The 2014 Special Olympics USA Games announced today that Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, has signed on as a Bronze Level Partner and will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Honored Guests Hospitality Lounges at the eight competition venues during the 2014 USA Games.

As Presenting Sponsor of Honored Guests Hospitality, Wyndham Worldwide will be identified as the official host of the Honored Guest Hospitality Lounges at each of the competition venues, including Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey and Mercer County Park. The Honored Guest Lounges will provide a respite for corporate partners and other credentialed, distinguished guests who are in attendance of the 2014 USA Games, and will be stocked with beverages and snacks. 

“Wyndham Worldwide is a great corporate partner and has been an early supporter of the 2014 USA Games coming to New Jersey. They are committed to helping us garner more attention and funds to this life-changing event,” said TJ Nelligan, chairman and chief executive officer, 2014 Special Olympics USA Games. “In addition to providing top-notch competition opportunities for all the athletes who have qualified to participate in this national event, another goal is to positively impact every individual in attendance. Wyndham Worldwide’s support of the 2014 USA Games allows us to provide additional hospitality components to our venues and provide a spectator experience on par with some of the greatest sporting competitions worldwide.”

“Philanthropy has always been a central focus for our company and supporting our communities is one of the core values at Wyndham Worldwide which has allowed us to support many outstanding charitable organizations,” said Mary Falvey, executive vice president and chief human resources officer, Wyndham Worldwide. “As a family-oriented company committed to creating great experiences for our guests and customers, partnering with the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games provides us with a unique opportunity to give back.”

The 2014 USA Games will be held in New Jersey, June 14-21, 2014. Nearly 3,500 athletes will compete in 16 sports, supported by 1,000 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 70,000 spectators.

Smithfield Foods has expanded their sponsorship of Richard Petty Motorsports in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series.

What began as a seven-race sponsorship deal two years ago has been expanded to 29 for this season and each of the next two years, with the company’s investment in RPM increasing 50 percent each year through 2016. The agreement also includes a contact extension for driver AricAlmirola, which is concurrent with the Smithfield deal.

“It’s tremendous,” said Brian Moffitt, the team’s chief executive officer. “When Richard took back control of the company, him being a champion and a winner, he didn’t just want to run around in the back of the pack. It’s about being competitive. And Smithfield stepping up the way they are, it gives us more testing opportunities, it gives us more to advance research and development. We’ve been able to hire human capital — in our business it’s all about the people, and we’ve been able to invest in some really good people we’ve been able to bring into the company.”

The new agreement puts RPM’s flagship No. 43 car in its best financial shape since Petty and a pair of investors took over a once-foundering organization from former majority owner George Gillett in late 2010. RPM, which receives chassis from Roush Fenway Racing and engines from Roush-Yates, also fields the No. 9 car of Marcos Ambrose. But the No. 43 has long been a symbol of the seven-time champion in the cowboy hat, and Wednesday’s announcement bolstered hopes of ending a winless skid for the vehicle that dates back to 1999.

“Not only are they investing in Richard Petty Motorsports, but they’re investing in our performance, to help us to perform at the level we need to be competitive,” Almirola said. “Because let’s be real — everybody’s seen it for 100 years in racing: money buys speed. The teams with the most money, with the most resources, with all the right tools and right people, and that can afford the right people and the right parts and pieces, are successful. This is a huge step in that direction.”

From Smithfield’s perspective, the relationship with RPM was successful in helping to connect its brand with NASCAR fans, and justified the increased financial commitment. “Our results completely validate our participation,” said Larry Pope, the company’s president and chief executive officer.

National Rugby League team Sydney Roosters have announced Peugeot Automobiles Australia (PAA) as one of the Club’s new major partners in a new three-year deal.

As part of the deal, allergist the global car manufacturer will join the foundation club as the upper chest and top back of jersey sponsor.

General Manager of Sime Darby Automobiles Australia (importer of Peugeot and Citroen), ed John Startari, hospital said: “Our brand signature ‘motion and emotion’ is the heartbeat of our product and the Roosters are a team that display these merits with authenticity and inspiration.”

PAA National Marketing Manager, Dimitri Andreatidis, said: “We want people to experience Peugeot by bringing to life the foundations of our brand including excellence in the quality of our product and the emotion and excitement of our products.”

“We are committed to engineering the most stimulating driving experiences based on the most aesthetic, emotional and ergonomic vehicles,” Andreatidis said.

Welcoming the partnership with the Club, Roosters Chief Operating Officer Commercial, Mr Ted Helliar, said: “We are delighted to enter this significant partnership with Peugeot as we prepare to get our 2014 campaign underway.

“Just like the Roosters, Peugeot has a strong history based on tradition and respect, and a culture focussed on quality and innovation,” said Helliar.

“As our negotiations strengthened, both organisations recognised the vast synergies between our two brands and businesses and we are extremely excited to be delivering our world class product to another world class sponsor.

“It’s a compliment to the Roosters brand and the work we’ve been doing over the last couple of years to welcome another global brand like Peugeot to not only our Club but the game of rugby league, and we look forward to working closely with Peugeot on a number of new initiatives over the next three years,” he added.

Roosters Captain, Anthony Minichiello, will become a brand ambassador for Peugeot and is looking forward to choosing his new car.

“On behalf of the playing group, I’d like to welcome Peugeot to the Roosters. I’m honoured to be coming on board as a Peugeot Ambassador and everyone at the Club is looking forward to working with the team at Peugeot,” said Minichiello.

The ECB Coaches Association has signed a four-year deal with sports equipment and apparel company Gray-Nicolls to provide branded coaching clothing and equipment to its 12, sale 500 members.

ECB Coaches Association offers its members development opportunities, education, and support including providing the latest resources and ideas to help coaches run engaging and inspiring sessions for all cricketers.

Mike Gatting, Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships at ECB, said: “It is a great boost for ECB Coaches Association to partner with a brand with such a great and proud cricketing history.  I have no doubt that the new kit, world-leading coaching equipment and products will be hugely popular with our coaches.”

Richard Gray, Gray-Nicolls Sales & Marketing Director, said: “Gray-Nicolls are very proud to have been awarded the contract to supply coaching clothing and equipment to the ECB Coaches Association and its members, and we are excited by the opportunity to work together to develop products that will help coaches maximise their success with cricketers of all ages and abilities.”

Private jet operator Bookajet, health which has sponsored Bath Rugby and the likes of David Beckham, has announced it will sponsor rising rugby star Rory Lynn.

The young Nottingham fly half emerged from the Leicester Tigers academy alongside George Ford who has been recently selected for the England Rugby squad. The sponsorship deal sees the company, which has a keen interest in fostering rising sporting talent, supporting Rory for the foreseeable future.

“We have been watching Rory for some time and have been impressed by the young man’s ability. After being a Derby and Matlock junior, Rory went on to join George Ford at the Leicester Tigers Academy. He made his senior side debut at just 17 years old, replacing England international Dan Hipkiss for the Tigers against the Ospreys in Bridgend,” says Jonathan Clements, Managing Director, Bookajet.

“We saw a natural talent with a great future ahead of him. He needed to grow in stature and gain experience but now that he is playing regular rugby at fly half for Nottingham, we feel he will evolve into a player to watch for the future.”

Bookajet has been successful in supporting some young professionals who have gone on to become household names.

“Whether we are supporting an individual or a team, as we did with our shirt sponsorship at Bath, our goal is to see new talent develop. Rory Lynn is still young but has an excellent pedigree; he’s a capable player working his way up through the ranks which will stand him in good stead for the future. We wish him the best of luck,” continued Clements.

“I am extremely grateful for Bookajet’s support. The company is well respected with a passion for sport. I hope I can do them proud over the next few seasons,” said Rory Lynn.