For Sale -- St. Louis-based sports publication, The Sporting News, which settled for $7.2 million in January with the Department of Justice over charges that it promoted illegal Internet gambling through advertising on its Web site, in its magazine and on the radio, is up for sale after receiving unsolicited interest from a range of strategic and financial parties. The announcement came today, just a week after the 120-year-old publication reported record ad revenues in 2005. Experts estimate the paper's worth at $35 million to $40 million, but CEO Richard Allen said he expects a sale price "in the hundreds of millions" if it is sold.
The Comeback -- Online poker room PokerShare.com, which has been defunct since November 2005, is getting ready to re-launch after resolving issues with its former poker network, Excapsa Software Inc. In just two months of operation, PokerShare reportedly generated enough buzz because of its unique concept, which virtually turned ordinary players into shareholders of the company, to worry UltimateBet, also on the Excapsa network. So Excapsa, under duress from UltimateBet, shut down the fledgling poker room. The two companies have now made amends, and PokerShare.com is preparing for a re-launch in early March. PokerShare.com also has plans to launch a similarly-themed online casino named CasinoShare.com.
Another One Bites the Dust -- In the continuing saga of match-fixing scandals within European soccer, Gilbert Bodart has resigned as coach of Belgium's La Louviere. This comes right after two players and a coach from first division club, Lierse were suspended for allegations of being linked to a Shanghai gambling ring. Both players issued statements Tuesday saying they would be appealing against Anderlecht's decision.
A New Way to Hold 'em -- Interactive gaming software and technology developer Zone4Play, Inc. today announced the launch of a new poker game, Face-Up Hold'em, for multiple e-gaming platforms. Based on Texas Hold'em Poker but with a fixed odds twist, the game will be available on all the interactive platforms in the UK, including mobile, Internet, interactive TV and in particular participation TV by the end of Q2 2006.
Nearly Ousted? -- Bobby Neary, a 21-year-old university student, placed second in last month's Aussie Millions poker tournament and faces a possible penalty with the NCAA as a result. According to the NCAA, Neary, a business major who plays golf for California's Sonoma State University, violated the organization's endorsement rules by wearing clothing bearing PartyPoker's logo, which he agreed to do because the poker site sent him to the event after winning its qualifying satellite tournament. The NCAA deemed Neary "athletically ineligible" for wearing the clothes, but not for actually participating in the tournament. But his problems don't end there. In addition to agreeing to wear PartyPoker apparel, he gave the online poker site the right to record him at the tournament, which could violate the NCAA standard that says players may not lend their name or image for the promotion of a commercial product or service. Sonoma State is reportedly petitioning for Neary's return to collegiate golf, but until the NCAA reaches a decision, Neary has his $520,000 prize to comfort him.