Baltimore-based STX, LLC, a global sporting goods leader,has signed an endorsement deal with NHL Player Matt Moulson while also securing a multi-year partnership with USA Hockey.

The four-year partnership with USA Hockey makes STX both an official sponsor and equipment supplier of USA Hockey.  Additionally, the deal names STX as the official sponsor of the Toyota-USA Hockey Youth, Girls and High School National Championships.  As part of the agreement, STX will equip members of the national teams with product, including the National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, MI and the US Olympic Teams.

To top off that announcement, STX signed Matt Moulson, one of the most prolific NHL goal scorers of the past four years, to a multi-year endorsement deal. As the face of STX Hockey, the Buffalo Sabres left-winger will use STX sticks in games and transition to wear STX gloves once the product is finalized. Moulson will also provide feedback on the equipment to help STX design and develop equipment that meets and exceeds player expectations.

“As a lacrosse player who grew up with STX, I was excited when I found out they were getting into ice hockey,” said Moulson. “It’s easy to see how much time STX has spent researching exactly what players are asking for and developing equipment to meet those needs. I’m really looking forward to our partnership.

“For more than two years, we have taken a very methodical and deliberate approach by leveraging our existing knowledge of protective gear and stick composites to create products of which we are really proud. Moulson has proved to be one of the most productive goal scorers in recent years, and who better to help consult us with our products in this next stage of development,” said Jason Goger, President of STX. “These partnerships poise STX for a long future with the NHL and USA Hockey.”

Hyundai has announced today it has expanded its golf presence by becoming the official vehicle of the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and vehicle partner for the Farmers Insurance Open.

With these additional golf sponsorships, drugs PGA TOUR players will drive Hyundai vehicles in three out of the first four PGA TOUR events in the 2014 calendar year. 

“We think golf is an excellent fit for the Hyundai brand and are excited to further our relationship with two of the best tournaments on the PGA TOUR’s West Coast Swing,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “These tournaments come shortly after the Hyundai Tournament of Champions and allow us to continue the momentum we established in Maui. They also provide even more exposure for our vehicles among PGA TOUR players and golf fans everywhere.”

Hyundai’s flagship Equus, Genesis sedan, Azera, Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport CUVs will be offered to all 156 players in each event, along with tournament staff and executives. At each tournament there will also be numerous displays and hole-in-one opportunities. As an added benefit for the PGA TOUR players, those playing in both tournaments will be able to keep their vehicle for two weeks and use it to drive from the Humana Challenge in La Quinta, Calif. to the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla, Calif. since the events are held on consecutive weeks.

The Farmers Insurance Open takes place from Jan. 23-26 in La Jolla, Calif. and is played at the world-famous Torrey Pines South.

The University of California (UCLA) Baseball program has renewed its sponsorship deal with Easton, medicine extending the commitment through the 2025 season.

“Easton has proven year after year that they are the number one manufacturer of college baseball equipment, ampoule ” UCLA head baseball coach John Savage said. “Everyone involved with UCLA Baseball is excited to continue this relationship, and we are very pleased that our players will exclusively use Easton equipment for years to come.”

Easton has been a longtime sponsor of the UCLA baseball program, providing its teams with equipment such as bats, batting gloves, catcher’s equipment, batting helmets and fielding gloves. Serving as UCLA’s equipment sponsor during last season’s 2013 National Championship run, under the terms of the new deal, the Bruins will continue their exclusive use of Easton products on the diamond for the next decade-plus.

“Easton Sports is incredibly proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the UCLA Baseball program,” said Calin Thomas, Director of Sports Marketing for Easton. “UCLA Athletics and Easton Sports are built on foundations of innovation, tradition and excellence. Easton prides itself on high performing products and sports engineering. We constantly strive to improve athlete’s performance levels. It is our goal to help the Bruins get to Omaha year in and year out and add to the NCAA record of National Championships in Westwood.”

DuPont Pioneer has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Canadian Curling Association (CCA) as an official sponsor of the CCA’s Season of Champions. 

Debbie Stiles, marketing manager, DuPont Pioneer, made the announcement at a media conference today from the Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“Pioneer is a world-class leader in plant genetics, with our hearts in rural Canada,” said Stiles. “We are delighted to make this three-year commitment to support the Canadian curling community, which includes many of our staff, sales reps and customers.”

The Pioneer sponsorship officially started on Jan. 1, 2014, and will support several events in 2014, including the World Financial Group Continental Cup – Las Vegas, M&M Meat Shops Canadian Juniors – Liverpool, N.S., Scotties Tournament of Hearts – Montreal, Tim Hortons Brier – Kamloops, B.C. andFord World Women’s Championship, presented by Booster Juice – Saint John, N.B.

“We’re excited to go forward with Pioneer in this new agreement,” said Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Curling Association. “Their support is another indicator of the popularity of the CCA’s Season of Champions properties, both with our great curling fans as well as the corporate community in Canada. Pioneer is a well-respected company in the field of agriculture, and we’re confident that both sides will reap the benefits of this partnership.”

“Both the CCA and DuPont Pioneer value, encourage and facilitate growth and development in our respective businesses making this a meaningful opportunity for all,” added Stiles.

Fuchs Lubricants NZ has been confirmed as a major partner for the upcoming 2014 season of the V8 SuperTourers Series which will race seven rounds throughout New Zealand.

Fuchs Lubricants NZ is part of the wholly owned Australian subsidiary. The global brand is the world’s largest independent manufacturer and supplier of lubricants, asthma providing specialist lubricant solutions for the Automotive, doctor Industrial, Agricultural, Food Grade and Forestry sectors, to name a few.

General Manager Sales & Marketing of the V8 SuperTourers Mike Marsden said: “We are thrilled to have Fuchs on board as a major sponsor and believe that the Series is a perfect fit for them. They will be able to communicate their key messages to the target audience, whilst reaping many other sponsor benefits such as brand awareness, media, corporate hosting and audience reach.” 

Bevan Killian, Commercial Sales Manager of Fuchs Lubricants NZ, added that in supporting the V8 SuperTourers, Fuchs Lubricants can again prove their products in one of New Zealand’s most competitive motorsport environments.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to not only showcase Fuchs Lubricants as the leading independent lubricant manufacturer but to also show our support for NZ Motorsport. We believe it’s a fantastic time for us to get in amongst the people that are as passionate about Motorsport and the V8 SuperTourers as we are. I look forward to seeing everybody at the track enjoying this motorsport Series,” says Mr Killian.

The V8 SuperTourers will kick off the first round at Highlands Park in Cromwell on January 25th and 26th. There will be seven rounds throughout the year, including both sprint driving and endurance racing.

The Australian Baseball League (ABL) and Baseball Australia have extended their partnership with Rawlings Sporting Goods in a new three year deal through 2017.

Rawlings will serve as the official baseball of the ABL and Baseball Australia, as well as the batting helmet and catchers gear provider for both organisations.

These landmark partnerships exemplify the all-of-sport approach baseball has adopted in the country by securing joint partners for its professional league and government association.

“Rawlings has stood by our side since the inception of the ABL, the opportunity to align with a company with such a storied sports history such as Rawlings, is a great win for our league and demonstrates that global companies are taking notice of the growth of baseball in Australia,” said Peter Wermuth, Chief Executive Officer of the Sydney-based ABL.

Rawlings has held the designation as the official ball supplier of Major League Baseball since 1977, and has existed as a major player in the sporting goods industry since the company was founded in St. Louis, Missouri in 1887. The upcoming MLB Opening Series games at Sydney Cricket Ground will be using Rawlings’ authentic MLB baseballs, stamped with the commemorative special event logo celebrating MLB’s return to Australia.

“Australia continues to be a robust growth market for Rawlings,” said Kurt Hunzeker, senior director of global brand marketing for St. Louis, Missouri-based Rawlings. “As a proud partner of the ABL since its inaugural year in 2010, and with Major League Baseball opening the 2014 Championship Season in Australia, Rawlings is committed to doing everything we can to help grow the game across the continent. The new partnership with Baseball Australia provides us a great opportunity to engage would-be Australian players of all ages and skill levels and introduce them to Rawlings’ legendary baseball product lines.”

Baseball Australia began using Rawlings baseballs during its national tournaments this week, and Hunzeker will present the gold medals to the U16 national champions next Tuesday in Blacktown.

“Baseball Australia is proud to announce their new partnership with Rawlings,” said Brett Pickett, chief executive officer of Gold Coast, Queensland-based Baseball Australia. “To have the support of one of the premier sporting good providers for baseball is not only significant but continues to validate that we are on the right track for the evolution of the sport.”

Birmingham City FC have announced a new partnership with Ukash, the leading online cash payment provider.

The link-up will allow Blues fans, who do not have access to credit or debit cards, the facility to buy tickets and merchandise as well as making bets using online cash.

In turn, the partnership will help to increase revenue opportunities for the football club while increasing brand exposure for Ukash through stadium and perimeter advertising as well as a range of e-marketing activities.

“We are tremendously excited by the opportunities to increase exposure for the Ukash brand through this relationship with Birmingham City Football Club” said David Hunter, CEO, Ukash.

“With up to 1 million visitors attending St Andrew’s Stadium a year, this gives us a fantastic captive audience for our proposition. Plus we believe the global audience for the Sky Bet Championship, which is broadcast in up to 92 territories, will very effectively support our own global ambitions.”

Shaun Petafi, Blues’ football sales manager, added: “With the rapid growth Ukash have experienced recently we’re thrilled to be an integral part of their marketing strategy.

“We look forward to building a long-term relationship with Ukash and providing our supporters with another convenient online payment solution. This system aims to add value to the Blues fans that prefer cash transactions, making online retail more accessible for all of our supporters”

The European Tour has revealed the 2014 Irish Open will return to Cork for the first time in 12 years after confirming the Fota Island Resort will become an Official Sponsor as well as host venue of the Championship.

The 2014 Irish Open will return to Cork for the first time in 12 years after confirmation that the magnificent Fota Island Resort, which was recently purchased by Chinese investors The Kang Group Worldwide, 

The Irish Open was last played in Cork – the country’s most southerly county – in 2002 when Denmark’s Søren Hansen took the title at Fota Island. The Resort, hich was recently purchased by Chinese investors The Kang Group Worldwide, also hosted the Championship in 2001, when Colin Montgomerie won the last of his three Irish Opens.

The presence of The European Tour’s new generation of stars, led by Rory McIlroy, will deliver a significant boost to the region, and the World Number Six and double Major Champion is looking forward to the challenge of Fota Island’s Deerpark Course from June 19-22.

Jonathan Woods, Chief Executive Officer at Fota Island Resort, said: “Since the last two occasions Fota Island Resort hosted the Irish Open, back to back in 2001 and 2002, so many significant investments and developments have taken place at the Resort itself and with our golf courses and facilities.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to reintroduce the players, the public and the world’s media to Fota Island Resort, and to what is now a world-class, international golf venue. The Irish Open will be an enormously important event for tourism in Cork and the surrounding area, which is not just an added bonus for Fota Island Resort but for the whole region too.”

Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar described the Irish Open as ‘a pivotal event for sport and tourism in Ireland’.

“Golf is one of Ireland’s most important tourist activities. Around 160,000 overseas visitors take part in golf during their visit to Ireland every year, contributing €202 million to the economy. The Irish Open is a great advertisement for Irish golf, showcasing our beautiful scenery, world class courses and facilities and warm and friendly people. And this year we can look forward to watching the event at one of Ireland’s most beautiful golf courses in Fota,” Minister Varadkar said.

With more than 400 courses on the island, including over 30% of the world’s links courses, golf is a significant draw for overseas visitors to Ireland and Fáilte Ireland view the Irish Open as a significant vehicle for marketing the country to golfers all around the world.

George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “It has been a busy few days in Ireland and we are delighted to make this announcement regarding the support of Fota Island, Cork’s City and County Councils as well as BAM Contractors.

“Having hosted two Irish Opens at the Fota Island Resort, we know the Irish Open will have a fitting home at this superb venue.

“The new owners of the Fota Island Resort – The Kang Family – have impressive ambitions.  By securing the 2014 Irish Open they will now be able to showcase their resort and the beautiful surroundings of County Cork to the world via The European Tour’s global television network.”