start of the year." McIlroy, accompanied this week by girlfriend and tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, will receive a cheque for $300,000 for finishing joint last, and said: "I'm not that disappointed because I've got the afternoon off around the pool. I came here because I have never played in Turkey and there are a lot of good players here.

 "I thought it would be a fun week and it has been. I've now got four events left this year starting the week after next, defending my BMW Masters title in Shanghai." Meanwhile Westwood, one of three players resplendent in shorts at the Antalya Golf Club, was in fine form with the putter as he played the first nine holes in seven under, the highlight an eagle at the fifth when he drove to within 10 feet at the 373-yard par-four. He dropped his only shot of the round at the 11th but finished a comfortable five shots ahead of American Hunter Mahan, who ended without a point despite rounds of 67 and 69 this week. Rose was level with US Open champion Webb Simpson at seven under after 15 holes, before a two-shot swing at the par-five 16th, and a closing birdie gave the Englishman a nine-under total, the best of the week. Schwartzel recorded four birdies on each nine in an impressive 63 to defeat Matt Kuchar by two strokes.













 11 October 2012 Last updated at 10:17
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19908803

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Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray to win Shanghai Masters

Andy Murray failed in his bid to make it a hat-trick of titles at the Shanghai Masters after losing a three-set thriller to Novak Djokovic. 

  In their first meeting since Murray's win in the US Open final, Djokovic triumphed 5-7 7-6 (13-11) 6-3. Murray edged the first set, which had seven breaks of serve, with Djokovic reacting angrily by smashing a racket. Djokovic saved five match points in the second set before taking the tie-break and breaking Murray twice in the third. In a top-class match, the British world number three showed plenty of the form he displayed in beating world number one Roger Federer in Saturday's semi-finals but Djokovic - who had lost his last two matches against the Scot, at Flushing Meadows and in the Olympic semi-final at Wimbledon - threw everything at him. The second set was packed with drama, with Murray breaking to lead 4-3 and serving for the match at 5-4. But having saved his first match point, Djokovic levelled the set and then saved four more in a tie-break lasting more than 20 minutes, sealing the set with a volley that led to fist-pumping celebrations. With the momentum in his favour, Djokovic broke to go 4-3 up in the decider and broke Murray again in the ninth game when the Scot went long with a backhand. It ended Murray's winning run in Shanghai and gave Djokovic his fifth title of the year.

"It was a thrilling match [and] very long," said the Serb. "Three and a half hours for best of three is quite long. But I have got used to it. "Whenever I play Andy, I know it's going to be a gruelling fight with a lot of long rallies. It could have gone either way. Murray is a danger - Djokovic "I could not say I dominated the match because all three sets were very close and he had some match points. I could have easily been a runner-up today but I'm very proud of my fight." Murray said he was disappointed but paid tribute to Djokovic. "I've lost tougher matches than that before and I'm sure I will recover," he said. "But it was a top-quality match. Both of us played some unbelievable tennis at times. "It was literally the difference of one, two centimetres [between] winning the match and losing it. You have to put things into perspective. It was obviously a bit frustrating but it was so close and could have been a different outcome. "The third set, he played better than me. When I had my chances he served very well and hit the lines when he needed to. "Most of our games have been tight, close matches but I feel like my game is there."











14 October 2012 Last updated at 13:18
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19941370

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Ryder Cup: Jose Maria Olazabal rules out 2014 captaincy

Friday, October 5, 2012

Europe's winning Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal says he does not intend to skipper the side at Gleneagles in 2014.

  Olazabal masterminded Europe's historic comeback from 10-4 down to claim a 14½-13½ victory over the United States at Medinah. "Clearly I won't do it again," said the Spaniard, who believes several people could be suited to the role. "It would be unfair for me to just name one for the next Ryder Cup." Irishman Paul McGinley, one of Olazabal's vice-captains alongside Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Miguel Angel Jimenez, is the bookmakers' favourite to captain the side in Scotland in two years' time. Olazabal said Scot Paul Lawrie, part of the 2012 winning side, was another potential contender. "Once they do it there is Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington. There is a list of eight or nine guys that have a chance of doing it," he said. Olazabal, speaking at a news conference alongside Belgian player Nicolas Colsaerts, was asked a variety of questions. You can read his responses below... Olazabal on messages of congratulation "The King of Spain called me a few minutes ago and was pretty much over the moon, like me. There have been messages from sports guys like [tennis player Rafael] Nadal and lots from friends and family." On Rory McIlroy's late arrival Mcllroy was due to face Keegan Bradley at 11:25 local time but misread his tee time and made it to the course with just 10 minutes to spare after being given a lift in a police car. "We were a little concerned but we knew at 11:05 he was going to make it to the tee with no problems. That's why I was not all that tense. Luckily enough, a police car was there and he made it on time. It was no surprise at all he managed to win his point." Olazabal suggested McIlroy could have conceded the first hole had he failed to make the time. Asked what he would have said in that instance, the skipper said: "Get onto the second hole and win the damn point." On Seve Ballesteros The Europeans wore navy blue jumpers and white shirts, the colours most associated with Olazabal's great pal Ballesteros for Sunday's singles matches. The gesture was a tribute to the five-time major winner, who died in May last year after a long battle with a brain tumour. Olazabal said he took advice from Ballesteros about the Ryder Cup before he died. "We all know how great he was around the greens and maybe wherever he is, he put a little bit of magic onto the players." On Ian Poulter Poulter revived Europe's flagging hopes on Saturday with five birdies on the last five holes to win his fourballs match with McIlroy.

 The Englishman was the best performer for Europe, collecting four points. "For whatever reason, this event for him means so much. He thrives on it and it brings the best of him out on the course. In a way, he reminds me a lot of Seve - that intensity, that focus, that will to win a point. He will be a wonderful captain for sure in the future. He will need 12 players like him." On Tiger Woods The American's generous concession of a putt on the 18th green to Francesco Molinari gave Europe a half to seal outright victory. Some British bookmakers claimed the outcome cost them £500,000 in payouts to punters who had backed Europe to win. "He just let it go. There was no reason for them to keep on trying to win that point. They didn't have any chance to win the cup." On Martin Kaymer The former world number one held his nerve with a six-foot putt on the 18th to win his singles match against Steve Stricker and guarantee a tie. "He's a German. You can rely on German engineering these days." On favourite shot "It's hard to just pick one but I think the putt Poulter made on 18 on Saturday afternoon was huge. We all knew how important that was. If that didn't happen I don't think we'd have had a chance to win. It was crucial."













 2 October 2012 Last updated at 12:41 GMT
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19801219

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Laura Robson: China defeat sets back top-50 hopes

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Laura Robson's hopes of breaking into the world's top-50 for the first time suffered a setback when she was knocked out of the China Open in round two. 

The 18-year-old Briton was defeated 7-5 6-3 by Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino. An evenly matched opening set went with serve until Dominguez Lino converted the first break point of the contest in the very last game. Quick breaks saw the Spaniard take a 3-1 lead in the second and she wrapped up victory in just over 90 minutes. Robson, who won Olympic mixed doubles silver with Andy Murray this summer, has risen from world number 131 to 60 in a year and became the first British woman to reach a WTA final since 1990 when she was a runner-up at the Guangzhou Open in September. She also reached the fourth round of the US Open, before losing to defending champion Samantha Stosur. Robson returns to action at next week's HP Open in Osaka, Japan. Elsewhere in the women's event in Beijing, Chinese star Li Na brushed aside in-form Russian Nadia Petrova 6-1 6-2 to progress to the last 16.

It was the 2011 French Open champion's first win against Petrova, who won last week's Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, in seven attempts, a timely boost as she aims to qualify for the WTA Championships - featuring the world's top eight - in Istanbul later this month. Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli, two places behind Li in the race to qualify, German fifth seed Angelique Kerber and defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska also progressed. In the men's event, an out-of-sorts Novak Djokovic, playing his first match since losing to Andy Murray in the US Open final, required three sets to defeat German qualifier Michael Berrer. The world number two took the first set with ease but lost the second on a tie-break after several unforced errors against the left-hander, ranked 123rd in the world. But the Serb improved to take the decider and complete a 6-1 6-7 (3/7) 6-2 victory as he chases a third China Open title in three appearances, having won it in 2009 and 2010 before missing last year's event because of injury. Third seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also progressed but fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau was forced to retire shortly into the second set against Italian Andreas Seppi.












2 October 2012 Last updated at 09:15
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/19776437

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