Global nutrition company Herbalife announced today it will sponsor Seoul Samsung Thunders, a South Korean professional basketball team, for the 2013-2014 season as their official nutrition sponsor.

The Seoul Samsung Thunders have competed in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), the pre-eminent professional men’s basketball league in South Korea, since the league started 17 years ago.

As part of the sponsorship, Herbalife will contribute to the physical conditioning of the team’s players, coaches and trainers by providing them with nutrition products, including Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix, Liftoff effervescent energy supplement and Protein Bar Deluxe.

Prudential Financial, unhealthy Inc. has signed on as a Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

They will also be Presenting Sponsor of the Games’ Healthy Athletes Experience. The Games will be held June 14-21 throughout Mercer County, doctor New Jersey.

The Healthy Athletes Experience will provide free health screenings – including hearing, symptoms dental, healthy lifestyles, fitness and podiatry – to the nearly 3,500 athletes who will compete in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sporting events. Screenings will take place on the campus of The College of New Jersey.

“The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will be the largest nationwide gathering of Special Olympics athletes and we want to create a pleasant, interactive environment where athletes can be examined by the top medical professionals in the country and learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices that will benefit them on and off the playing field,” said TJ Nelligan, Chairman and CEO of the Games. “Healthy Athletes is one of Special Olympics’ most innovative programs; it is a natural fit for our newest Founding Partner, Prudential, whose reputation epitomizes strength, trust and stability.”

“Prudential is delighted to be a Founding Partner of the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games and we are especially proud to sponsor the Healthy Athletes Experience,” said Stephen Pelletier, who will assume the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Prudential’s U.S. Businesses in April. “The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games’ theme of ‘Welcome and Acceptance’ highlights the importance of creating a culture of inclusion and mirrors Prudential’s deep commitment to diversity.”

The athletes in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games will be supported by 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers that include employees of Prudential, and an anticipated 70,000 spectators. The 2014 USA Games will celebrate the Special Olympics movement, promote the ideals of acceptance and inclusion through sport, and showcase the talents of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, and games will be staged throughout Mercer County, with competitions at venues that include Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Park.

“I am very proud of Prudential’s leadership role in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey,” said Pelletier, who is also executive sponsor of the company’s ADAPT business resource group, which is devoted to promoting understanding and hiring of persons with disabilities. “As an individual, colleague and friend to people with disabilities, and also as a father, I know the value of acceptance and respect for all individuals. Prudential does too.”

STX, bronchi LLC have announced another brand ambassador with Major League Lacrosse (MLL) pro athlete Ben Hunt signing on with a one-year contract.

In his new role, discount Hunt will represent STX at camps, erectile clinics, tournaments and in-store events across the country. The STX Pro Athlete will appear in the company’s marketing and product campaign and use the STX Proton Power head and Stallion padding line while playing for the Chesapeake Bayhawks in MLL games.

“I feel very honored to join the STX family. I grew up in Severna Park, MD using the STX brand for youth and high school lacrosse and most recently with Team USA,” said Hunt. “As a current resident of Baltimore, I am excited to work with a growing global brand that is based right here in Charm City. STX is a lacrosse market leader and I look forward to representing them on and off the MLL field this season.”

A midfielder for the Chesapeake Bayhawks, Hunt was drafted 28th overall in the 2009 MLL Collegiate Draft. During his five seasons with the Bayhawks, Hunt has tallied 79 goals, 14 two-point goals and 23 assists. Hunt has been named 3x MLL Champion and 2x MLL All-Star. 

“We’re thrilled to add such a clear MLL standout to our roster,” said Greg Tate, STX Men’s Marketing Manager. “The fact that Ben lives in Baltimore and plays for the Bayhawks will allow to work closely with him on new products and regional events.”

Hunt joins Florida Launch’s Tucker Durkin and Charlotte Hounds’ Ryan Young as the third MLL athlete to become an STX pro-athlete since STX announced that it was an official equipment sponsor for the MLL.

New hotel chain Amba Hotels has been announced as the new title sponsor of the inaugural City of London Mile, cough which has been named the ‘Amba Hotels City of London Mile.’ 

A range of runners from international elites and Olympic medallists through to school-age children and business teams will have the opportunity to run in the new event — which is being held, for the very first time, in the year which marks 60 years since Sir Roger Bannister ran the world’s first sub-four-minute mile. 

The Amba Hotels City of London Mile is set to rival New York’s famous NYRR Fifth Avenue Mile and is open to everyone, raising funds for the two official charity partners Macmillan Cancer Support and Trinity Hospice. Organisers of London’s newest and most accessible race expect up to 5,000 people to take part and run Britain’s most historically important distance. 

Taking place on Sunday June 22^nd, the Amba Hotels City of London Mile starts and finishes next to St. Paul’s Cathedral and follows a historic route, which takes in Mansion House, the Bank of England, Guildhall & St Mary le Bow Church. The route also covers part of the London Olympic Marathon course.

Amba Hotels CEO, Belinda Atkins commented: “Amba’s sponsorship of the City of London Mile is part of Amba’s ambition and commitment to support and be an active part of London’s cultural and sporting scene.” 

“At Amba our promise to guests is personalised service, seamless technology that actually works and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world.  The Amba Hotels City of London Mile is one of those authentic experiences which we will grow year-on-year for the enjoyment of Londoners and visitors to the capital alike.” 

Amba will be lending its name and support to the race and a new event logo has been launched today. 

Race Director Tom Snow commented: “We are pleased to welcome Amba Hotels as the title sponsor of the City of London Mile, and we are looking forward to growing the race and to fulfilling the Olympic Legacy in the heart of the city with their support. The course is iconic, fast and flat, and with the Mile being Britain’s most historically important distance we look forward to bringing the Amba Hotels City of London Mile to the city in June.” 

Further official race partners announced so far include London Athletics, Run!, High 5, One New Change and Run-Fast.

The Australian Football League (AFL) has announced today that Australia’s largest hotel group, Accor, will be their official hotel partner. 

Under the terms of the two-year partnership, the AFL, its clubs and subsidiaries will stay at Accor hotels across Australia and New Zealand.

Accor operates more than 200 hotels across Australia, including many hotels close to AFL venues. 

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said: “We are pleased to welcome the Accor hotel group to the AFL and we look forward to utilising the Accor network over the next two years.

“As Australia’s game there is a natural synergy between the AFL and Australia’s largest hotel group. This partnership ensures the vast number of people that make up the AFL industry have access to an exceptional level of service and support in relation to accommodation.”

As part of the agreement, 70 Accor hotels including Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, The Sebel Launceston, The Sebel Playford Adelaide, Novotel Brisbane, Mercure Perth and Mercure Wellington will accommodate AFL corporate travel and teams.

Accor Pacific chief operating officer, Simon McGrath said, “We are very pleased to have been selected by the AFL as its exclusive hotel partner, but what makes this agreement particularly special is that it goes well beyond simply providing accommodation. Accor is very selective in terms of which organisations we partner with, and we will be looking to work with the AFL in areas such as indigenous programs, job development and a range of activity across digital and social media that benefit both our organisations.

“Accor has the range of accommodation styles to suit the needs of the AFL and its clubs and no other group can offer such a wide choice of locations across the country. It was logical for such a premier sporting organisation to join with Australia’s largest and most dynamic hotel group. We believe it will be an outstanding partnership that will benefit both parties considerably.

“We have had a long experience working with major sporting bodies such as the Australian Olympic team, Swimming Australia and the National Rugby League so we are very much used to looking after the needs of elite sports people.”

The Off-Road Championship (TORC), capsule | a US-based short-course, order off-road racing series, allergist has announced that VP Racing Fuels will be its Official Fuel for the 2014 season.

All TORC competitors will be powered by the company’s high-performance racing fuels beginning with the April 5-6 ‘Duel in the Desert’ race in Primm, NV.

As part of its sponsorship, VP will establish a contingency program to reward racers based on performance parameters. In addition, VP will provide trackside fuel service at each event, which will include an online pre-order procedure to provide for convenient delivery of specific fuels to teams at the track.

“We believe in BJ Birtwell’s vision for off-road racing and are excited to partner with him and his team as the Official Fuel of TORC,” said Steve Scheidker, VP’s Director of Marketing. “Over the years, VP has become the fuel of choice for many TORC competitors, so the partnership is a natural fit. It also provides a unique opportunity to build awareness for VP Racing Fuels and our growing roster of consumer products, as well as the VP-branded gas stations that are part of our retail branding initiative.”

As the Official Fuel of TORC, VP will gain extensive brand visibility through media exposure including television, radio, print, digital and social media as well as display space, track signage and fan activation at TORC events.

“We are very proud to have a partner with the stature of VP Racing Fuels join the TORC team as our Official Fuel,” said TORC President BJ Birtwell. “VP has an extraordinary legacy in motorsports, and it’s exciting to be part of that family. We’re also confident that our drivers will appreciate the performance benefits of VP Racing Fuels.”

Birmingham City Ladies have announced Sondico, an affiliated company of Vandanel, will supply the first-team, reserve side and centre of excellence with kit, training wear and accessories for the next two years.

England internationals Karen Carney, Kirsty Linnett and Mary Earps were on hand to model the new-look home, away and goalkeeper kits at the official launch at St. Andrew’s Stadium.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finalists will take to the field in an all blue home kit and all white away kit for the forthcoming campaign, with the club’s goalkeepers to sport an eye-catching all orange strip.

Blues’ head of commercial, Ian Dutton, said: “We are delighted to secure Sondico as the new technical partner for Birmingham City Ladies Football Club. The Sondico brand is recognised globally and we are very proud to have this association. With the ladies’ side’s recent move to Solihull, the rise of the FA WSL and the rapid growth of ladies football in general, we see this season as being an outstanding campaign for building relationships with credible brands. May I take this opportunity to thank Sondico and the Vandanel as we look forward to working together over the next two seasons and beyond.”

Neil Burke, Sondico sales director, said: “We’re extremely proud to have signed with Birmingham City Ladies FC. They’re a team full of promise and talented players and aligning our brand with the team was something we were eager to do. We’re really excited by this new partnership and to add the club to our roster.”