Major League Soccer have named restaurant chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Official Fast-Casual Mexican Restaurant of MLS and 12 MLS Clubs. 

The sponsorship will be Chipotle’s largest single sports partnership and will feature promotional programs with 12 teams, pilule individual players, discount and programs across the entire league.

“At the core of our effort to change the way people think about and eat fast food is our commitment to finding better, more sustainable sources for all of the ingredients we use,” said Mark Crumpacker, Chipotle’s chief marketing and development officer. “That value is one that is often shared by people with an active lifestyle. This partnership with MLS will allow us to further engage consumers in a sport we have long supported through grassroots efforts.”

Throughout the 2014 season, Chipotle will work with MLS and the 12 clubs by executing unique promotions and activations to reach MLS fans across the country. Additionally, during the AT&T MLS All-Star Week in August, Chipotle will sponsor the inaugural Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game featuring the nation’s top Homegrown players from MLS Club rosters. Homegrown players from across the league will be chosen by MLS to participate in the game. 

“Chipotle is an incredible brand and has truly embraced MLS’ aspirational position for millions of youth soccer players,” said David Wright, senior vice president of global sponsorship for MLS. “We love the idea of the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game and we look forward to Chipotle playing an important role in continuing to grow the sport of soccer in this country for years to come.”

In addition to the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game, Chipotle will also feature an exceptional athlete, boy or girl, during 10 home games per MLS Club as the Chipotle Youth Homegrown Athlete. Each athlete will receive four tickets to the game, special recognition during the game, a chance to meet players and coaches, dinner at Chipotle with his/her team, and the opportunity to host a fundraiser for his/her team at their favorite Chipotle location. Chipotle and each MLS Club will also host free soccer clinics for up to 200 kids utilizing MLS players and coaches to teach soccer fundamentals.

To kick-off the partnership, Chipotle will host a March to Soccer promotion in the 12 MLS markets to celebrate the beginning of the MLS season.

Yorkshire Building Society have announced they have become an official supporter of the Tour de France 2014 Grand Départ which is coming to Yorkshire this summer.

The mutual’s chief executive Chris Pilling has described their involvement as a “proud moment” in what is a special anniversary year for the UKs second largest building society.

He said: “As an organisation that was founded in Yorkshire 150 years ago, we are very proud to announce ourselves as an official supporter of the Tour de France 2014 Grand Départ. We are excited to be able to play our part in supporting the world’s largest annual sporting event right here in our heartland.”

The route passes the doors of several of the Yorkshire’s branches, where they are planning activities to welcome riders and spectators in locations such as Harrogate, Holmfirth, York, Skipton and Leeds.

Pilling added: “With a global audience of over three billion people, I am sure that the Grand Départ will be an overwhelming success for the region and that our people, customers and members of the public will get fully behind the event and show the world what Yorkshire has to offer.”

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It is great to announce this partnership. The Tour de France will shine a global spotlight on the whole of Yorkshire providing the perfect platform for Yorkshire Building Society to demonstrate they’re going the extra mile in supporting the region. We have a long-standing relationship with Yorkshire Building Society so we are delighted to be working with them on this unique initiative and maximising the benefits for them and the county.”

Australian Football League team Richmond have announced a new three-year partnership with Australian-owned homewares company Décor.

Décor will become the Club’s new players’ shorts partner until at least the end of the 2016 season.

“This is another exciting partnership for the Richmond Football Club, apoplectic and we look forward to working alongside the people at Décor,” said Richmond’s CEO Brendon Gale.

“Both companies have proud, rich histories, and a relentless approach to being successful, innovative and professional.”

Decor has been making everyday life easier and more enjoyable for 55 years, with homewares that are functional, affordable and made to last.

“Just like the Tigers, Décor is a proudly iconic brand originating from Melbourne striving for sustainable growth” said Décor principal and owner Graeme Wilson. 

“Being a key sponsor will provide terrific local and national exposure of the Décor brand to a broad cross section of consumers, as is the target market for Décor – there is a product for every supporter in our comprehensive range of smart homeware solutions.”

CIMB Group have signed on as title sponsor of the 29th Women’s World Squash Championship in Penang.

Part of the Women’s Squash Association (WSA) World Series Platinum, the Penang-CIMB Women’s World Championship will take place at the Subterranean Penang International Conference and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) from 14 to 23 March 2014. The tournament field will be spearheaded by women’s World No. 1 Dato’ Nicol David and will feature all of the Top 10 players in the world.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said, “We are excited that the Women’s World Championship has returned after a brief break last year, and Penang has been given the opportunity to host this year.

“Malaysia is well known as a host to many international sporting events, and this will certainly add one more to the list and boost the country as one of the world’s major tourist destinations, as well as promoting Visit Malaysia Year 2014. Penang is the perfect place to host an international event like this with great sporting facilities, amenities and infrastructure as well as the experience to organise a world championship. Besides, this will also be ideal for Nicol to defend her title on home ground,” Lim added.

Commenting on the sponsorship, CIMB Group Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Effendy Shahul Hamid said, “We are thrilled to be involved. CIMB is no stranger to the world of squash and it is only natural for us to play a leading role in a World Championship event.

“Since 2005, through a strong partnership with Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), we have involved ourselves in all aspects of the sport ranging from junior development programmes to sponsorship of the national open. Without a doubt, one of our most visible commercial programmes is being Nicol David’s main sponsor and we are excited she will be defending her world title.”

The tournament that boasts a prize money of US$120,000 and will be organised by Nusmetro, as the official event organiser.

TransCanada has been announced as the new title sponsor of the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton.

“TransCanada has been supporting sport, culture and economic growth across Alberta for over 60 years. We’re proud to showcase this commitment as title sponsor for the World Triathlon Grand Final in Edmonton, which will bring international attention to this dynamic and diverse city,” says Alex Pourbaix, President, Development, TransCanada. “We look forward to building on our relationships with groups like Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton to promote healthy lifestyles and leadership skills through this exciting event.”

“We are pleased to share this exciting news with everyone today,” says 2014 Triathlon Edmonton Board Chair, Don Lowry. “TransCanada as our title sponsor and the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton have stepped up and delivered to support this major event in a significant way. We thank them greatly for their support and confidence and look forward to working with them. We’re bringing the world to Edmonton and this financial support will help us deliver a world class event that showcases the city, the province and especially the volunteers that make these events possible.”

“Hosting international sport events like the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final offers an opportunity for our athletes to compete against some of the world’s best, while bringing a welcome boost to the local economy,” said Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “The Government of Canada is very proud to support Triathlon Canada for the hosting of this event. I want to convey my best wishes to our athletes as they continue their pursuit of excellence here at home.”

“The Government of Alberta is proud to help support this world-class event. The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final is an opportunity to cheer these amazing athletes on, and showcase some of the tremendous culture and spirit in Edmonton to an international audience showing why Alberta is such an incredible place to live and visit,” said Alberta Culture Minister Heather Klimchuk.

“Edmonton is excited about hosting the ITU Grand Final and our City team is working closely with the local organizers to make this the best event yet and live up to Edmonton’s growing reputation as Canada’s triathlon city,” says Deputy Mayor Bryan Anderson, representing Don Iveson. “We are pleased that a partner such as TransCanada has come on board to join us in welcoming the world to our beautiful city in August.”

Plano and Frabill have extended their sponsorship of premier tournament-fishing organisation FLW through the 2014 season. 

Plano acquired Frabill in 2012, creating a partnership with more than 135 years of combined industry experience, values, and product quality. Plano boxes are the No. 1 tackle storage system in fishing and trusted by weekend anglers and FLW Tour professionals alike. Plano will continue supporting FLW across the board in 2014.

In particular, Plano will continue to offer prize packages, featuring bags, boxes and stowaways, to FLW College Fishing anglers participating in its contingency program. Plano also sponsors several standout FLW Tour pros such as Mark Rose, Brent Ehrler and Dan Morehead.

In 2014, Frabill will continue to provide Conservation Series landing nets for use in FLW Tour boats and across several of FLW’s championship events. Additionally, Frabill’s new F-Series Storm Gear will keep a number of anglers on Tour, including Forrest Wood Cup champion Jacob Wheeler, warm and dry in all conditions.

Plano and Frabill will receive exposure across all of FLW’s platforms, including its tournaments and Expos, multiple websites,FLW Bass Fishing magazine and the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show on NBC Sports Network. “FLW” is broadcast Sundays in high-definition (HD) to more than 564 million households worldwide, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoors-sports television show in the world.

Yale University Athletics today announced a sponsorship agreement making Webster Bank “The Official Bank of Yale Athletics.” 

The partnership is a first of its kind for Yale, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.  By partnering with Webster, a leading regional bank serving businesses and consumers from metro New York to Boston, Mass., two dynamic brands are brought together.

The sponsorship agreement comes at a unique time in Yale’s athletic history; the men’s hockey team is the reigning National Champions and the Yale Bowl turns 100 years old.  Tthe three-year agreement provides premium signage, advertising, and promotional and hospitality opportunities at Yale’s athletic events and venues.

“There is a special bond between our two Connecticut institutions and it’s a perfect fit for Webster as a community-focused, values-guided bank,” said Jeff Klaus, regional president for Webster.  “This robust partnership will help support and highlight Yale’s world-class achievements in both educational and athletic excellence.  And with this sponsorship, we hope to bring attention to the significant contributions that Yale makes to the New Haven community and across the state.”

“We are grateful for Webster Bank’s commitment to Yale Athletics,” said Yale Director of Athletics Tom Beckett.  “On behalf of everyone associated with Yale Athletics – our coaches, staff and most importantly, our student-athletes – we are proud to welcome Webster Bank to the Yale Bulldog family.”