The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced Unibet, medic | to make it the official betting partner of the UFC.

The two-year partnership extends to the UK, capsule Ireland, Scandinavia, Belgium, Netherlands, France and Australia.

The partnership begins immediately ahead of the first European event of 2014, UFC FIGHT NIGHT LONDON: GUSTAFSSON vs. MANUWA, on 8th March at London’s O2 Arena. This is part of a series of six events throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). 

Garry Cook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC EMEA, said: “This is a great opportunity for our fans to step into the world of the UFC in a new and engaging way. 

“We are delighted to partner with one if the world’s fastest growing online betting companies. The UFC is hosting more events than ever internationally in 2014 allowing us to reach more potential fans across the globe.”

Nils Anden, Chief Marketing Officer at Unibet, said: “We are very excited to become the UFC’s official betting partner. The UFC has really established itself as a leader in both sports and entertainment, while Unibet has managed to do the same in the gambling sector.  This is a match made in heaven.

“As part of this exclusive partnership, we are currently working on a wide range of exciting new bet offers for UFC events; markets that will take the betting experience of fight night to a whole new level.”

UFC Returns to Germany

UFC also announced today they will return to Germany in 2014.

The  UFC FIGHT NIGHT will take place in Berlin on 31st May.This follows the upcoming Europe, Middle East and Africa events in London and Abu Dhabi.

The O2 World Berlin will host the UFC for the first time, in what will be the third event for the organization in Germany. The UFC previously held UFC 99 in Cologne in 2009 and UFC 122 in Oberhausen in 2010, both of which were incredibly successful.

Cook commented: “We are incredibly excited to announce this event and it is fantastic news for the many UFC fans throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. We are delighted to be returning to Germany in May and visiting Berlin for the first time. Germany is one of the leading world superpowers in sport and to be able to host a UFC FIGHT NIGHT to our passionate German fans will be an honour.”

Yahoo have today unveiled world-renowned coach, arthritis Jose Mourinho as their new global football ambassador for 2014.

As part of the deal, the Chelsea manager will be an exclusive analyst for Yahoo’s worldwide football coverage including the FIFA World Cup 2014 and he will also provide exclusive behind the scenes content.

This is the first time Jose Mourinho has partnered with a media or technology company to offer his insight and expert commentary or to have a personal social presence. Renowned for his confident style and no stranger to a little controversy, Mourinho’s opinion will bring his passionate perspective to sports fans around the world on Yahoo and Tumblr.

“Having worked with some of the league’s best players, I’m excited to share some analysis and perspective about the game with the most passionate fans in the world. Teaming up with a global leader like Yahoo allows me to reach football fans from Brazil to the US to the UK – whether they’re in front of their computers or on their mobile or tablets,” said Mourinho. “There are many people around the world who like to comment on the game and I look forward to bringing my opinion exclusively to Yahoo starting today on my own Tumblr.”

Italian tyre supplier Pirelli have announced today they will become the new title sponsor for both the Spanish Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014. 

The sole supplier for the F1 World Championship will lend its support to both European rounds and will be known as the Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli (Spain) and the Pirelli Magyar Nagydij (Hungary).

The Gran Premio de Espana Pirelli will take place on May 8-11 and the Pirelli Magyar Nagydij will take place on July 24-27.

Pirelli’s contract as tyre supplier continues until the end of the 2016 season.

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Aintree Racecourse have announced today that bookmaker Betfred will be the ‘Official Betting Partner’ of The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival in April. 

The three year deal sees Betfred take sponsorship of three races – The Betfred Bowl Steeple Chase on Grand Opening Day, The Betfred Mobile Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase on Ladies Day and The Betfred TV Handicap Steeple Chase on Grand National Day of the three day festival at Aintree. 

Betfred is the world’s biggest owner-operator bookmaker with a retail estate of over 1380 shops. Last year, Betfred sponsored over 600 races which included the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock Park Racecourse. 

Fred Done, Chairman, Betfred, said: “I’m very proud to be associated with The Crabbie’s Grand National. 

“We are looking forward to working with Aintree on a magnificent three days racing which, of course, culminates in the world’s most famous race, The Crabbie’s Grand National.” 

The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival takes place at Aintree from 3rd-5th April 2014 and will see the 167th running of the Grand National steeple chase since the first Grand National 175 years ago. 

John Baker, Aintree and North West Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We are delighted to announce Betfred as the Official Betting Partner of The Crabbie’s Grand National.

“Betfred has a long standing history in racing, and also partner us at Haydock Park, another world-class racecourse in our region. 

“So, we have a fantastic relationship with Betfred and are thrilled they have agreed to join us for one of the most famous sporting events in the world. We look forward to welcoming them and their guests to Aintree in April.”

Mid-South Ford Dealers have become the new naming rights partner for the NHL’s Nashville Predators ice rink development at Global Mall.

The rink naming is an added component to a long-standing partnership between the Predators and Bridgestone Arena with the Mid-South Ford Dealers.

“Like the Nashville Predators, the Mid-South Ford Dealers are known for their commitment to community development in Middle Tennessee, and that is what makes this the perfect partnership,” Nashville Predators Executive Vice President Chris Parker said. “Partnering with a world-renowned corporation like Ford will only strengthen our efforts to grow hockey and the economy in the Nashville area, and it demonstrates their continued belief in our product and organization.”

An official name and logo for the facility are currently in the development stages and will be released shortly.

The facility – scheduled to open in August 2014 – is a component of a public-private partnership between the Nashville Predators and Metro Nashville Government that will help continue the growth of hockey and all forms of recreational ice skating in Middle Tennessee. 

“I am thrilled we continue to have the opportunity to be so involved in our Middle Tennessee community,” Vice Chairperson of the Mid-South Ford Dealers Advertising Fund and Crown Ford Representative Roxanne McDonald said. “I would like to thank all the members of the FDAF for stepping up to support our schools, non-profits, museums, music, and now the ice rink. There are so many families who will now have the opportunity to skate and play ice hockey and I couldn’t be prouder!”

“The Mid-South Ford Dealers recognize the impact the Nashville Predators make in the community and are excited to be a part of that,” Two Rivers Ford Owner John L. Barker said. “We see it as our duty to help valuable causes that better the places we live and work, and are looking forward to watching hockey and recreational skating blossom under this partnership.”

Rising Canadian tennis player Vasek Pospisil has signed a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with ASICS America.

As Canada’s no. 2 in singles and doubles, online Pospisil represented Canada in the 2012 London Olympics and finished 2013 with an ATP singles ranking of 32.

“ASICS embodies the high standard of continuous improvement that I have always valued in my own training and life, both on and off the court, which is why I am thrilled to continue my relationship with the team,” said Pospisil. “At a young age, I learned the importance of competition from watching my two brothers play tennis, and I have carried this with me every day since. I look forward to a strong year ahead with support from the brand and access to its top-of-the-line footwear, apparel, and accessories to help take me to the next level.”

“Vasek’s background and ongoing determination is an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to call him a member of our ASICS athlete family,” commented Ryan Broccolo, ASICS America tennis promotions. “Still early in his career, he already has a wealth of experience yet maintains his curiosity to learn and his drive to improve. Vasek showed great promise in 2013, and we know he will continue to better his best in the year ahead. We are looking forward to supporting him as he continues to climb the rankings in 2014.”

The extended partnership launches as Pospisil begins 2014 with his first top 40 ranking in his career. Pospisil, who first signed with ASICS America in 2013, will continue wearing ASICS footwear, apparel and accessories both on the court and during his training. 

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd has revealed its Factory MotoGP team will welcome back Movistar back to the fold as title sponsor of the team for the 2014 season.

With a deal having been struck between Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd and Movistar parent company Telefonica de España, cure S.A, healing the extensive five-year contract has resulted in the renaming of the team carrying Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

A new-look livery for the YZR-M1 bikes will be unveiled on the Wednesday before the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix, abortion with Movistar branding also being applied to various assets such as riders’ leathers, team uniforms, the garages, trucks and hospitality units.

Movistar, and its parent company Telefonica, have long been involved in Grand Prix racing at all levels, including backing a support series and teams in the Spanish championship that went on to produce some of the top riders currently in the sport, as well as retired greats, including Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner, Daijiro Kato, Sete Gibernau, Marco Melandri, Julian Simon, Kenny Roberts Jr, Chaz Davies, Leon Camier, and many more.

“This is a big day for the sport,” comments Lin Jarvis, the Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing. “We are delighted to be able to welcome the Movistar brand back into the world of MotoGP in such spectacular fashion. Dedicated fans of motorcycle racing will know that Movistar has a strong history in the sport and in the past they supporting many talented young riders who later evolved to be the top stars of the MotoGP class. We are therefore honoured that they chose Yamaha as their partner with which to re-enter motorcycle racing.

“The five-year partnership provides an incredibly stable platform for both parties to fully exploit the relationship and make plans, not just in the short-term but also strategically over a longer period. Their long-term commitment is also a strong sign of confidence in the sport and provides reassurance to the other sponsors and partners involved in our team.”

The new partnership between Yamaha and Movistar will run until at least the end of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship season.

Also for 2014, Movistar has engaged in a brand-new five-year television deal to broadcast MotoGP to Spanish television audiences on its Movistar TV channel.

BODYARMOR SuperDrink have announced NBA superstar Kevin Love as the newest member of its line-up of athlete partners.

Love, prostate like hundreds of professional athletes and thousands of amateur athletes, viagra sale has been drinking BODYARMOR as part of his training regimen throughout the season – and will now be an official member of the team. 

Love holds an equity stake in the company and will be instrumental in building awareness for BODYARMOR SuperDrink nationwide. He will be featured in point-of-sale promotional materials as well as in exclusive web videos. Fans will have a chance to win the signed jersey worn in the BODYARMOR videos through an Instagram contest starting on March 7.

Love plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves and a three-time All Star.