DC Bike Ride Returns on May 19th, 2018

20 mile, car free, unique tour of the nation’s capital.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – DC Bike Ride, a closed-road, recreational bicycle event that celebrates bicycling as a form of healthy living, fitness, transportation and fun, returns to the District this May, inviting residents and tourists to make this a favorite Spring tradition.

Registration for the May 19, 2018 event opens February 1 at www.dcbikeride.com, offering registrants an opportunity to take advantage of discounted early bird pricing through the month of February. The event is family-friendly with family pricing available. The 20-mile ride will feature on-course entertainment, music and rest stops.

Now in its third year, DC Bike Ride expects to attract upwards of 8,000 registrants, offering all a unique car-free tour of the nation’s capital. Bicycle rentals will be available from Bike and Roll DC. Participants will cruise on closed-roads past some of DC’s most famous sites, taking in everything from the Washington Monument and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to a traffic-free Whitehurst Freeway.

“We are thrilled to once again bring DC Bike Ride to the nation’s capital,” Capital Sports Ventures’ Chief Executive Officer Greg Bibb stated. “The third year of our celebration on two wheels promises to be the best yet as DCBR provides bicyclists of all ages and abilities the opportunity to experience our world class city in a unique, car-free way.”

Washington, D.C. provides the perfect backdrop for a one-of-a-kind event. The District was recently voted by Forbes as one of the “10 Most Bike-Friendly Cities In America,” and by Travel Channel as one of the “Top 13 Cycling Cities in the US.” Ratings were based on metrics including bike lanes, hills, bike share programs, destinations and road connectivity.

“We are very proud to be continuing our partnership with DC Bike Ride for the third year in a row” said Jon Kromm, vice president of strategic market research and product development at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. “Since its inaugural year, we have seen continued growth and excitement around this event with this year trending to do the same. More importantly, we are happy to support an event which promotes spending time with family and friends by engaging in a healthy activity in a safe environment.”

DC Bike Ride concludes with an iconic post-ride festival between the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall on 3rd St SW. The DC Bike Ride Finish Festival is open to the public and features live music, entertainment, food trucks and activities for all ages. Past performers have included Questlove, Biz Markie and White Ford Bronco.

“Events DC is proud to continue as a presenting partner of the 2018 DC Bike Ride,” said Erik A. Moses, senior vice president and managing director of sports, entertainment, and special events at Events DC. “Each year, DC Bike Ride brings together cycling enthusiasts from across the region for a one-of-a-kind experience that is as stimulating as a traditional endurance event, with the unique integration of site-seeing in our nation’s capital.”

A true member of the bicycling community, DC Bike Ride will continue its commitment to improving bicycling across the Washington Metropolitan Region by providing a grant to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the region’s bicycle advocacy and education non-profit, to support their work around Vision Zero, a long-term street safety initiative to end traffic deaths and major injuries for all road-users. Over the past two events, DC Bike Ride has raised more than $72,000 for WABA.

REGISTRATION:

Early Bird Registration for DC Bike Ride presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Events DC is available February 1 through February 28 at dcbikeride.com. Early bird adult registration costs $50. Youth ages three to seven are free and youth ages eight to 17 are half-price. Standard Registration, starting at $60, begins on March 1. VIP Registration and group pricing are also available.

2018 COURSE:

Visit dcbikeride.com/course to view the official 2018 Course Map.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Fans can follow DC Bike Ride on twitter / facebook / instagram and #DCBikeRide for updates and bicycling tips.

Winners of US Golf service award announced

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J.  – In recognition of outstanding contributions to the game of golf, the United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced its annual Service Awards winners. The individuals will be recognized on Saturday, Feb. 3during a gala dinner at the USGA Annual Meeting in Miami, Fla.

This year’s USGA Service Awards celebrate the leadership, dedication and exemplary efforts of 26 individuals who have devoted their time and talents to serve the game.

“These extraordinary individuals are committed to leading with impact in their communities,” said Mike Davis, USGA CEO/Executive Director. “The USGA is proud to recognize them for their achievements and contributions to the game.”

Award winners include the following:

Gilbert “Gib” Palmer, Joe Dey Award

Presented annually since 1996, the Joe Dey Award recognizes an individual’s meritorious service to the game as a volunteer. The award is named for the late Joseph C. Dey Jr., who served as USGA executive director from 1934-1969 before becoming the first commissioner of the PGA Tour.

This year’s honoree, Gib Palmer, of Midlothian, Va., has served on the USGA’s Junior Championship Committee since 1996. During that time, he has served as a Rules official at nearly 20 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships while also volunteering at numerous other USGA championships. Palmer’s father gave him his first set of golf clubs, and he has been invested in the game since that moment. He also serves as an instrumental leader of the Virginia State Golf Association and the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame – an organization he helped establish.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Dey many years ago and there is no one who better represented integrity, honesty and respect for the game,” said Palmer. “To be associated with his reputation is a tremendous honor and I’m incredibly thankful for this recognition.”

Dr. Lane Demas, Herbert Warren Wind Book Award

Established in 1987, the Herbert Warren Wind Book Award recognizes and honors outstanding contributions to golf literature while seeking to broaden the public’s interest in, and knowledge of, the game of golf. Wind, who died in 2005, was a renowned writer for The New Yorker and Sports Illustrated. He is the only writer to win the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor.

Game of Privilege: An African American History of Golf, authored by this year’s recipient, Dr. Lane Demas, is a groundbreaking exploration of the role of race, class and access to the game of golf. Dr. Demas details the history of black golfers during the age of segregation, the legal battle to integrate public golf courses, and the little-known history of the United Golfers Association, an all-black golf tour that operated from 1925 to 1975.

“I’m proud of the fact that this book provides a narrative and historical content that’s accessible to everyone, especially the everyday golf fan,” said Dr. Demas. “It’s very humbling to receive this prestigious award and be recognized by a premier organization such as the USGA.”

Tim Hiers, Green Section Award 

Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes an individual’s distinguished service to the game of golf through his or her work with turfgrass, including research, maintenance and other areas that positively impact the landscape upon which golf is played.

The 2018 recipient, Tim Hiers, has been a golf course superintendent since 1976 and currently serves as the director of agronomy at The Club at Mediterra in Naples, Fla. Hiers stands at the forefront of golf’s environmental opportunities and challenges, while also driving advances in golf course management. An avid and articulate educator, he frequently hosts visitors ranging from school field trips to scientists and government officials.

“I learned to play golf on a cow pasture and I’ve been hooked on the game ever since,” said Hiers. “In this business, you can never learn enough. There’s always a challenge, and that’s what I love about being a superintendent. It’s a privilege to be recognized for just doing what you love every day.”

Isaac B. Grainger Awards

Established in 1995 as part of the USGA’s Centennial Celebration, the Isaac B. Grainger Award recognizes volunteers who have provided 25 years of service to the Association. Grainger served as USGA president from 1954-1955 and led the USGA effort to develop the first unified code of the Rules of Golf with The R&A in 1951.

Honorees include:

Craig Ammerman, of Tequesta, Fla.; Lee Coble, of Richmond, Va.; Richard Coon, of Amarillo, Texas; Kirke Doreweiler, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Sheri Erskine, of San Ramon, Calif.; Sarah M. Haas, of Carterville, Ill.; John A. Hendry, of Lafayette, La.; Fay Ann Kikta, of Titusville, Fla.; Jeffrey S. Kuhn, of Houston, Texas; James M. Litvack, of Princeton, N.J.; Robert Markionni, of Lemont, Ill.; Martha Jett McAlister, of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; Mary Bea Porter-King, of Lihue, Hawaii; John T. Reis, of Paradise Valley, Ariz.; William K. Smith, of Baltimore, Md.; Rick Soskin, of Minnetonka, Minn.; Stephen L. Stine, of Sheridan, Wyo.; Judith L. Stine, of Sheridan, Wyo.; Mary Swingle, of Anthem, Ariz.; Sally Tomlinson, of Walnut Creek, Calif.; J. Daniel Walsh, of Stony Brook, N.Y.; Henri Wolbrette III, of Metairie, La.; and John S. Zoller, of Portland, Ore.

For more information, please visit http://www.usga.org.

Two Indian players named for US Zalmi squad for Global Zalmi League

Houstn, TX – US Zalmi announces squad for Global Zalmi League, Muhammad Naeem named Captain of the side, two Indian players also included .

US Zalmi has announced their 16 member Squad for the upcoming Global Zalmi League. The experienced Muhammad Naeem has been picked to lead the side, which will be in the UAE to compete against 15 other teams from all across the world in the much awaited Global Zalmi League. two Indian players, Varun Reddy and Sundanshu Mahajan, have also been included in the team for the mega event.

The complete squad is as follows: Fayaz Khan (President), Raheel Anwar (Manager/Coach), Mohammad Naeem (Captain), Abdullah Nazari (VC), Varun Reddy (WK), Waseem Shazhed, Zia Khan, Tariq Farooqui, Usman Shahid, Shaheer Hassan, Usman Ashraf, Talib Naqvi, Hammad Qureshi, Jahanzaib Khan, Ilias Nazari, Fahad Babar, Sudhanshu Mahajan, and Syed Abdullah.

Peshawar Zalmi USA representative Fayaz Khalil has wished the side the very best and  appreciated the platform that the Global Zalmi League is all set to provide.

He also added that Global Zalmi League has succeeded the Zalmi World Cup, both of which are initiatives taken by Peshawar Zalmi to realize their vision of the development of cricket and the betterment of young cricketing talent.

The tournament will kick off on the 11th of February, lasting for 9 days, until the 19th. It’s all set to be played in Ajman, UAE.

World’s Best Athletes and Squads To Compete In 2018 Major League Triathlon Series

Charlotte, NC – Major League Triathlon is proud to announce new squad-based teams and franchises for 2018. Major League Triathlon will welcome 5 squads and 3 composite teams for the 2018 season.

“This new squad based system will bring the World’s top athletes to MLT”, said Daniel Cassidy, CEO of Major League Triathlon. “We will have virtually every single USA athlete that is favored to race in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the league this year. We will also have some of the top international athletes competing, including the reigning World Champions of Mixed Team Relay, the Australians.”

MLT teams will carry a roster with a minimum of 6 athletes. During each round of the series, the top 4 athletes from each team will compete.

The following squads will race for MLT:

1. San Diego Stingrays- Represented by Paulo Sousa’s Squad
2. Arizona Kingsnakes- Represented by Jono Hall’s Squad
3. Colorado Peaks– Represented by Neal Henderson’s Squad
4. Toronto Freeze – Represented by Craig Taylor’s Squad
5. Atlantic City Waves – Represented by Ian O’Brien’s Squad
6. Carolina Gliders – Represented by Composite Team #1 (Captain Ben Kanute)
7. Florida Sun- Represented by Composite Team #2 (Captain John O’Neill)
8. Australian Franchise-TBA– Represented by an Australian Composite Squad

MLT rosters will have the top ranked US Male athletes including, but not limited to:

Ben Kanute
Matt McElroy
Kevin McDowell
Eric Lagerstrom
Eli Hemming
Jason West

MLT rosters will also have some of the top US Female athletes including, but not limited to:

Summer Cook
Taylor Spivey
Lindsey Jerdonek
Tamara Gorman 
Chelsea Burns

Beyond the US based powerhouse athletes, MLT will also feature international stars on team rosters, including:  

Paula Findlay
Dominika Jamnicky
Joanna Brown
Matt Sharpe
Tyler Mislawchuk
Jason Wilson

In addition, Major League Triathlon will be offering amateur ambassador teams for fans and athletes to support and interact with their local pro team franchise. MLT will be releasing more information about amateur ambassador teams in the coming weeks.

Major League Triathlon

Major League Triathlon is the first and only professional triathlon league in the United States. Major League Triathlon hosts races in major cities across the United States. Major League Triathlon was formed in 2016 with the goal of creating a more spectator-friendly version of triathlon. Major League Triathlon aims to grow the sport of triathlon on both an amateur and professional level. For a complete list of Major League Triathlon events, visit www.majorleaguetri.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Balance 4500 pairs shoe to be distributed among New Yark road runners

New York –  New York Road Runners (NYRR) and New Balance today announced plans to celebrate the first year of their 1 for You 1 for Youth program with a special “Winterfest” shoe distribution this Saturday at City Field. At the distribution, more than 500 Rising New York Road Runners from 13 public schools across New York City’s five boroughs will be surprised with a brand-new pair of New Balance running shoes and will be able to test them out with a series of activities.

Launched in January 2017, 1 for You 1 for Youth is a joint initiative by NYRR and New Balance to provide young runners with new high-quality running shoes. The program’s launch coincided with the opening of the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, a community running center located in Manhattan near Central Park. For each pair of shoes purchased at the New Balance Run Hub, New Balance will donate a pair of running shoes to NYRR’s youth programs. In turn, New York Road Runners distributes the running shoes to participants in their free youth running programs.*

“Beyond inspiring youth across the country to get moving, 1 for You 1 for Youth provides kids with high-quality New Balance running shoes, and by extension access to the sport of running to improve their health and fitness,” said Michael Capiraso, president and CEO at NYRR. “New York Road Runners and New Balance share a commitment to encourage the next generation of runners, and this program was a natural step for our year-round partnership.”

“One of the many shared values New Balance has with New York Road Runners is giving back to the communities in which we are a part,” said Rob DeMartini, president and CEO at New Balance.  “We are extremely proud of the success to date of 1 for You 1 for Youth in supporting youth running.”

Since its inception, more than 4,500 pairs of New Balance Running shoes have been distributed to young runners across the country through 1 for You 1 for Youth. The recipients of the shoes have all been participants in NYRR’s free youth fitness programs including Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR’s flagship youth program, Run for the Future, a scholarship program designed to introduce young women from across New York City to the sport of running, and the Youth Wheelchair Training Program, which introduces young athletes to the sport through the support of a racing wheelchair.

Throughout the first year of the joint program, NYRR and New Balance hosted nearly 20 shoe distribution events to deliver the free running shoes directly to the young runners. On a number of occasions, the organizations were joined by notable members of Team New Balance, including New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and Olympic medalist and six-time New Balance 5th Avenue Mile champion Jenny Simpson, who also serves as Ambassador & Special Advisor to the Rising New York Road Runners program.

For nearly 20 years, New York Road Runners has offered free youth fitness programs and today annually serves 267,000 youth nationally, including 134,000 across New York City’s five boroughs. Since 2007, NYRR has distributed more than 12,500 pairs of running shoes to participants in its national free youth fitness programs.

NYRR’s youth programs are supported by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Premier Partner of NYRR and NYRR youth and community programs and the title sponsor of the TCS New York City Marathon; New Balance, the Official Athletic Footwear and Apparel Partner of NYRR; the New Balance Foundation; and the Fairway Community Foundation. For more information on Rising New York Road Runners please visit rising.nyrr.org. 

New York Road Runners (NYRR) 
In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, youth running initiatives, school programs, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners.  To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org. 

*In 2018, for every pair of athletic shoes sold to a customer at the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the NB Run Hub in New York City, New Balance shall donate a pair of new athletic shoes to New York Road Runners, a 501(c)(3) public charity, for the benefit of a New York Road Runners supported youth program, up to a maximum value of $300,000 based on New Balance’s then current cost. For more information about New York Road Runners visit http://www.nyrr.org.

US gymnastics coach Larry Nassar sentenced for assaulting female gymnasts

LANSING, Mich. –One of the first athletes to accuse Larry Nassar of sexual assault confronted him Wednesday in a Michigan courtroom where the former sports doctor was due to the sentenced for years of molesting Olympic gymnasts and other young women.

The last of more than 150 victims to offer statements at Nassar’s sentencing hearing was a Kentucky lawyer who stepped forward in 2016 after USA Gymnastics was accused of mishandling complaints of sexual assault.Rachael Denhollander said Nassar groped, fondled and penetrated her with his hands when she was a 15-year-old gymnast in Michigan. Denhollander’s statements to Michigan State University police put the criminal investigation in high gear in 2016.

“You have become a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires,” she told Nassar, who worked at the university and USA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body, which also trains Olympians.

Nassar faces a minimum prison term of 25 to 40 years when he is sentenced later Wednesday by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina.

The sentence will cap a remarkable seven-day hearing that has given the girls, young women and their parents a chance to confront the doctor in court.

Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty to assaulting seven people in the Lansing area, but the sentencing hearing has been open to anyone who said they were a victim. His accusers said he would use his ungloved hands to penetrate them, often without explanation, while they were on a table seeking help for various injuries.

The accusers, many of whom were children, said they trusted Nassar to care for them properly, were in denial about what was happening or were afraid to speak up. He sometimes used a sheet or his body to block the view of any parent in the room.

“I’d been told during my entire gymnastics career to not question authority,” a former elite gymnast, Isabell Hutchins, said Tuesday.

The judge is likely to be unsparing in her treatment of Nassar. Aquilina has praised the victims who have appeared in her court since Jan. 16, calling them “sister survivors,” while also assuring them that their perpetrator will pay. The women have included Olympians Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney.

“Your words are vital. They are as strong as your martial arts,” Aquilina told Christina Barba, who has known Nassar for decades and practices karate. “They will take him down quicker and cleaner than any kick you’ve got.”

Hutchins and Mattie Larson, a former national gymnast, talked about how Nassar won their allegiance with candy, Olympic trinkets and encouraging words while they were under constant scrutiny from their demanding coaches.

Brooke Hylek, a gymnast who plans to compete in college, heaped scorn on Nassar.

“I cannot believe I ever trusted you, and I will never forgive you,” she said Tuesday. “I’m happy you will be spending the rest of your life in prison. Enjoy hell by the way.”

Emily Morales had a softer message.

“I want you to apologize to me right here,” the 18-year-old told Nassar. “I want to forgive you, but I also want to hear you tell me that you regret all the hurting you caused.”

He did. She replied with, “Thank you.”

Nassar has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes. He is scheduled to be sentenced next week on more assault convictions in Eaton County, Michigan.

AP

Ex USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry appeared in Michigan court

Michigan – Former USA Gymnastic team doctor Larry Nassar, accused of sexually assaulting dozens women and girls, pleaded guilty Wednesday to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in a Michigan court.

Three of those charges applied to victims under 13, and three applied to victims 13 to 15 years old. Other charges were dismissed or reduced as part of a plea agreement. All 125 victims who reported assaults to Michigan State Police will be allowed to give victim impact statements at Nassar’s sentencing, according to the plea deal.

Nassar made a short statement apologizing and saying he was hopeful the community could move forward.

“For all those involved, I’m so horribly sorry that this was like a match that turned into a forest fire out of control,” he said. “I have no animosity toward anyone. I just want healing. … We need to move forward in a sense of growth and healing and I pray (for) that.”

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said Nassar violated the trust of his patients and praised the victims for coming forward.

“You violated the oath that you took to do no harm, and you harmed them selfishly,” Aquilina said. “They are superheroes for all of America because this is an epidemic.”

In all, Nassar had been charged with 22 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and 11 counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct at the state level, Megan Hawthorne, deputy press secretary for state Attorney General Bill Schuette, told CNN in July.

A number of women, including several gold-medal winning members of the famed “Fierce Five” team of American gymnasts, have accused Nassar of sexual misconduct in his role as the USA Gymnastics doctor.

Nassar was the team physician for the Michigan State University gymnastics and women’s crew teams as well as an associate professor at MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He worked at MSU from 1997 to 2016 and served as the USA Gymnastics physician through four Olympic Games.

Several of the first-degree charges pertained to victims under 13, and all of the state-level charges involve former family friends, gymnasts and patients of Nassar, Hawthorne said.

Separately, Nassar is also awaiting sentencing on federal charges of receiving child pornography, possessing child pornography and a charge that he hid and destroyed evidence in the case. That hearing is scheduled for Monday.

CNN

New professional cricket league in the United States

Dallas-Fort Worth could get another major sports team added to its roster as part of a $2.4 billion venture to launch another U.S. sports league, which would be the biggest pitch since Major League Soccer.

Global Sports Ventures LLC, which announced it planned on establishing a professional cricket league in the United States, hired JLL’s sports and entertainment group to find attractive development sites in eight U.S. cities, including Dallas-Fort Worth.

This is a prototype for the type of stadium and mixed-use development U.S. professional… more

GLOBAL SPORTS VENTURES

If the sites are found, these cities could be home to a cricket-specific stadium and a mixed-use development as early as 2020.

“We know our plans are ambitious, and GSV is committed to launching a professional cricket league in the U.S. by 2020,” said Global Sports Ventures Chairman Jignesh “Jay” Pandya, in a statement.

“JLL will be a key partner in this endeavor,” he added. “We are quite impressed with the job they did the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Bank and The Battery, and other similar stadium centric assignments across the country.”

Dallas-Fort Worth will be a big contender for the planned Texas charter location. Other charter cities or regions include: New York, New Jersey, Florida, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Illinois and California.

Upon its launch in 2020, the U.S. Cricket League plans to expand in four to six additional markets.

The first eight stadiums and their surrounding developments are expected to cost Global Sports Ventures $2.4 billion and create 17,000 jobs. Each development could have a cricket stadium, club house, restaurants, hotels, retail, residential and office space.

JLL’s International Director David Demarest said the brokerage firm has already begun its site selection and is reviewing multiple sites within the targeted cities.

The stadiums are expected to cost $70 million to $125 million, with ancillary costs of $80 million to $100 million for the mixed-use developments accompanying the cricket stadiums. The initial sites are expected to be targeted in the near future, he said.

Each cricket-anchored development will create hundreds of temporary and permanent jobs to the local economies and enhance the overall infrastructure for each community,” Demarest said.

JLL’s sports and entertainment group represented the entire spectrum of services tied to the Atlanta Braves real estate deal, which includes SunTrust Park and an adjacent mixed-use developed called The Battery.

MLB All-Star Week to celebrate and broadcast LIVE in Miami

SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK: TuneIn, the official streaming audio partner of Major League Baseball, is celebrating MLB All-Star Week and one of the most exciting moments in sports – the home run – during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. Celebrating the season of the long ball, TuneIn and MLB will launch the TuneIn MLB Going Gone Giveaway during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, rewarding fans FREE Premium audio of MLB on TuneIn.

During the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, the TuneIn MLB Going Gone Giveaway will offer fans TuneIn Premium MLB play-by-play, which features every team’s home call, for the following home runs hit:

• Five FREE days of Premium MLB content for 100 cumulative home runs hit
• Seven FREE days of Premium MLB content for 150 cumulative home runs hit
• 10 FREE days of Premium MLB content for 200 cumulative home runs hit

Through the TuneIn MLB Going Gone Giveaway, fans can listen to Premium audio coverage of their favorite MLB teams for FREE after the MLB All-Star break, beginning July 14.

The T-Mobile Home Run Derby will feature some of baseball’s best long ball hitters, including Miami’sGiancarlo Stanton in his home stadium, New York Yankees sensation Aaron Judge, L.A. Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger, Twins slugger Miguel Sano, Gary Sanchez of the NY Yankees, Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon, Kansas City Royal Mike Moustakas and Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins.

“The audio of a home run call is one of the most captivating moments in sports, and TuneIn is celebrating the long ball with MLB,” said TuneIn Vice President of Marketing, Scott Parker. “We’re excited to give a gift to fans around the world of the ultimate listening experience during one of the most exciting events in sports, the T-Mobile Home Run Derby. This is a great opportunity to showcase TuneIn’s offerings and celebrate baseball by giving all fans access to free MLB play-by play for the start of the second half of the season through TuneIn’s MLB Going Gone Giveaway. With the lineup MLB has put together for the event, we can’t wait to see all the home runs, and join in on the celebration of the long ball.”

“We’re in the live-ball era. It’s been the season of the home run. TuneIn is adding another level of excitement for fans to bring them every exciting home call,” said TuneIn ambassador, Hall of Famer, and MLB Home Derby Champion Frank Thomas. “I wish all the T-Mobile Home Run contenders best of luck and hope fans can receive the ultimate unlock package, 10 days of FREE TuneIn Premium MLB audio with 200 homeruns!”

TuneIn will also feature wall-to-wall coverage of MLB All-Star programming live from Miami, giving baseball fans from around the world the opportunity to listen to the sounds of the game through the TuneIn app. The 2017 season marks the second full season of TuneIn’s partnership with MLB, giving TuneIn Premium subscribers access to the home call and play-by-play of every game for every team.

As part of its MLB All-Star activity in Miami, TuneIn will broadcast live at the ESPN set at the Clevelander Miami with a full lineup of MLB programming and talent on MLB At the Plate. Host Holden Kushner and a star-studded cast of analysts, including World Series Champion Jeff Nelson and former catcher JP Arencibia, will provide listeners best-in-class coverage of MLB All-Star Week with interviews, highlights, analysis, recaps and more.

In addition to All-Star Week programming, TuneIn is home to a dedicated 24/7 “MLB on TuneIn” station that features the audio simulcasts of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk, game recaps and encore episodes of MLB At the Plate.

Listeners can access MLB coverage on TuneIn via TuneIn.com or by downloading the TuneIn app for iOSor Android devices.

About TuneIn
TuneIn is the most popular way to listen to streaming audio from around the world. With more than 60 million monthly active users, TuneIn lets people listen to the world’s sports, news, talk and music from wherever they are. TuneIn has more than 100,000 radio stations and 5.7 million on-demand programs stemming from every continent, and is available for free across many connected devices. TuneIn Premium lets subscribers listen to the NBA, NFL, MLB, more than 60,000 audiobooks, and commercial-free music stations. TuneIn has venture funding from Comcast Ventures, IVP, Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures, General Catalyst Partners and Icon Ventures, and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.

About Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most historic professional sports league in the United States and consists of 30 member clubs in the U.S. and Canada, representing the highest level of professional baseball. Major League Baseball is the best-attended sport in North America, and since 2004, MLB has enjoyed its best-attended seasons in the history of the game, with each regular season eclipsing the 73 million mark. Led by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr., MLB currently features record levels of labor peace, competitive balance and industry revenues, as well as the most comprehensive drug-testing program in American professional sports. MLB remains committed to making an impact in the communities of the U.S., Canada and throughout the world, perpetuating the sport’s larger role in society and permeating every facet of baseball’s business, marketing and community relations endeavors. With the continued success of MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network, MLB continues to find innovative ways for its fans to enjoy America’s National Pastime and a truly global game.

Nielsen and Tennis Channel Extend Agreement to Include National TV Ratings

NEW YORK:  Nielsen (NYSE: NLSN) and Tennis Channel announced that they have expanded their relationship, beyond the Nielsen Local TV Ratings Service, to also include Nielsen’s National TV Ratings service. Tennis Channel is the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both professional tennis and its lifestyle.

This multi-year agreement provides Tennis Channel with national ratings insights, giving them full flexibility in analyzing minute-by-minute viewership information and daily measurement of commercial and program performance. The use of Nielsen’s rich and deep-level data will enable Tennis Channel to offer agencies and advertisers the information they need to make smarter and more strategic media buying decisions.

“With today’s ever changing media landscape, it’s important for us to get insights into our viewers in order to assess our performance,” said Steve Badeau, Senior Vice President of Research, Tennis Channel. “By expanding our relationship with Nielsen, to include National TV Ratings, we’ll now have a complete view of our audience across local and national TV. Nielsen continues to evolve and provide offerings that allow us to showcase the growing fan base of tennis to our valuable and potential advertisers.”

In addition, the agreement gives Tennis Channel access to other Nielsen products and services. The expanded relationship delivers limitless opportunities for detailed and complete analysis of TV audiences including time-shifted viewing, custom demographics and TV consumption habits. Nielsen will also provide Tennis Channel with comprehensive and actionable advertising intelligence that alerts them of changes in ad spend across multiple categories, markets and media.

“We are delighted to expand our relationship with Tennis Channel,” said Peter Bradbury, Managing Director of Nielsen National Television Client Solutions. “At Nielsen, we are committed to providing our clients best-in-class products that deliver valuable insights into their viewers and support their ad sales process. We look forward to working closely with Tennis Channel and to helping enable their business success with our suite of gold-standard, independent and accredited measurement solutions.”

ABOUT NIELSEN
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a global performance management company that provides a comprehensive understanding of what consumers watch and buy. Nielsen’s Watch segment provides media and advertising clients with Nielsen Total Audience measurement services for all devices on which content—video, audio and text—is consumed. The Buy segment offers consumer packaged goods manufacturers and retailers the industry’s only global view of retail performance measurement. By integrating information from its Watch and Buy segments and other data sources, Nielsen also provides its clients with analytics that help improve performance. Nielsen, an S&P 500 company, has operations in over 100 countries, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.