March is a Monster Month of MMA Action on HDNet – Headlined by Affliction: Day of Reckoning
Explosive match-up between Fedor and Arlovski to air for the first time since the live pay-per-view event – exclusively on HDNet Friday, March 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET
For true MMA fans, HDNet is THE place to be this March as the network kicks off a full schedule of new MMA events, featuring the first cable network television broadcast of the blockbuster “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” event.
“Affliction: Day of Reckoning” was originally broadcast on pay-per-view and featured the long-awaited match-up between World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.
HDNet will air “Affliction: Day of Reckoning” on Friday, March 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET. The broadcast is part of an exclusive long-term partnership to air Affliction Entertainment events on HDNet in North America.
“HDNet Fights continues its mission to bring the best fighters in the world to HDNet,” said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. “After watching ‘Day of Reckoning,’ there is no doubt that Fedor is the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world. This event had the highest fighter payroll in MMA history – and the fighters delivered throughout the night.”
Also this March, HDNet will broadcast three new Mixed Martial Arts events.
On Saturday, March 14, at 9:00 p.m. ET HDNet will premiere “HDNet Fights Presents: HEIWA DREAM 7 Featherweight Grand Prix – 1st Round.” This event, taped in Japan on March 8, features Atsushi Yamamoto, Chase Beebe, Takafumi Otsuka, and Abel Cullum – plus the match-up between WAMMA World Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki and David Gardner.
Then, on Friday, March 20, it’s the debut of Sengoku as “HDNet Fights Presents: World Victory Road: Sengoku 7″ airing LIVE from Japan at midnight PT. The event will feature Hatsu Hioki, Hideki Kadowaki, L.C. Davis, Nick Denis, plus undefeated Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal takes on Ryo Kawamura. HDNet will also broadcast an encore presentation of this event at 10:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 20.
Finally, on Saturday, March 28, “HDNet Fights Presents: FieLDS K-1 World Grand Prix 2009.” This is the first event in 2009 of the much anticipated K-1 World Grand Prix. HDNet’s partnership kicked off late last year with the K-1 World Grand Prix Finals and has featured the best K-1 fighters in the world through the K-1 Classic series – airing Friday nights at 8:00 p.m. ET. Participants for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 include Remy Bonjasky, Badr Hari, Semmy Schilt, and Peter Aerts. Timing for this live broadcast will be announced at a later date.
These events and much, much more round out a full month of MMA action this March – making HDNet THE television destination for MMA fans!
Source: HDNet
Pennsylvania to Allow Mixed Martial Arts
State Athletic Commission’s Newly-Approved Regulations Take Effect Feb. 27
Pennsylvania has joined the growing number of states to allow Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, events, now that the State Athletic Commission has approved final regulations for the sport, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortes announced today. The new regulations take effect Feb. 27, 2009.
“I commend the work of the State Athletic Commission on the regulations, which were crafted to ensure participant and spectator safety,” Cortes said. “These efforts will assure licensure and testing of participants for communicable diseases, as well as require emergency medical care and insurance for participants. Regulation of the sport also will help ensure that events are orderly and crowd control is maintained.”
Cortes noted that MMA has actively sought regulation. Pennsylvania joins a growing number of states, including New Jersey, Ohio, Maryland, California, Nevada and Florida that permit Mixed Martial Arts.
The State Athletic Commission anticipates regulating four to five MMA events per month, which may generate as much as $80,000 per year in revenue for the commission. As a self-supporting entity, the State Athletic Commission receives no taxpayer dollars from the state’s General Fund.
The commission and staff worked for more than a year to prepare the final regulations, which are commensurate with current boxing rules. Health and safety of the fighters and public protection are key themes of the regulations. Many facets of the sport were addressed, including age and medical requirements, fees, promoter activity, and ring requirements.
The regulations require that all professional ($22 fee) and amateur ($10 fee) MMA fighters must be licensed and take a pre-fight physical exam by a commission-approved doctor. All fighters must be at least 18 years old. Other exams may also be required, particularly for boxers over the age of 36. All female fighters will be required to take a pregnancy test before each event. All fighters also must provide an annual physical (on a commission form) as well as a negative HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B exam at the time of licensing, and exams cannot be more than six months old. Insurance is required for all fighters and referees, and an ambulance and emergency personnel with emergency equipment must be at ringside at all times.
Highlights of the promoter regulations require that all promoters must have a valid promoter’s license from the commission, which costs $100 per year. All promoters must also complete a criminal background check on a form supplied by the commission (fee is $10). A surety bond of not less than $15,000 must be on file with the commission before an MMA event takes place.
As safety and fairness are primary concerns, specific requirements are also outlined for the ring. The ring must be at least 20 feet square and no larger than 32 feet square within the five-ring ropes. The ring floor must extend at least 18 inches beyond the ropes and must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform, with a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the ring platform. Material that gathers in lumps or ridges may not be used.
For cage events, the enclosed area must be circular or have at least six equal sides and be at least 20 feet wide and no larger than 32 feet wide. The floor of the caged area must be padded with Ensolite, vinyl or similar closed-cell foam, with at least a one-inch layer of foam padding. Foam padding must have a top covering of canvas, duck or similar material tightly stretched and laced to the platform of the caged area. Material that gathers in lumps or ridges may not be used.
To learn more about the State Athletic Commission, visit the Department of State’s Web site at www.dos.state.pa.us and select “State Athletic Commission” on the left navigation bar.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of State
John Hancock Financial Announces Top Contenders for 2009 Boston Marathon
2008 Chicago Winners, Olympians, and Additional Talent Join the Elite Team to Challenge Defending Champions
John Hancock Financial announced that the top contenders for the Boston Marathon this year include an elite group of Olympians, top Americans and international marathon winners. These athletes will challenge four-time winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya and defending women’s champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia at the 113th running of the race on April 20.
The top male contenders include 2008 Chicago champion Evans Cheruiyot of Kenya, Olympian and 2009 Houston winner Deriba Merga of Ethiopia, and top American and Olympian Ryan Hall.
Evans Cheruiyot ran to a 2:06:25 commanding lead in an unseasonably hot Chicago this past fall and in 2007 won the Milan City Marathon in his debut.
Merga shattered the 20-year-old Houston course record by more than two minutes in January, and he placed fourth in the Beijing Olympic Marathon.
Hall’s efforts last year included a 2:06:17 run in London and a tenth place in the Olympic Marathon. He is the American half-marathoner record holder and currently the fastest American marathoner.
Added to John Hancock’s elite team and chasing the trio are Daniel Rono of Kenya, with seven top-three finishes in international marathons, including third in New York City last year; Robert Kiprono (Cheruiyot) of Kenya, who debuted last year with a 2:07:21 course record in Frankfurt and Gashaw Asfaw of Ethiopia, who was first in Shanghai, seventh at the Olympic Marathon and fourth in Boston in 2008.
American Olympian Brian Sell will also challenge, as will American Jason Lehmkuhle. Sell has experience in Boston, having finished fourth in 2006, and Lehmkuhle brings potential with a fifth at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Additional men returning with experience are 2004 Boston champion Timothy Cherigat and 2007 third place finisher Stephen Kiogora, both of Kenya. Newcomers on the course include 2008 JoongAng Seoul Marathon winner Solomon Molla of Ethiopia, Lee Troop of Australia, and debut marathoner Abebe Dinkesa of Ethiopia.
In the women’s race, defending champion Dire Tune of Ethiopia will face 2008 Chicago and 2007 Boston champion Lidiya Grigoryeva of Russia, as well as her teammates Galina Bogolomova, the Russian national record holder (2:20:47), and Olympic steeplechaser and World Championships silver medalist Tatyana Petrova.
Also in contention for the win are 2009 Dubai winner Bezunesh Bekele of Ethiopia, seasoned marathoner and Olympian Salina Kosgei of Kenya, and leading American Kara Goucher. In New York City this past fall, Goucher ran the fastest American debut of all time recording a 2:25:53 over the challenging course. She also competed in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Beijing Olympic Games, finishing ninth and tenth respectively.
Chasing these women are Helena Kirop of Kenya, third in Berlin the past two years; Atsede Habtamu of Ethiopia, runner up in her debut in Dubai this year; Alice Timbilili of Kenya and American and two-time Olympian Elva Dryer.
John Hancock, now in its 24th year as the major sponsor of the Boston Marathon, will announce its complete international elite team in March.
Source: John Hancock Financial Services
New Study Finds 38 percent of Hispanics are NASCAR Fans, but Engagement is the Opportunity
Breakthrough report from Knowledge Networks, rEvolution shows “socializing” NASCAR among Hispanics is crucial to driving engagement
Hispanics are America’s fastest growing demographic – and, according to a just-released report from rEvolution and Knowledge Networks, 38% of U.S. Latinos say they are at least “Casual” Fans of NASCAR. But Hispanics have not learned to love the sport at the same pace as the general population, with just 7% saying they are “Avid” Fans (“very interested”). This first authoritative, in-depth study of Hispanic NASCAR Fans provides insights into the cultural values and preferences of U.S. Latinos related to the sport – and how these point to key actions for expanding Latino involvement with NASCAR.
Hispanic NASCAR Fans: Breaking Through to Deeper Engagement is based on the most in-depth study to date of U.S. Hispanic NASCAR fans and non-fans from different acculturation levels. The study was coproduced by leading independent sports marketing agency rEvolution and Top 25 market research firm Knowledge Networks. Research was conducted on KnowledgePanel Latino(SM), the only online research panel to represent a statistically balanced view of the U.S. Hispanic population, including those who do not have Internet access, and both predominantly Spanish-speaking and English -speaking homes.
“This was an extremely valuable and informative quantitative study for us,” said Brian Moyer, NASCAR’s Managing Director of Market and Media Research. “There were a number of critical learnings that will inform our multi-cultural strategy and stakeholders going forward.”
By looking closely at the NASCAR likes and dislikes of U.S. Hispanics, the report provides key guidance for NASCAR itself and its sponsors. And those fans are well worth targeting; rEvolution/Knowledge Networks research on other sports shows that Hispanic fans have a higher-than-average emotional attachment to sponsors and a greater-than-average desire to reward them with their business.
Findings from the new report lead to the following important conclusions
Know your Casual Fans: Two-thirds (67%) of Hispanic NASCAR fans are only “a little bit” interested in the sport; and the demographics of Casual Fans are much different from Avid Fans – so growing the fan base by catering to existing Hispanic devotees will not work.
Socialize it: Hispanic fans relate to NASCAR in a more isolated way – by themselves, through TV at home or video games, for example – and don’t feel the sense of community that has helped make NASCAR a draw for Caucasian fans. The more you can do to socialize the NASCAR experience for Hispanics, the better.
Focus on speed: The speed of stock cars racing around the track is one of NASCAR’s main draws for Hispanic fans; 59% say they were first attracted to the sport by the speed of the cars. So promotions and advertising campaigns that emphasize the speed of the cars may have an advantage with this group.
A good driver is a winning driver: Since they’re so much less engaged with the sport, most Hispanic fans don’t even have a favorite driver – a major difference from NASCAR fans in general. Those few Hispanics who do have a favorite driver gravitate to winners; whether the driver is Hispanic is, for the most part, a secondary concern.
“This report helps shatter some misconceptions about Hispanic Fans and allows agencies like rEvolution to create solid marketing programs to energize NASCAR’s Latino fan-base,” said rEvolution’s President, John Rowady.
Hispanic NASCAR Fans: Breaking Through to Deeper Engagement is based on findings from a nationally representative sample of 661 Hispanic NASCAR Fans and 680 Hispanic Non-Fans and was conducted in November, 2008.
Knowledge Networks specializes in solving complex, high-impact problems, providing extraordinary quality and service to leaders in business, government and academia. We work closely with clients to create healthy consumer-brand connections, effective marketing and advertising, sound public policies, and accurate social science research. We have established respected practices in media, marketing, advertising, and government & academic studies. KN excels in study design, analytics, and custom panel creation; we deliver affordable, statistically valid online research through KnowledgePanel(R) – the only available probability selected, nationally representative Internet panel. For more information, go to www.knowledgenetworks.com.
rEvolution is an independent and fully-integrated sports marketing and media services agency. Chicago-based with an international vision and reputation, rEvolution joins forces with its clients in creating and implementing innovative business-building marketing programs through sport. rEvolution’s integrated services environment includes: sponsorship, media buying and planning, promotion, event management, hospitality, mobile marketing, software solutions, research and measurement. rEvolution’s team of industry experts specialize in action/youth sports, collegiate sports, international sports, lifestyle sports, motorsports, and professional sports. In 2007 and 2008, rEvolution was selected as a top agency on Event Marketer magazine’s “RFP Hit List,” as well as one of PROMO magazine’s “PROMO 100″ agencies. More information about rEvolution and the unique experiences created and executed for corporations is available at http://www.revolutionworld.com/.
2nd Annual Stater Bros. Charities Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge to Include 9 Golf Professionals and 5 Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
Stater Bros. Charities’ largest charity event of the year will take place at the prestigious Victoria Club in Riverside, California
Last year, Stater Bros. Supermarket’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jack H. Brown partnered with long-time friend and PGA Champions Tour Pro Dave Stockton to launch one of the largest charity golf tournaments in the region, the Stater Bros. Charities Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge, which generated more than $427,000 for local charities. This year, the legacy continues with the 2nd Annual Stater Bros. Charities Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge taking place on Monday, March 2, 2009 at the Victoria Club in Riverside, California and will include a line up that reaches far beyond the realm of the Inland Empire.
The Heroes Challenge will be limited to 128 players who will compete for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place and consist of seven of Stockton’s PGA Tour friends including but not limited to:
Donna Caponi-Byrnes - Byrnes is a Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and is a 24-Time Winner on the LPGA Tour which includes four major championships: 1969 & 1970 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1979 & 1981 LPGA Championships. She is currently working as a color-analyst for The Golf Channel.
John Cook – Cook finished #5 on the Champions Tour Money List for 2008 after playing 26 events and 15 top 10 finishes. Cook has over 11 PGA Tour Victories and 2 wins on the Champions Tour, both at the AT&T Championship.
Hubert Green - Green is a Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and is a 19-Time Winner on the PGA Tour including 2 major championships: 1977 U.S. Open Championship and 1985 PGA Championship.
Gary McCord – McCord was on the PGA Tour from 1974 to 1998 with two dozen top ten finishes and has been the official Golf Analyst for CBS Sports since 1986.
In addition, Brown and Stockton have invited five Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients to participate in a weekend of events including a visit to the ROTC Riverside Unit on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Both Brown and Stockton were born and raised in San Bernardino, California and have been proud residents of the Inland Empire for most of their lives. Because of their close ties to the community, Brown and Stockton feel a great desire to give back to the Inland Empire. The proceeds from this Tournament will go directly to the critical needs facing the areas Stater Bros. is privileged to serve.
Dave Stockton, Honorary Tournament Chairman: Stockton’s resume in golf makes him one of the most accomplished PGA Golf Professionals, and his status as a local hero makes him the perfect Honorary Tournament Chairman for the new Stater Bros. charity golf event. Dave Stockton turned professional in 1964 and joined the PGA Champions Tour after serving as Captain for the victorious Ryder Cup team in 1991 at Kiawah. He accrued 14 Champions Tour victories, including the U.S. Senior Open and twice winning the Ford Senior Players Championship. Stockton also claims 10 PGA Tour victories (winning the PGA Championship in both 1970 & 1976). He became well known in the 1970′s and 80′s for doing up to 90 corporate outings a year and was crowned “King of Corporate Outings” as a result. Last year, Stockton served as the Assistant Captain to the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Stater Bros. Charities: Since 1936, Stater Bros. Markets has been a pillar of support in the community. Last year, Stater Bros. established, Stater Bros. Charities, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The purpose of Stater Bros. Charities is to give back to the communities Stater Bros. Markets is privileged to serve. In 2008 Stater Bros. Charities donated $1.4 million to local causes. With an emphasis on programs that benefit hunger relief, children’s welfare, education for both youth and adults, services for the elderly and care for our Nation’s Veterans, Stater Bros. Charities will be able to help with some of the most critical needs facing this region.
Stater Bros. Markets: Stater Bros. Markets was founded in 1936 in Yucaipa, California, and has grown steadily through the years to become the largest privately owned Supermarket Chain in Southern California and the largest employer in both San Bernardino County and Riverside County, with annual sales in 2008 of $3.74 billion. The Company currently operates 165 Supermarkets, and there are over 19,000 members of the Stater Bros. “Family” of Employees.
STATER BROS. CHARITIES PROVIDES PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT TO APPROVED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA