Eurosport Announces Ronnie O’Sullivan as New Global Ambassador

Eurosport have announced today that five-time and reigning World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan as their new global ambassador.

The role will see Eurosport and O’Sullivan team up to create a series of exclusive snooker programmes called “The Ronnie O’Sullivan Show” looking at all aspects of the game with the five-time World Champion.

The programmes, store which will be broadcast in 54 countries across Europe, symptoms will include tournament previews and reviews, snooker techniques and Masterclasses as well as interviews with snooker players and other sporting stars and take a lighter view of the sport.

Ronnie O’Sullivan said, “I am really excited by this new development in my career and the opportunity to work with Eurosport who are working hard to generate international interest in snooker.

“This project allows me to keep playing, but also to do something a bit different. Eurosport is helping to grow the game in Europe, so I can demonstrate the skills of the game and share my passion for the sport with a new audience, which is something that really motivates me. I also have the chance to share what it’s like to be a professional snooker player and look at some of the characters on the Tour.

“This series of programmes is something I have wanted to do for some time, Eurosport is the best place to develop the ideas and we are all really keen to get started.”

Arnaud Simon, Eurosport Group’s TV Content Director said: “We want to work with the best experts in every sport. Ronnie is snooker for millions of fans across Europe, he is the player they see as the superstar of the game and we have worked hard to create this opportunity with him to produce an exclusive series of programmes for our passionate and increasingly knowledgeable snooker audience.”

Eurosport show 19 snooker tournaments every season, including the World Championships and all the ranking events, with over 800 hours of live action and over 2,000 hours in total.

Hudson Wight to Title Sponsor Sailor Lizzy Foreman

Hudson Wight, has announced its title sponsorship of 23 year-old solo offshore sailor Lizzy Foreman and her 2015 Mini Transat campaign, with immediate effect.

“I’m very excited to be able to launch my own, independent, Mini Transat campaign, with the loan of a Pogo 2 (no. 633). Having confirmed Hudson Wight as a title, naming sponsor, along with a number of product partners, I can now give my first ever season of solo offshore racing my full attention – so I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s help and support,” commented Lizzy.

She continued: “Hudson Wight is a unique and very honest brand, producing high performance kit using their own fabric, OceanVent. This bright company is producing exciting and groundbreaking developments within the clothing scene, perfectly suited to the needs of offshore racing.”

Lizzy, from Worcester Park in Surrey, is a qualified Speech & Language Therapist who has been sailing since the age of three, taking to racing in her teens and progressing through the ranks of various dinghy classes. At the age of 18 she started learning the ropes on board ocean-going yachts and decided her eventual objective is to compete in the solo round-the-world Vendée Globe yacht race. Lizzy’s selection for the British Keelboat Academy (BKA) in 2010 marked the start of that journey.

Hudson Wight Managing Director, Jamie Scrimgeour, commented: “Lizzy’s energy, spirit and dedication to the task in hand is infectious. Her indomitable spirit, combined with her proven sailing prowess, is the ideal fit for Hudson Wight. We may be the used kids on the block but we’re going places, together.”

Molson Coors Confirmed as Beer & Cider Supplier for Toronto 2015

The Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games have announced Canadian brewey Molson Coors as their latest sponsor.

As Official Supplier of Beer and Cider for the Games, the beverages of Molson Coors will be part of the celebrations whenever goals, home runs and medals are awarded in the summer of 2015. And behind every beer and cider enjoyed at the TORONTO 2015 Games will be the 3,000 proud Canadian employees who produce the well-known beverages at Molson Coors breweries in Toronto, Montreal, Moncton, St. John’s and Vancouver.

“We are thrilled to be the official beer sponsor for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in Toronto in 2015. Beer and sports have always had a natural partnership and while we can’t deliver enough red fridges to meet the demand, we can promise that we won’t run out of your favourite Molson Coors beers,” said Stewart Glendinning, president and CEO of Molson Coors Canada. In 2010, Canada’s pre-eminent brewer enjoyed phenomenal success and growth as an Official Supplier of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as Canadian patriotism surged to unprecedented levels.”

“We’re proud to have Molson Coors join the TORONTO 2015 Games to help Canadians and our international guests celebrate in the summer of 2015,” said Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). “As a company synonymous with Canada and sporting excellence, Molson Coors will help spread the excitement across this country as we prepare to host a home Games for our top summer athletes.”

Yonex to Remain Title Sponsor of All England Open Badminton Championships Until 2021

Badminton England have announced Yonex will remain the title sponsor of the All England Open Badminton Championships until 2021.

The partnership between BADMINTON England and Yonex is one of the longest standing relationships in UK sport, viagra spanning 31 years.

Adrian Christy, rx Chief Executive at BADMINTON England: said: “This is the largest partnership in BADMINTON England’s history and represents a true milestone for the sport in this country. The commitment Yonex has shown to the All England Open Badminton Championships and to the sport is fantastic news for English badminton and it enables us to continue our promise to deliver the best Superseries Premier event in the world.

“We are incredibly proud to extend our extraordinary relationship with Yonex for another seven years. Long term, discount committed partnerships are relatively rare in sport and they offer huge benefits to the sport and the sponsor, enabling both to grow together.”

Ben Yoneyama, Yonex President, said: “We are proud and honoured to continue with our title sponsorship of the All England Championships, having agreed a new 7 year contract with Badminton England from 2015 to 2021. The All England is the oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament in the world and we are delighted to be able to remain part of this world class tournament.

“This year is the 104th Championships, and the 31st time that Yonex has been title sponsor since 1984, making Yonex one of the longest title sponsors across all sports events in the world. And now with a new 7 year contract this claim will be even stronger in the future.

“May I also say that our commitment to the All England is representative of the investments we make at all levels of badminton to stimulate interest in the sport and inspire tomorrow’s champions. By 2021 we shall have been the title sponsor for nearly 40 years which strongly indicates our long term commitment to the development of this great sport.”

Headingley Carnegie Stadium to Host 2014 Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day

Headingley Carnegie Stadium to stage 2014 Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day on Sunday October 5.

Rugby League fans are guaranteed a day to remember with three title deciding matches, viagra 100mg the Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final, ambulance the Kingstone Press Championship One Grand Final, store the winners of which will be promoted to the Championship and the National Conference Challenge Trophy Final.

It will be the second time the Championships Finals Day has been held at the historic venue and is sure to be an exciting day for all Rugby League fans: after staging last year’s Finals Day at Leigh Sports Village, the Championships clubs recently expressed their preference for  a neutral venue in 2014.

RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: “The Kingstone Press Championships Finals Day always provides a spectacular and memorable end to the season and this year we believe it will be the most exciting ever.

“Headingley Carnegie Stadium has a rich history of hosting high quality sporting events and will be the perfect venue to showcase some extraordinary action to a bumper crowd  in what is now set to be a pivotal year for the sport.”

NetCracker to Sponsor Skier Andrew Kurka for Sochi Paralympics

NetCracker Technology will sponsor alpine skier Andrew Kurka for the 2014 Paralympic games to be held in Sochi, Russia from March 7 to 16, 2014.

NetCracker is Andrew Kurka’s official seasonal sponsor and this will be his first opportunity to compete in the Paralympics. 

“I am excited to have NetCracker’s support,” said Andrew Kurka. “They were there at the beginning of my career and have made my dreams and goals possible all the way to Sochi. My life’s been a journey and NetCracker has helped to make that journey possible. I’m just hoping to represent them well and be an example to the world. I’m going to give it all I have; after all life’s short – live it fast.”

NetCracker’s sponsorship of Andrew Kurka at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program that supports events, organizations, and individuals whose activities benefit a broad spectrum of causes, including health, human services, education, arts and culture, and the environment, with an emphasis on children, youth, and family programs.

“NetCracker is proud to support Andrew Kurka and are excited about his great opportunity to compete with the U.S. Paralympic Alpine Skiing Team in Sochi,” said Joanna Larivee, Senior Director of Global Marketing at NetCracker. “We have the utmost respect for Paralympic athletes like Kurka who represent a commitment to excellence and show the determination necessary to solve problems and overcome great obstacles in the face of daunting challenges.”

MLS Signs Kraft Foods Sponsorship

Major League Soccer (MLS) have announced today a multi-year sponsorship deal with Capri Sun and Kraft Foods. 

Under the terms of the new agreement, Capri Sun becomes the official juice drink of MLS. Other participating Kraft brands include Kool-Aid, Country Time Lemonade and Tang, which will activate in stores nationwide.

Under the agreement, Capri Sun will harness MLS intellectual property to foster connections with soccer fans across the country, including several grassroots extensions like youth soccer clinics throughout the United States. Capri Sun will also utilize select MLS players as part of their ongoing Capri Sun Kids vs. Pros campaign, and will feature MLS players on-pack during the “back to school” timeframe.

“We’re so pleased to partner with a premier property like MLS whose values are consistent with our own,” said Greg Guidotti, Senior Director of Refreshment Beverages for Kraft Foods. “Soccer is the first sport that many of us play as kids, and the sport teaches us the importance of teamwork, being active and pushing your own physical boundaries. MLS has played a seminal role in the growth and popularity of soccer across the U.S. – and bringing soccer to the forefront of sport. Several of our beverages, specifically Capri Sun, are found on the ‘sidelines’ of so many soccer matches. It’s honestly a natural fit for us.”

“We are excited to welcome Kraft Beverages to the MLS family,” said David Wright, senior vice president of global sponsorship for MLS. “MLS’ grassroots extensions have become an important component to the growth of the League and Kraft Beverages has elected to take a leadership position within that ever-growing space. We look forward to partnering with Kraft Beverages for many years to come.”

Scalar Joins Toronto 2015 as Official Supplier

IT solutions company Scalar has joined Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games as an Official Supplier.

The Canadian-owned and operated company will provide the Games with information technology (IT) security, including a security operations centre, data centre integration and managed storage services.

“Scalar is excited to join the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games,” said Paul Kerr, president and chief executive officer of Scalar. “We have one of the most experienced and knowledgeable technical teams in Canada — our engineers average 15 to 20 years’ experience — and we’re looking forward to playing a key role in successfully delivering the largest international multi-sport event ever held in Canada.”

Saäd Rafi, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), added: “Scalar is an innovative Canadian company with a growing reputation for leadership in their field. We’re pleased to welcome them on board.”

WTA Renew Partnership with USANA Health

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have announced today they have extended their partnership with USANA Health Sciences, a leading global vitamin and health supplement manufacturer, through 2016.

USANA, the Official Health Supplement Supplier of the WTA, first partnered with the WTA in 2006, and will continue to provide its nutritional products to more than 160 WTA athletes.

As part of the new deal, Eugenie Bouchard (CAN), Madison Keys (USA), Monica Puig (PUR) and Zhang Shuai (CHN) will join Sloane Stephens (USA), Samantha Stosur (AUS) and Zheng Jie (CHN) as USANA Brand Ambassadors.

“We are honored to be able to extend our relationship with the WTA and continue providing our quality supplements to these elite female athletes,” said USANA Chief Communications Officer, Dan Macuga. “As a global leader in our industry, partnering with the world’s leading women’s professional sport for nearly a decade not only signifies that we stand by our science, but that we really do offer products that world-class athletes can trust. We look forward to what the future has in store for our partnership and working with the WTA to maximize our global audiences, together.”

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with USANA for another three years,” said WTA Chairman and CEO, Stacey Allaster. “In 2006, the WTA searched for a company that would fulfill a longtime request by players for nutritional supplements that are guaranteed to be free of banned substances on the WADA Prohibitive List. USANA stood out as an organization that felt so strongly about the quality and purity of its product, and we look forward to our continued partnership with this great company.”

New elements of the enhanced partnership include providing all WTA athletes with USANA products; significant marketing, digital and social media activation benefits; WTA Legends appearances; sponsorship of nine WTA events across all regions of the world, including the year-end WTA Championships in Singapore; and a player ambassador program that includes direct endorsements from an international roster of elite athletes. 

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MusclePharm Named Official Nutritional Supplement Provider of USA Wrestling

National governing body USA Wrestling has announced MusclePharm Corporation as its exclusive official nutritional supplement provider.

The multi-year agreement is intended to help bring increased success for USA Wrestling athletes at Olympic and world levels. Developed at the MusclePharm Sports Science Center & Research Institute, the company’s sports nutrition products are formulated, tested and certified in an IRB-compliant facility, and safe and free of any banned substances.

“MusclePharm’s slogan, ‘Real Athletes. Real Science.’ fits perfectly with our goal of helping our athletes be their best through optimal training and nutrition,” said Rich Bender, executive director of USA Wrestling. “We appreciate the support that MusclePharm has pledged to our sport, and look forward to their involvement in our quest to make Team USA the best wrestling program on the planet.”

MusclePharm will be introduced to the wrestling community at the 2014 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, March 15-16, 2014, in Los Angeles, Calif., which will be streamed on theMusclePharm Facebook page. MusclePharm also will be featured at USA Wrestling events and digital platforms, featuring some of the top athletes in the world.

“We are fully committed to helping USA Wrestling’s athletes on their road to success, as they progress through their training leading up the 2015 World Wrestling Championships and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and beyond,” said Brad Pyatt, chairman and CEO of MusclePharm. “We are pleased to partner with USA Wrestling and to help develop the next generation of athletes at a time when wrestling is experiencing a renaissance in popularity.”