Nike officially kicked off the free-agent signing season by unveiling on Tuesday the most recent members of its PGA Tour stable of golfers, Nick Watney and Kyle Stanley.

Stanley, signed a multi-year contract covering all his equipment — clubs, balls, footwear, gloves, apparel, caps, and accessories. He’ll make his Nike debut with the manufacturer’s new VR_S Covert driver.

The 25-year-old from Washington introduced himself to golf fans last year after he rebounded from a 72nd-hole collapse and playoff loss at Torrey Pines to win the Phoenix Open a week later by one stroke. A tour pro since 2011, Stanley was eighth in the league in driving distance last year.

“Kyle is a solid player with incredible talent,” Mark Thaxton, Nike’s global director of sports marketing operations, said in a statement. “He’s a terrific ball striker with incredible confidence. We know Kyle will shine as a Nike Golf athlete and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Nike family.”

A five-time tour winner, Watney, also recently divorced from Titleist, is in for the full treatment as well. It is the first equipment change for the 31-year-old Californian in his 10-year professional career.

“Nick is a tremendous athlete with a passion for sports and the Nike Brand. He is a good, solid, consistent player and one of his main strengths is that he has no weaknesses,” said Thaxton about one of a handful of players who won twice in 2012. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick to the Nike family.”

A fan of the Nike brand since he was a child, Watney is thrilled to continue his career with the number one sports brand in the world. “I am excited to call myself a Nike athlete,” said Watney.  “I am proud to wear the Swoosh because it’s the symbol of excellence across all sports and golf is no exception.”

The newly introduced Hockey India League which is scheduled to make it’s debut in 2013 has inked a multi-year deal with Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, for the title sponsorship of the event.

With this sponsorship, the tournament will be called as “Hero Hockey India League”.

Announcing this here today, Secretary General of Hockey India and Chairman Hockey India League Narinder Batra said: “We are delighted to have Hero MotoCorp as the Title Sponsor of the Hockey India League.

“Hockey India League thanks Hero MotoCorp for coming on board to become our partner for a long and joyful journey.” 

Mr Pawan Munjal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. said:”Hockey holds a special place in our hearts and we are pleased to partner with Hockey India League.”

“I am sure that the initiative taken by Hockey India to start this league will go a long way in developing the game and bring back its old glory.”

The inaugural Hero Hockey India League will be held from January 14 to February 10 involving 120 leading players, showing their finest skills in 34 matches.

Five teams — Delhi Waveriders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Mumbai Magicians and Ranchi Rhinos — will compete in the inaugural season at five venues — Delhi, Jalandhar, Lucknow, Mumbai and Ranchi respectively.

Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has been named a Bronze Sponsor of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2013, the annual men’s international tennis tournament which begins in Doha.

The event attracts thousands of spectators to Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex each year to watch some of the world’s leading tennis players on the men’s circuit vie for the prestigious title in the Qatari capital. 

Qatar Duty Free (QDF), will once again have a presence in the public village with a dedicated pavilion where, for the first time, it will showcase a wide range of items for sale. QDF will also have significant court presence promoting the brand.

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2013 is one of the ATP tennis events on the world tour – and the first competitive tournament of the 2013 season.

“Qatar Duty Free is once again excited to be part of such a prestigious sporting event as we welcome some of the world’s leading players on the men’s circuit for some fine tennis,” said Qatar Airways Duty Free Senior Vice-President Keith Hunter.

“This is always a tournament that brings in the fans from here in Qatar and overseas. At Qatar Duty Free, we look forward to giving fans and our customers a great opportunity to purchase great products at great prices that they would usually only get when shopping at Qatar Duty Free at Doha International Airport.”

The award-winning Duty Free operator has enjoyed consistent double digit growth year on year and is now the second largest Duty Free operator in the Middle East.

Gillette, a Procter & Gamble brand, has extended it’s partnership with National Hockey League star, Alex Ovechkin through 2014.

Ovechkin will continue to serve as a global ambassador for the brand, a role he has held since first partnering with Gillette in 2010.

IMG Senior VP & Managing Dir David Abrutyn, who handles Ovechkin’s marketing, said, “They will really put the full weight of the Gillette marketing muscle behind Alex.” Ovechkin’s previous deal with Gillette required him to be clean-shaven throughout the NHL calendar with the exception of the playoffs, when many NHLers grow playoff beards. The same goes for this contract, Abrutyn said, but it also will allow Ovechkin flexibility during “Movember,” when some players grow mustaches for charity in November. Abrutyn noted that “Movember” could provide an opportunity for Ovechkin to showcase Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide Styler.

Abrutyn said, “There could definitely be some times during the year where we do something that would demonstrate the benefits of using it.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the contract includes TV, print, digital and social media components, which will debut in Russia. Abrutyn said that following their initial exposure, the ads will be integrated further on a global level. Several commercials already have been filmed in Ovechkin’s hometown of Moscow and will debut soon.

Although Ovechkin has played for the KHL Dynamo Moscow during the NHL lockout, Abrutyn said that there was not any hesitance from Gillette to re-sign the Russian star. He said, “There was no worry at all. His popularity in Russia is really increasing.”

Tata Water Plus, India’s first nutrient fortified packaged drinking water, is the Official Hydration Partner for the 18th edition of the Aircel Chennai Open.

This will be the first year of partnership for Tata Water Plus where the brand will be the Official Hydration Partner for the Aircel Chennai Open. The deal kick starts this todau when Tata Water Plus will provide the much-needed hydration for the mega-event, which is scheduled to take place from 31st December 2012 to 6th January 2013. With more than 35000 spectators over the week, 92 players, 200 player support staff, 50 player guests and 2000 accredited officials; Tata Water Plus will fulfil the hydration requirements of a large number of people during the event schedule at SDAT Tennis Stadium.

The 18th edition of Aircel Chennai Open has one of the strongest playing fields ever featuring an impressive line-up of tennis players including the Top 20 players- Tomas Berdych, Janko Tipsarevic, Marin Cilic and crowd’ favourite Stanislas Wawrinka. Both Indian and International participants will compete for the coveted title.

Mr. Arvind Shukla, Vice President and Head, Marketing and Innovations NourishCo Beverages Ltd, said: ”It is a pleasure to associate with the Aircel Chennai Open 2013, India’s only ATP World Tour championship. This will be our first year as the Official Hydration Partner. We believe adequate hydration and quality nutrition are important aspects of athletic endeavours like professional tennis and other sports which require stamina and strength. We can offer just that with Tata Water Plus as it is nutritionally rich and goes beyond quenching thirst to promoting everyday good health. We are looking forward to a great and longstanding association.”

Commenting about the partnership, Mr. Ashu Jindal, COO, IMG Reliance said,” We are pleased that Tata Water Plus has chosen Aircel Chennai Open to represent their brand in its most high profile partnership. We are excited to partner with Tata Water Plus to build a new and innovative model for sponsorships.”

Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s most widely circulated newspaper with a subscription base of about 10 million readers, is the eleventh and latest Official Bid Partner of Tokyo 2020.

Yomiuri Shimbun will collaborate closely with the bid committee to further enhance public support through strategic communication campaigns aimed at reaching a wide and diverse audience throughout Japan.

Tsunekazu Takeda, International Olympic Committee (IOC) member and President of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and Tokyo 2020 said: “I am delighted to welcome Yomiuri Shimbun, one of Japan’s most influential and recognized newspapers, to our Tokyo 2020 family. The company has also been a long-time supporter of JOC as well. The level of corporate support for Tokyo 2020 has been very encouraging and demonstrates the high level of passion our nation has for sport. We work closely with the Official Bid Partners based on our mutual enthusiasm for hosting the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Yomiuri Shimbun will work alongside other Tokyo 2020 Official Bid Partners over the next nine months to support Tokyo’s bid.

Participating companies of the Tokyo 2020 Official Bid Partner Program may use the Tokyo 2020 Official Bid Partner logo in their communication programs.

The IOC is to select the host city of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games during the 125th IOC Session September 7, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Generali Versicherung AG has become the Main Sponsor of the Four Hills tournament ski jumping series, being held from 29 December 2012 in Oberstdorf, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Innsbruck and Bischofshofen.

The new commitment extends the company’s long-term involvement with top skiing events. As a long-standing partner of Infront Sports & Media, the insurance group will be present at 20 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup events this season.

Referring to the brand’s logo, Generali’s Marketing Director Tilman Buchner said: “We are delighted that the Vierschanzentournee will be staged ‘under the wings of the lion’ for the first time. There are only few other sports events Austrian fans follow as passionately, counting on top performances of the domestic elite. This demanding sport stands for dynamism, power and courage and therefore fits very well with the Generali brand values. With the Vierschanzentournee as the most prestigious ski jumping series we are complementing our sports sponsorship involvement, which includes skiing, football and tennis amongst other disciplines.” 

Besides Generali, BAUHAUS, bet-at-home.com and Honda are involved with the Vierschanzentournee as Main Sponsors; engelbert strauss has been secured as Presenting Partner. “All sponsorship packages available have been successfully distributed. This result underpins the continuous popularity of the Vierschanzentournee,” added Michael Witta, Managing Director Infront Austria. “The sporting surprises of the young World Cup season will ensure that once again several million television viewers will follow the ski jumping events at the turn of the year, resulting in a high visibility for the five sponsor brands.”

Discount Tire, America’s largest tire and wheel retailer, has extended it’s partnership with Monster Energy AMA Supercross rider Chad Reed and his TwoTwo Motorsports team.

Reed is making his much anticipated return to AMA Supercross at the first 2013 race on Jan. 5 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Discount Tire and Reed will open the season with an exciting way for race fans to follow the action and win great prizes with its Pick 22 To Win online sweepstakes. The Jan. 5 race is the first chance for fans to win.

Reed, born in Kurri Kurri, Australia, is a repeat Supercross and Motocross champion with multiple wins in the U.S., Europe and Australia. He won the U.S. AMA Supercross Series Championship in 2004 and 2008. In 2009, Reed won the AMA 450 National Outdoor Motocross Championship and that same year he captured the Australian Supercross Series Championship for the fourth time. He has ascended the international ranks of the sport which led to the launch of his own team TwoTwo Motorsports in 2011.

Discount Tire stated: “We’re looking forward to supporting Chad’s return to competition and with the launch of the Pick 22 To Win sweepstakes, we’ll help provide fans extra motivation to follow his season.”

Panini America, erectile | the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles company, symptoms announced today that it has been named the official trading card and sports and entertainment collectibles partner of the Heart of Dallas Bowl presented by PlainsCapital Bank.

The Heart of Dallas Bowl will be played on New Year’s Day 2013, at the historic Cotton Bowl and will feature Purdue (Big Ten) vs. Oklahoma State (Big 12).

The centerpiece of Panini America’s partnership with the Heart of Dallas Bowl will be the inaugural Panini Heart of Dallas Skills Clinic featuring Dallas-area Pop Warner youth football programs. The event will feature coaches and players from Oklahoma State and Purdue as well as a retired NFL legend leading more than 200 local Pop Warner athletes through a fun and energetic series of football drills.

“This special event will provide local Pop Warner football programs the opportunity to be a part of a great event like the Heart of Dallas Bowl,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America Vice President of Marketing. “At the same time, it will serve as an opportunity for the Heart of Dallas to engage its bowl participants in a meaningful way while reinforcing to the community the primary objective and commitment of the Heart of Dallas organization.”

“Heart of Dallas is a way for our city to showcase its sports and entertainment for the benefit of those in need right here in our community,” said Kern Egan, Heart of Dallas Board Member and principal and founder of The Richards Group’s sports and entertainment discipline, Haymaker. “We are excited to have the support of Panini and the Pop Warner athletes involved in the bowl game.”