The Tampa Tribune will continue its multi-year sponsorship of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will extend its participation in the team’s elite Pewter Partner group. 

As part of the agreement, The Tampa Tribune will continue to be Tampa Bay’s official newspaper of the Buccaneers.

“The Buccaneers have shared a close relationship with The Tampa Tribune from the club’s earliest days, when Tribune legend Tom McEwen first led the charge to bring an NFL franchise to the region,” Buccaneers Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer said. “The Tribune is a valuable and committed sponsor and our team couldn’t be more pleased to continue this partnership.” 

“We are very excited to extend our long-standing Pewter Partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” said William R. Barker, president and publisher of The Tampa and St. Petersburg Tribune and TBO.com. “Buccaneers football speaks a universal language to so many in the greater Tampa area. As Tampa’s number one news source, everyone here at the Tribune and TBO is delighted to continue our partnership and support of the Bucs organization, its players and fans. Go Bucs.” 

Natwest has upped their presence in English cricket by announcing they will be the title sponsor of Twenty20 (T20) cricket at international, medstore county and recreational level from 2014.

It is considered a major deal as it will be the first time a single format sponsorship of the game has been offered to one organisation by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

The four year deal includes England’s eight international T20 fixtures against Sri Lanka (two matches – 2014 and 2016), order India, New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. NatWest will continue its support of the women’s game through its title sponsorship of England Women’s home international T20 fixtures.

NatWest will also become the title sponsor of the county T20 competition with the majority of matches being played on Friday nights from 2014. 

In recreational cricket, NatWest retains the title sponsorship of the extremely successful annual NatWest CricketForce weekend (4^th-6^th April 2014 being the thirteenth event) – where thousands of cricket clubs hold volunteer events to boost investment in grounds and facilities prior to each season. NatWest will also become the lead sponsor of the ECB’s National Club T20 competition which runs across 32 recreational league competition culminating with the Finals Day shown live on Sky Sports.

NatWest will also title sponsor the NatWest Women’s T20 competition – which 33 County Boards compete in, across three regional groups (Midlands & North, South & West, and South). 

NatWest has enjoyed a number of title sponsorship properties in its 32-year involvement with cricket – beginning with the domestic NatWest Trophy (1981-2000), before switching to international cricket with the NatWest ODI Series (2000-2013) which included the NatWest Challenge (2003-2005), and the NatWest T20 Series (2006-2013).

David Collier, ECB Chief Executive, said: “NatWest has been a wonderful and loyal supporter of cricket over the past three decades. They have been involved from the club game all the way up to England teams. ECB is delighted that this long-standing partnership will continue to flourish through NatWest’s support of the T20 format which, as we have witnessed this season, continues to attract a new and growing audience for cricket throughout England and Wales.”

Les Matheson, Managing Director of Retail Products & Marketing, NatWest said: “With well over thirty years supporting English cricket, we are the longest-standing sponsor of cricket anywhere in the world and are delighted to be extending this involvement through the most exciting and engaging format of the game.

“The Twenty20 game, at all levels, gives us the opportunity to engage our branch network and reach out to our customers all over the country. This new deal will also give us the opportunity to continue rewarding our customers.”

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Mercedes-Benz has announced they have extended their sponsorship deal with the PGA of America until 2017.

The German car brand, impotent which has been a sponsor of the PGA Tour since 2010, inked the new deal to elevate its status as the “Official Patron” and “Official Vehicle” of the PGA of America, PGA Championship and Senior PGA Championship.

Mercedes-Benz will also obtain the US rights as “Official Patron” of the 2014 Ryder Cup and global rights excluding Europe for the 2016 Ryder Cup. 

“We are delighted that Mercedes-Benz has once again recognized the great value of aligning with the PGA Professional and the game of golf by extending its relationship with The PGA of America and our high-profile spectator Championships,” said Pete Bevacqua, chief executive officer of The PGA of America.

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Vauxhall Motors has inked a renewal to its deal with the Irish Football Association (IFA) retaining its status as Lead Partner to the Northern Ireland national teams.

The sponsorship, herbal which began in January 2011, will now run until July 2018, up to and including the FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia.

Vauxhall Chairman and Managing Director, Duncan Aldred, commented: “The passion that the Northern Ireland fans show at every game is inspirational and was a key factor in our decision to extend the sponsorship.

“We have experienced fantastic levels of brand awareness over the past three years, and look forward to the ongoing relationship with the Irish FA for the extended period as lead partner.

“This partnership is a clear and unequivocal sign of Vauxhall’s long standing commitment to Northern Irish football and will provide support from grassroots up to the elite level.”

Announcing the extension at the Charles Hurst retailer in Lisburn, Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said: “The support that we have received from Vauxhall has been phenomenal and has installed a confidence and belief in the national team.

“There is a real optimism surrounding the future of Northern Irish football and we are delighted that Vauxhall will be an integral part of it.

“I look forward to sustaining a prosperous partnership that will inspire Michael O’Neill’s side for the rest of the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualification period and into the UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.”

The International Federation of PGA Tours has reached an agreement with Bridgestone for the auto parts manufacturer to renew its title sponsorship of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club through 2018.

Bridgestone, a world leader in tire innovation and technology, first began sponsoring the Bridgestone Invitational in 2006, and the current title sponsorship agreement runs through 2014. The Bridgestone Invitational is played at the famed Firestone Country Club’s South Course in Akron, Ohio.

Bridgestone also extended its Official Marketing Partner relationship with the PGA TOUR through 2018 and will remain as the “Official Tire of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.” 

“Golf’s increasing global reach, as well as the international scope of the World Golf Championships align closely with Bridgestone’s long history in the sport and our position as the world’s largest manufacturer of tires and rubber products,” said Maasaki Tsuya, CEO, Bridgestone Corporation. “This sponsorship will further enhance the power of the Bridgestone brand and continue to provide additional worldwide channels for us to grow.”

“Bridgestone has been part of the PGA TOUR and World Golf Championships family since 2006, and we are so pleased to extend what has been such a successful partnership through 2018,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “Coupled with their Official Marketing Partnership extension, Bridgestone represents one of the largest partners within the PGA TOUR family. They utilize the PGA TOUR platform on a global scale, activating in impactful and innovative ways, not only in the United States but across Asia and most notably in Japan. Of course, the Bridgestone Invitational, thanks to the leadership and commitment of Bridgestone, continues to showcase the very best in professional golf to the world.  It also brings tremendous economic and charitable impact to Northeast Ohio, aligning perfectly with Bridgestone’s commitment to the Northeast Ohio community, which has spanned generations and cannot be understated.”

“Our sponsorship of the Bridgestone Invitational is a tremendous vehicle to promote the Bridgestone brand. It also reconfirms our commitment to the PGA TOUR; worldwide golf fans; and our Akron-area neighbors,” said Gary Garfield, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. “As proud corporate citizens, we are thrilled with the impact the Bridgestone Invitational has in the region.”

Tiger Woods capped off this year’s event with a seven shot victory showcasing his return to form.

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Nike have confirmed they have ended their deal with Ryan Braun becoming the second sponsor to do so following his Major League Baseball suspension. 

The Milwaukee Brewers left fielder, who was suspended 65 games for violating MLB’s drug policy, also lost American convenient store chain Kwik Trip Inc and Muscle Milk as endorsements following the scandal.

ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell broke the news of Braun’s contract being terminated and KeJuan Wilkins, a Nike spokesman, confirmed that Braun and Nike no longer have a relationship.

Nike personal endorsees have not been shy of controversy of late as deals with Lance Armstrong (doping violations) and Oscar Pistorius (murder charge) were ended. 

But the sports retail giant did stick by Tiger Woods during his sex scandal in 2009-10.

Braun is currently still sponsored by SURG Restaurant Group and Ottawa, Canada-based SAM BAT.

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Tire Pros has been named the official tire retailer of Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy for the 2013 season. 

The sponsorship, the first for the retail franchise with a sports team, will allow 19 Tire Pros locations in Southern California to engage with soccer fans and build brand awareness. As part of its partnership with the team, California Tire Pros dealers will offer an “Out of this Galaxy Tire Special” retail package, which includes a standard oil change, tire rotation, alignment check and complete safety inspection.

Tire Pros said it was able to engage in the sponsorship through Continental Tire and its extended partnership with Soccer United Marketing. Continental is the official tire of MLS. 

“Tire Pros is honored to work side-by-side with Continental Tire and to use this opportunity to further build the Tire Pros brand in the Southern California. This sponsorship will enable our locally-owned, independent dealers to imbed themselves locally with one of the best – the LA Galaxy,” said Dan Brown, EVP and Tire Pros president. “We’ve had strong presence in the L.A. market for over 20 years so it seemed like a natural fit to develop a relationship with a sports team that is such an important part of the local community.”  

Throughout the 2013 season, Tire Pros will be featured as the official tire retailer through various platforms including radio broadcasts, in-stadium signage, game promotions and more. In addition, Tire Pros customers will have the opportunity to meet LA Galaxy players at five different L.A.-based Tire Pros stores.