Press Releases

This marks the largest gift in Law School history

VILLANOVA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Villanova University School of Law (VSL) announced today that Jeffrey S. Moorad VSL ’81, the vice chairman and CEO of the San Diego Padres, has committed $5 million for the creation of the new Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law. The landmark gift, which marks the largest in VSL’s history, was officially announced at the 2012 Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal Symposium. Headlined and conceived by Moorad, the event featured an all-star panel of baseball experts including Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane, subject of the book and Oscar-nominated film Moneyball, former New York Mets General Manager and current San Diego Padres Senior Vice President Omar Minaya and MSNBC President Phil Griffin, discussing the impact of “Moneyball” on sports and business. Former Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell VSL ’68 moderated.

“This transformative gift will add to the continued academic excellence of the Villanova University School of Law and serve as a fitting legacy to Jeff Moorad’s loyalty to his alma mater,” said The Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Ph.D., President of Villanova University. “The extraordinary support of alumni like Jeff is a reminder that the strong sense of community fostered at Villanova extends far beyond the boundaries of our campus.”

The Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law, named in recognition of Moorad’s leadership gift, is one of only a handful of institutes in the U.S. dedicated to the study of sports law. VSL’s new Center will prepare students for careers in amateur and professional sports through rigorous academic study, innovative programs, internship opportunities, scholarship and research. Located near Philadelphia, home to one of professional and amateur sports most dedicated fan bases and largest media markets, Villanova University School of Law is situated along the Northeast corridor in close proximity to several major sports markets including New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

“The Villanova University School of Law provided a foundation for me to pursue my dream of coupling a traditional law degree with a career in sports,” said Mr. Moorad. “I've always believed it’s most important to give back, and, at this stage of my career, am excited to provide for this new Center for Sports Law. It's my hope that the ambitions of young law students and legal scholars who share my passion for sports will be furthered and that Villanova will become synonymous with the study of sports law.”

“The commitment of alumni like Jeffrey Moorad helps sustain and strengthen the excellence of Villanova University,” remarked Mike O’Neill, Vice President for University Advancement. “Jeff has achieved remarkable success in his career and it is a testament to both Villanova University and his leadership and dedication to the school that he has chosen to give back with such a meaningful gift.”

“As we begin this exciting new chapter in our history, it is extraordinary to have the support and guidance of an industry leader and innovator such as Jeff Moorad,” said John Gotanda, Dean of the Villanova University School of Law. “Villanova Law students have long displayed their interest in this field and, through Jeff’s generosity, they will now have the opportunity to follow in his footsteps, training to become the next generation of sports executives.”

Visit http://mlb.mlb.com/sd/team/exec_bios/moorad.jsp for complete Jeffrey Moorad biography.

Villanova UniversityKate Johnston, 610-519-8333kate.johnston@villanova.edu

Source: Villanova University

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings has placed five classes of CD Commercial Mortgage Trust 2007-CD4 on Rating Watch Negative.

Classes A-MFX through C have been placed on Rating Watch Negative based on an increase in Fitch expected losses following a preliminary review of the transaction's 49 specially serviced loans, six of which are within the top 15 loans in the pool. Fitch's preliminary review incorporated updated valuations obtained by the special servicer since Fitch's last rating action.

The largest contributor to expected losses is the Riverton Apartments. The Real Estate Owned (REO) asset is secured by a class B, rent-stabilized multifamily housing project, consisting of 1,228 units, located in Harlem, NY.

Fitch expects to resolve the Rating Watch status within the next several months following a complete review of the transaction including updated performance data for performing loans. Fitch expects significant paydown in the next few months due to loan maturities which may offset some expected losses and allow more senior classes to be removed from Rating Watch Negative.

Fitch has placed the following classes on Rating Watch Negative:

--$595 million class A-MFX 'AAAsf';

--$65 million class A-MFL 'AAAsf';

--$585.7 million class A-J 'Bsf';

--$41.2 million class B 'B-sf';

--$90.7 million class C 'B-sf'.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (Aug. 4, 2011);

--'Surveillance Methodology for U.S. Fixed-Rate CMBS Transactions' (Dec. 21, 2011).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=646569

Surveillance Methodology for U.S. Fixed-Rate CMBS Transactions

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=662869

ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE.

Fitch RatingsPrimary AnalystDarren Liss, +1-212-908-0753DirectorFitch, Inc.One State StreetNew York, NY 10004orCommittee ChairpersonAdam Fox, +1-212-908-1869Senior DirectororMedia Relations:Sandro Scenga, +1-212-908-0278Email: sandro.scenga@fitchratings.com

Source: Fitch Ratings

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Premiere Global Sports, a leading provider of specialized sports travel, hospitality, marketing services, and event tickets is pleased to announce Peter Rosenberger as the new Vice President of its Corporate Division. Rosenberger’s vast industry and special event marketing experience will be focused on creating and selling new branded sports and entertainment experiences for Corporate 1000 prospects, including promotional sponsorships, hospitality and special marketing programs.

A U.S. Air Force Veteran, Rosenberger has over eighteen years of experience working in event creation, management, brand marketing and product integration for ESPN, Madison Square Garden, The Sports Alliance and the Metropolitan Exposition Services. As the Vice President of Event Marketing at ESPN, he was responsible for the “concept to completion” aspects of over 100 marketing events annually and the company’s ticket operations. For the Metropolitan Exposition Services, Rosenberger established the Met Event Group. Here he led the acquisition of the Garden State Outdoor Sportsmen’s Show and introduced the In-Show Network to core Metro-Expo clients in the trade show industry. Rosenberger is also a member of the Board of Directors for the ALS Association of New York and an Adjunct Professor at New York University’s Tisch Center for Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Management. His classes focus on graduate level Planning and Developing Major Sporting Events, Marketing Conferences and Special Events.

“We are very excited to have Peter join us at Premiere Global Sports,” said Joe Bennett, President and CEO of Premiere Global Sports. “Industry experience, personal relationships and innovative products are so important to the success of our Company and with Peter’s expertise we will bring even more exciting and unique experiences to our clients.”

About Premiere Global Sports:

Premiere Global Sports, headquartered in Libertyville, IL with offices in Cary, NC, New York City and Champaign, IL, is an industry leading provider of sports travel, hospitality marketing services and ticket brokerage services for consumers, corporations and universities worldwide. Consistently recognized for its delivery of first-class tour experiences, award-winning customer service, and event management expertise, Premiere has developed a strong reputation for excellence in the field of sports and entertainment travel and hospitality.

For more information about Premiere Global Sports, please visit www.premieresports.com.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50165082&lang=en

Intrepid Marketing GroupMedia Contact:Torrey Winchester, 918-638-1413torrey@intrepidmg.com

Source: Premiere Global Sports