Xenith, LLC, based in Lowell, Massachusetts, have signed a new partnership with the National Football League to be an Authorized Supplier of Helmets to the NFL.

Xenith football helmet technology has been on the field since 2009 at all levels of play and a growing number of NFL players have chosen to wear Xenith helmets.  With the designation as “An Authorized Supplier of Helmets to the NFL,” Xenith will continue to offer NFL players its helmets, including new X2E and EPIC football helmets, which feature Xenith Adaptive Head Protection.

The Xenith EPIC helmet features the latest evolution of shock absorber technology. The EPIC Shock utilizes multi-staged compression to attenuate impact energy.

Chuck Huggins, Xenith’s President and CFO, said, “We are pleased to become an authorized supplier to the NFL and believe in the overall mission to provide advanced helmet technology to players of every level. We are also pleased that our continuing relationship with the NFL will further the efforts of USA Football and other football related initiatives to continue to help make the game of football a fun and safe athletic activity.”

Major League Baseball franchise Toronto Blue Jays have announced computer brand Acer as a new official partner for the 2014 season. 

As the exclusive category partner for laptops and tablets, order Acer will have its presence known with marketing programs and in-stadium promotions designed to ensure Toronto Blue Jays fans enjoy their favorite team while getting to know more about Acer.

“Acer is proud to be an Official Partner of the Toronto Blue Jays,” said Terry Tomecek, General Manager, Acer Canada. “Working with one of Canada’s most beloved sport franchises and promoting the Acer brand to baseball fans will reinforce our position as the leading provider of notebooks in Canada while giving us more interaction with our customers at Blue Jays games.”

“The Toronto Blue Jays are happy to partner with another category leader such as Acer,” added Stephen Brooks, Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the Toronto Blue Jays. “We look forward to helping Acer connect with our passionate fans at Rogers Centre, and through the Sportsnet game broadcasts.”

As an official partner, Acer will receive dominant branding throughout Rogers Centre including a double outfield wall position, digital signage, and an in-game feature. Blue Jays fans will have the opportunity to play for Acer products throughout the season by participating in social media based promotions.

In addition, Acer will be the exclusive sponsor of the Sportsnet Pitch Tracker in broadcast for the first half of the season.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, a premier sports, outdoor and lifestyle retailer, has extended its multi-year partnership with the Atlanta Braves. 

Academy Sports + Outdoors will remain the Official Sporting Goods Retailer of the Atlanta Braves. They have been associated with the Braves for six years.

“We’re thrilled about our continued expansion in the Atlanta metro area,” said Anita Sehgal, senior vice president of marketing for Academy Sports + Outdoors. “Our partnership with the Braves and the two additional stores are clear indicators of Academy’s commitment to our ongoing growth in the Atlanta community, Braves fans, and active-minded families throughoutGeorgia.”

“Academy has been an exceptional partner over the years,” said Jim Allen, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Atlanta Braves. “They have consistently demonstrated their community focus by supporting us, our youth-league initiatives, by promoting an active lifestyle through their support of area little leagues and other community organizations. We appreciate their continued support.”

Land Rover, a brand of British car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover, has announced an extension to its title sponsorship of Burghley Horse Trials, which will see the partnership through to the end of 2017.

Land Rover’s association with the world-renowned eventing competition has been established for many years, being the official vehicle supplier since the early 90’s and becoming title sponsor in 2005. 

Commenting on the contract renewal, Elizabeth Inman, event director, said: “Land Rover has been a loyal and active investor in our event and sport since 2005 and I am delighted that with Land Rover’s renewed investment, we can continue to deliver a leading world class event every year.”

Jeremy Hicks, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover UK said: “We are very pleased to be continuing our long standing partnership with Burghley Horse Trials. Our commitment to equestrian sport is well established and will certainly continue into the future as Land Rover enhances its range of family suited vehicles, bringing versatility and capability to customers and competitors alike”.

The company’s commitment to Burghley Horse Trials sees over 60 of its vehicles supplied to officials for use during the competition. 

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will take place on 4th – 7th September 2014.

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have announced that sports manufacturer Gilbert has signed a new five-year contract to be the exclusive Ball and Body Armour supplier to the ARU and the Qantas Wallabies.

This agreement will see Gilbert balls exclusively used in each Test Match, advice the Gold Coast Sevens tournament and all representative matches governed by the ARU.

The deal, which will last until the end of 2018, extends to Gilbert being the exclusive Body Armour supplier for the ARU and Qantas Wallabies that will see branding on all on-field gear including Headguards and Shoulder Pads.

Gilbert will also supply the ball for the inaugural National Rugby Championship, a new domestic competition involving nine teams that will start in August.

Australian Rugby Union CEO, Bill Pulver, commented: “We are very happy to extend our association with Gilbert, a brand synonymous with rugby union. We have already had a terrific partnership with Gilbert and look forward to working with them over the next five years.”

Richard Gray, Gilbert Sales & Marketing Director, commented: “We are delighted to renew our successful relationship with the Qantas Wallabies in the run up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup which is sure to be an exciting time for rugby in Australia and for the brand globally”

Gilbert currently partners with the Rugby World Cup 2015, SANZAR, English Rugby Union, Irish Rugby Union, Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby Union, French Rugby Union and the South African Rugby Union.

German Car manufacturer Audi has extended it support of the International Ski Federation (FIS) by becoming the main sponsor of the FIS Nordic Combined World Cup.

Audi already sponsors the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and the FIS Ski Cross World Cup and, click in addition, ailment will be presenting the next two FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2015 and 2017.

Audi has partnered with the Nordic Combined skiers for many years. For the athletes, the partnership can provide an important advantage in the competition. At the Audi wind tunnel in Ingolstadt, ski jumpers simulate longer airborne phases and have the opportunity to take their time and work on their approach and flight, assisted by expert video analysis.

“This partnership underlines Audi’s commitment to winter sports,” said FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “Audi is known for its innovation and now they join the Nordic Combined discipline at a perfect time as it is introducing it’s exciting new event this season with the Nordic Combined Triple.”

MotoGP rider Bradley Smith have announced new sponsors for the new season.

Bridgestone UK and Rudy Project sunglasses will support Bradley for the first time this season while Optimum Procurement has signed a new two year personal sponsorship deal. 

Bridgestone’s north region communications manager Andy Dingley  said: “We are thrilled to have Bradley on board with us, who will play a critical role in our various aims and objectives for the rest of the year.

“With a number of new bike products already planned for the near future to supplement our existing range of critically acclaimed bike tyres, these are exciting times for Bridgestone.

“Having one of the brightest and most talented racers in MotoGP with us to help us communicate such announcements  will be a huge boost for us, as we aim to reach out to even wider audiences and raise our presence accordingly.

“Having worked with Bradley in the past, we know how professional and knowledgeable he is about his profession, not to mention the motorcycle industry as a whole.

“He will be a valuable asset for us and we can’t wait to get to work, during what will be another gripping MotoGP season.”

Cristiano Barbazza, chairman of Rudy Project, confirms: “We’re very excited to have Bradley Smith as a Rudy Project ambassador. We have great confidence in him; it’ll be a thrill to see him race this year.

“It gives us even greater pleasure that Bradley, a huge fan of motocross and cycling, wears our products even in his training sessions away from the racetracks.”

The complete package from the sponsors and the Monster Tech 3 Yamaha team have given Bradley, who was tenth in his rookie MotoGP season, a fantastic chance to obtain a new MotoGP contract next season by providing such a stable platform allowing him to concentrate solely on his riding.

“I can’t thank sponsors old and new enough for their amazing support which makes me even more determined to have a great season.” explained the three times grand prix winner before flying off to Doha.