The organisers of the 2014 Gay Games have reached out to corporate sponsors of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia inviting them to demonstrate their commitment to diversity in sports by becoming sponsors of next year’s Gay Games. T

The Gay Games, one of the world’s largest inclusive multi-sporting events, will take place in Cleveland+Akron, Ohio, with an expected 10,000 participants competing in 36-plus sport and cultural events.

“Russia’s anti-gay laws serve as a global reminder of why the Gay Games, begun more than 30 years ago, are needed today,” says Steve Sokany, co-chair of the 2014 Gay Games. “As long as LGBT athletes are not free to compete openly everywhere in the world, the Gay Games are a necessity. They reinforce the value of allowing people to participate in sports as their true selves without fear of legal and/or social repercussions.”

Organisers of the 2014 Gay Games have joined the LGBT Sport Coalition in inviting all those affiliated with the Olympics, from the International Olympic Committee to the media covering the Russia games, to discuss the repressive anti-gay laws in the host country and work so all LGBT Olympians are able to compete openly, proudly and without any negative consequences.

“The Gay Games were founded by Olympic decathlete Tom Waddell as a ‘vehicle of change.’ That mission continues today,” says Hollie Ksiezyk, co-chair of the 2014 Gay Games.

“The Gay Games’ motto is Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best. The Gay Games are open to all adults regardless of sexual orientation or athletic ability,” says Ksiezyk. “We already are seeing the world come together in that spirit.”

To date, Gay Games 9, the organization planning and implementing the 2014 Gay Games, has heard back from three of the 24 corporations that were contacted. All three declined to become sponsors. “We are hopeful that among the remaining corporations we have not yet heard from that there are several who will step up and show their support for the ideals of the Gay Games,” says Sokany.

US insurance firm AIG has announced a sponsorship deal with Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (Dublin GAA), allergy one of the 32 county boards of the GAA. 

The deal, doctor | which is a reported €2 million (US$2.7m) over five years will see AIG take over from Vodafone as the sponsors of the county’s hurling and football teams at all levels.

In a new departure, the ladies football and camogie teams will also come under the one sponsorship umbrella.

The agreement will come into effect on 1 November.

Dublin county board chairman Andy Kettle has welcomed the new deal and said: “This sponsorship deal is a really significant boost to everyone associated with Dublin GAA.

The strength of the Dublin brand is illustrated by our ability to negotiate this outstanding deal in a depressed economic market.

“AIG is a blue chip organisation with a proven track record in sponsorship and they are going to be an exceptional partner and they fully understand what we are trying to achieve in Dublin.”

Burger King Corp. has entered a three-year partnership with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting System, doctor Inc to be the official quick service restaurant partner of the NCAA.

As an Official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, cialis the Burger King brand will join forces to connect with fans through a year-round marketing program with sponsorships of all 89 college sports championships, including the NCAA Men’s Final Four.

“By partnering with the NCAA, we will join in the brand commitment to education and college athletics creating a national and local marketing platform that truly connects our two iconic brands with the fans that love them,” said Eric Hirschhorn, chief marketing officer, North America, Burger King Worldwide. “We are inspiringly passionate about great food and quality service. The goal is to embed the Burger King brand in the fan excitement surrounding NCAA March Madnesschampionship and the other 89 NCAA championships.”

“Burger King is one of the most recognized national and global quick service restaurant brands in the food service industry, and we’re excited they’ve decided to join our Corporate Champion and Partner family in support of NCAA student-athletes and NCAA championships,” said Keith Martin, managing director of NCAA championships and alliances.

“Top brands continue to partner with the NCAA, Turner Sports and CBS Sports for exclusive access to 89 NCAA championships, which includes the Final Four,” Martin continued. “We look forward to Burger King brand’s participation in our corporate partner family and its commitment to education and college athletics.”

The corporate partnership includes media, merchandising and on-site event opportunities, and allows the Burger King brand the ability to utilize all NCAA trademarks and logos. The partnership will kick off this fall with local franchisees gearing up to activate programs across the nation. This deal was brokered by Starcom USA, Burger King restaurants media buying and planning agency.

“BURGER KING brand is a perfect fit for the NCAA, reaching millions of BURGER KING guests each day who share a passion for food and collegiate athletics across 23 sports, 89 championships and over 800 sites around the country each year,” said Will Funk, senior vice president of NCAA partnerships and branded programming within Turner Sports Ad Sales. “We couldn’t be more excited to have them join our roster of outstanding brands and look forward to building a unique activation plan that resonates with fans nationwide.”

“Burger King brand’s extensive franchisee network and guest base is clearly passionate about great food and quality service, just as fans of intercollegiate athletics are deeply connected to and engaged with the schools they support,” said Chris Simko, senior vice president, CBS Sports Sales and Marketing. “We are excited to launch this partnership between Burger King, the NCAA, CBS and Turner, providing more frequent NCAA championship interaction for these audiences across more touch points than ever before.”

Burger King brand will have a customized, national TV campaign surrounding the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament airing on TNT, TBS, truTV and CBS as well as a comprehensive digital campaign on March Madness Live, NCAA.com, Bleacher Report and CBSSports.com.

As part of the 14-year multi-media agreement with the NCAA, CBS and Turner Sports are licensed and collaborate on the NCAA corporate marketing program.

A-League club Adelaide United have extended their partnership with Stratco as their official Community Partner for the 2013/14 season

One of the largest producers and marketers of quality building and home improvement products in Australia, clinic Stratco returns as one of Adelaide United’s key partners having at one stage previously occupied the ‘back of shirt’ sponsorship.

Adelaide United CEO Glenn Elliott commented on the deal: “It’s tremendous that an organisation of Stratco’s standing and reputation has committed to supporting the club’s community program,” Mr Elliott said.

“Stratco have shown in their previous tenure as a sponsor how passionate they are about the game and particularly this club, so it is fantastic to be able to welcome them back into the Adelaide United family and have them involved in the round ball football code again.”

“The club’s absolute focus in the community is to reach out to schools, clubs and everywhere in between, and the Stratco partnership enables us to do that, helping take the Adelaide United brand and the game to more kids and more people throughout not only South Australia but also the Northern Territory.”

Stratco’s National Marketing Manager, Shane Jones, added: “We are extremely excited to be involved with Adelaide United again in this partnership which gives something back to the local community,” Mr Jones said.

“The local South Australian community has always, and continues to be very loyal to us and we very much appreciate this support.”

“Of significant appeal to us was that this community program reaches beyond the inner Adelaide Metro area and touches regional communities both in South Australia and the Northern Territory.”

“Supporting this, Stratco employs local people across many of these regions with stores located in Darwin, Alice Springs, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Whyalla, the Riverland, Murray Bridge, Mount Gambier, Goolwa, Victor Harbor as well as our six metropolitan stores around Adelaide. Wouldn’t it be great if one of these school children who are lucky enough to attend one of these coaching clinics ends up playing for Adelaide United – that would be sensational!”

National University has acquired the title sponsorship rights to the 2013 Holiday Bowl.

The sponsorship takes effect with this year’s game, scheduled for Dec. 30 at Qualcomm Stadium between teams from the Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences.

National University is a San Diego-based institution of higher education and its website touts it as the “second-largest private, non profit institution of higher education in California and 12th largest in the United States.” It offers a range of online degree programs from the associates level to the masters level.

Unlike the Holiday Bowl’s previous sponsor, Bridgepoint Education, National University is a non-profit institution. According to its 2011 Form 990, the organization’s net income was more than $25.2 million.

Bridgepoint Education sponsored the Holiday Bowl from 2010-12, but their contract with the bowl expired after the 2012 game, and in June the bowl announced that both parties had decided to part ways.

At the time of that announcement, Holiday Bowl officials said they wanted a new sponsor to sign a multi-year deal that would be in the low-seven figures.

Antigua Sailing Week has announced that Gill North America has come on board as Official Exclusive Clothing Sponsor.

David Pritchard, vialis 40mg President of Gill North America, ed spoke about the partnership with Antigua Sailing Week and the Antigua Sailing Week Gill collection.

“Antigua Sailing Week is a very well organised event with growing participation and our involvement is a natural extension of our regatta support in the Caribbean. Gill has enjoyed a growing market share in the Caribbean over the past five years, in part due to the development of our UV ranges ideally suited to the region. We are therefore delighted that we have the opportunity to work with Antigua Sailing Week for 2014 and onwards.”

The Antigua Sailing Week Gill collection is a combination of marine causal and technical styles including the new Elements collection.

“Antigua Sailing Week is delighted to welcome such a well known sailing brand to partner the regatta,” commented Alison Sly Adams, Head of Marketing. “This partnership further endorses Antigua Sailing Week’s  positive trend towards focusing on the sailors and ensuring we are giving them more of what they want, encapsulated by our tagline ‘where sailing comes first’. Gill produces a fantastic range of clothing made from fabrics ideally suited to the Caribbean climate. We’re looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”

The initial Antigua Sailing Week Gill collection is currently being developed and will include a launch in hotels and other retail outlets around Antigua and an online store front where crew will be able to order team shirts in advance of the regatta as well as individual items from the full Antigua Sailing Week Gill collection.

USANA Health Sciences Inc., a global nutritional supplements company, has announced three new brand ambassadors with Sochi-hopefuls World Champion ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson and 2010 Vancouver medalists: U.S. Short Track Speedskater, Travis Jayner and Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team member, Meaghan Mikkelson joining the team.

The three winter athletes will represent USANA on the global stage as they prepare for the impending Winter Games.

“More than 600 world-class athletes trust their health and careers to USANA’s NSF and HFL-tested nutritional products, and more than half of them are involved in winter sports,” said USANA Chief Communications Officer Dan Macuga. “We are honored to sponsor these professionals and wish them the very best as the prepare to compete for the highest honors, in their respective sports and for their respective countries, this February.”

Hendrickson has won a U.S. title, a World Championship gold medal and a World Cup globe all before the age of twenty.

Hendrickson said: “While I’m thankful for all of my partners and the support I’ve received, USANA stands apart from some of the rest because they provide me with the personalized nutrition I need to get back on the hill and compete at the highest level.”

Vancouver gold medalist Mikkelson is also a five-time IIHF Women’s World Championships medalist, with one gold and four silver honors. With less than four months to prepare mentally and physically for Sochi, the defensive player now has her eyes set on repeating her gold status during what will be the largest Winter Games to date.

“USANA offers athletes safe and effective supplements that are essential in sustaining energy levels and overall health and wellness, and with their support I believe I can reach my goals on the international stage,” said Mikkelson.

31-year-old speedskater Jayner also holds more than 20 World Cup medals, is a four-time World Championship medalist and the only male short track athlete to medal in all four Olympic distances in one World Cup season. With only four months to prepare for the Winter Games Jayner is currently focused on staying strong, healthy and securing gold in February.

“As a world-class athlete, I’m pushing my body to its limits every day, and with USANA, not only am I getting amazing products that make me feel great, but I’m also getting the piece of mind that USANA is striving for excellence, the same way I am,” said Jayner. “I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this incredible team.”