Nike have become Football Association of Finland’s (FAF) official apparel and equipment sponsor in a new partnership.

The partnership, which begins in April 2014 and will run until at least 2020, will see Nike produce and distribute all on-pitch and training product, as well as a range of off-pitch product, for the players at every level, the coaching teams and fans.

Bert Hoyt, Nike GM, Western Europe, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Football Association of Finland. We look forward to supporting the game at all levels in the country.”

FAF President Pertti Alaja added: “We are very excited to work together with Nike, the world’s leading sports brand. As a federation we are building towards a successful future on and off the pitch, and our national teams will wear the new Nike Finland kits with pride.”

Sports and entertainment collectibles company Panini America has announced today that it has signed former Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to an autograph trading card agreement that will include Bridgewater’s first NFL-licensed Rookie Cards and autographed trading cards.

Bridgewater, generic a projected high first-round pick in May’s 2014 NFL Draft, drugs is one of several key players expected to spearhead the most exciting NFL Draft classes in many years. Bridgewater’s first NFL Rookie Cards and autographed cards will arrive in the June release of Panini America’s 2014 Score Football.

In addition to the trading card agreement, drugs Bridgewater will be featured on select 2014 Panini America NFL trading card product packaging throughout the year and will also participate in Panini America marketing and social media related initiatives.

“Fans and collectors are eagerly anticipating the 2014 NFL Draft Class and Teddy Bridgewater is a big reason why,” said Panini America CEO Mark Warsop. “Rookie Cards drive the trading card industry every year and, as a result, 2014 is shaping up to be a spectacular season for sales of Panini America NFL trading cards. We’re excited about our relationship with Teddy and what that partnership will mean for our business.”

During a three-year career at Louisville, Bridgewater passed for more than 9,800 yards and 72 touchdowns. He was named the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2011 and the Big East Offensive Player of the Year in 2012. In the 2013 Sugar Bowl, Bridgewater earned game MVP honors by passing for 266 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 33-23 upset victory over Florida.

“As a kid growing up, having your own NFL Rookie Card is always something you dream about. Now, thanks to my relationship with Panini America, that dream is about to come true,” Bridgewater said. “I can’t wait to see them and have kids collect my cards.”

Gumout Performance Additives have announced the sponsorship of Formula Drift star and World Champion Drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR for 2014.

Gittin Jr., sale pills the 2010 Formula Drift Series Champion, will take on the top drifters this year with the brand that invented the performance additive category. For 70 years, Gumout has been helping drivers get the most out of every mile by delivering quality, effective products that have been proven in the lab, on the street, and on the track.

“I’m pumped to be teaming up with Gumout to keep my cars and trucks running at their best,” said Gittin Jr., team owner and driver of the over 800hp Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR. “Like all my partners, Gumout is the clear leader in their category. Gumout has been innovating ever since they started keeping military engines clean in World War II. Now I’m thrilled to put these time-tested products through the rigor of drifting.”

As one of the original pioneers in American drifting, Gittin Jr. has made a name for himself with his talents as a driver, an entrepreneur, and a self-proclaimed “professional fun-haver.” Gittin Jr. is a Champion in Formula Drift, as well as in the World Drift Series, with over 25 podiums in the top-tier of the sport. His incredible car control, his foot-to-the-floor driving style, and his ability to provide fans with unparalleled fresh, fun and exciting video and imagery content make him a perfect match for Gumout. Gittin is leading the charge in the modern muscle car scene and is shaping the way young car enthusiasts interact with motorsports.

“At Gumout, we love Formula Drift and have been involved in their events over the last two years, but we’ve decided it’s time to step up and dive in on the team side. After all, we are all about cars and engines,” said Rusty Waples, Global Group Brand Manager at ITW Global Brands. “Vaughn is such a great character; his style and attitude are legendary, and he’s one of the top driving talents. We’re going to have a lot of fun this year and show people how our products can improve performance no matter what they drive.”

Honda Performance Development (HPD) will expand its support to the Canadian Touring Car Championship with increased offerings in Super, allergy Touring and B-Spec Classes. 

Contingency monies will be paid to first through third place finishers who campaign a Honda or Acura in CTCC. HPD will also reward overall class-winning drivers at the end of the season.

“Last season saw Honda sweep all three classes in CTCC, allergy ” stated John Bondar, President of CTCC, “and this season we expect the competition to increase with the addition of several new Honda race cars.”

“Honda is proud of the outstanding results achieved by our teams in CTCC ,” said Lee Niffenegger, Program Senior Engineer in charge of production racing at HPD. “ The enthusiasm and dedication of the competitors in B-Spec all the way up to Super Class is readily apparent. Our Honda Racing Line parts and contingency programs are intended to support that passion. We welcome the competition in our defense of the sweep of the categories in 2014! It will make for some exciting racing this year.”

Cricket Scotland have been given a boost today after life and pensions company Royal London agreed to be the naming rights sponsor of the one-day international between Scotland and England at Mannofield on May 9.

Royal London secured a four-year deal with ECB last November to become the headline sponsor of one-day cricket at international, tadalafil county and recreational levels from this season, arthritis and it now extends its cricketing presence north of the border for the first Scotland versus England ODI since 2010. 

The countries will face each other in the group stages of the 2015 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand, lending some extra significance to the contest – which will be called the Royal London One-Day International, with prominent branding on display around the Aberdeen ground.

Speaking about the partnership, Roddy Smith, Cricket Scotland’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have been able to attract such a prominent match day partner as Royal London for the showpiece match of our home season.

“Their support on the day will add significantly to the occasion and I am very grateful to them for entering into this partnership with Cricket Scotland. The Scotland team are coming off a very successful World Cup qualifying campaign and, with both ticket and hospitality sales very strong, we are all looking forward to a successful day both on and off the field. “

Royal London CEO Phil Loney added: “We’re really excited to be entering into cricket sponsorship at such a high profile time for the sport. The quirky and eccentric nature of cricket makes it a perfect fit for our brand and, as a very British company, it’s fantastic to be involved with a very British sport. We’re very pleased to be able to work with Cricket Scotland on such an exciting fixture in the cricket calendar and look forward to starting the summer with a brilliant sporting event.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) team Pittsburgh Pirates have announced a new multi-year partnership with The Coca-Cola Company to make Coca-Cola the official sparkling beverage of the Pirates and PNC Park.

This marks a renewed relationship between the Pirates and the beverage company, as their history dates back to Three Rivers Stadium.

This season will mark the first time Coca-Cola beverages will be served at PNC Park, as Coca-Cola’s sparkling beverages, DASANI bottled water, FUZE Iced Tea and more will be offered.Coca-Cola also will receive full logo and marketing rights and the company will have extensive signage throughout PNC Park.

“This agreement allows us to align our brand with the most popular soft drink brand in the world,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “Like the Pirates, Coca-Cola has a very loyal fan base. We are proud to partner with top of the industry brands like Coca-Cola and look forward to serving their outstanding products to our fans for years to come.”

Coca-Cola has installed new old-style ceramic beverage dispensers throughout the ballpark to enhance the fan experience, and will also offer souvenir Pirates cups during the 2014 season.

“We are very excited to be a part of the Pirates organization,” said Jim Dinderman, Vice President of Sales for the Pittsburgh Market Unit. “Coca-Cola has been sharing happiness for 127 years. Our rich history, combined with the heritage of the Pirates, will allow fans and families alike to enjoy America’s pastime here in Pittsburgh. Through this partnership, we will inspire happiness and provide refreshment to those at PNC Park for years to come.”

British internet exchange Betfair has announced a sponsorship deal with Chester Race Company.

The two-year agreement will see Betfair become the Official Wi-Fi and Digital Gaming Partner for the 2014 and 2015 seasons at both Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses.

This announcement follows a successful O² Wi-Fi trial at Chester Racecourse during the 2013 season, which revealed significant insight into how racegoers interact through Wi-Fi and digital media during a race day. 

This learning’s enabled Chester Race Company and Betfair to commence the development of an integrated Wi-Fi, digital and sponsorship partnership that placed emphasis on Betfair using Chester Race Company’s Wi-Fi; growing digital assets to ‘power the thrill of racing’ and to ‘own’ the assets rather than just ‘badge’ them. 

The partnership will be known as the ‘Always on Campaign’ and is powered by O² Wi-Fi.

Richard Thomas, Chief Executive of Chester Race Company said today: “There have been many attempts to integrate and use Wi-Fi at racecourses, but none have engaged with a company that has the gravitas of O², and that is key to making the campaign successful for both parties.

“O² Wi-Fi is a leading international telephony and communications company and understands the importance of developing a technical architecture for public Wi-Fi which ensures the solution is simple to drive uptake and usage”

He continued, “O² is transforming the Wi-Fi market; their approach leverages their experience as a mobile operator and understanding of how consumers use data, which is key in developing a sophisticated Wi-Fi and digital commercial strategy.

The deal also involves traditional sponsorship of four races at the Boodles May Festival, commencing May 7th, including the £60,000 ‘Betfair Price Rush Huxley Stakes’ and the £75,000 ‘Betfair Cash Out Dee Stakes’. Betfair will also support entire cards on racedays at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee in September.

Andy Holmes, Sponsorship and Activation Manager with Betfair commented: ”Innovation has always been key to Betfair and that same innovation is central to our continued growth. We consider free Wifi powered by a trusted network as crucial to our customers enjoying a day at the races. Betfair are delighted that Chester share our vision and commitment to drive sporting sponsorship and customer experience into the new age that we live in.”

Luxury watch brand Longines has agreed a sponsorship deal with the Australian Turf Club for the naming rights for the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the richest race of the Sydney autumn carnival.

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is at Randwick on April 19 with international actor Simon Baker, the Longines ambassador of elegance, scheduled to attend.

Under a five-year deal with the ATC, Longines will also have exclusive naming rights to the prestigious owners and trainers pavilion overlooking the Theatre Of The Horse at Randwick.

Longines will be the official timekeeper, and official watch of the Australian Turf Club and a Longines branded chronometer for official race timing will be installed at Randwick racecourse.

At the April 19 meeting, Baker will present the Longines Elegance Award to finalists selected from the Myer Fashions on the Field contest from April 12, Day One of The Championships.

“We are delighted to have Longines on board as an official partner of the ATC and we are confident they will be among more leading brands and companies who will want to be part of one of the world’s truly great racing events,” ATC chief executive Darren Pearce said.

The brand is also involved in some of the most famous racing events in the world including the Dubai World Cup, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Royal Ascot and the Melbourne Cup carnival.