Monster Energy has been named as a presenting sponsor of the 2013 FIA European Rallycross Championship following a deal with global sports, health fashion and media company, hospital IMG.

In its first agreement with the FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), denture IMG has been appointed promoter of the FIA European Rallycross Championship for a period of at least 10 years commencing in 2013. The long-term ambition is for the series to develop into a World Championship in the coming years. IMG has responsibility for all commercial areas connected to the Championship with its first development being the introduction of Monster Energy as presenting sponsor.

Jamal Benmiloud, Marketing Director, Monster Energy, said: “Being a part of this Championship from the beginning is a great opportunity for us and we look forward to working with IMG to grow this fantastic sport.

“We’re delighted to play our part as presenting sponsor of the FIA European Rallycross Championship. We can’t wait to get involved with rallycross fans next year and look forward to an exciting season.”

Martin Anayi, Managing Director, FIA European Rallycross Championship, said: “It’s fantastic to have a brand like Monster Energy as our partner from the start of a new series. Their youth following, on-site fan interaction and extensive social media capabilities offer a great platform for rallycross to grow.

“Rallycross has the components to be the perfect 21st century motorsport; it’s short, sharp, full of action and has some great personalities. We need to keep those core elements that make rallycross so special but repackage it and present it to an audience that has not yet discovered how great it is.”

Arsenal are set to drop Nike as ther kit suppliers in favour of rivals adidas when the American sports retailers contract ends in 2014, according to reports

In their present contract with Nike, Arsenal earns £13 million a year, but the new deal that they are about to sign with Adidas is said to worth around £25 million a year.

The last time Adidas manufactured Arsenal’s kit was back in 1993-94 season, after which Nike took over. Last season Adidas ended their deal with Liverpool after talks of an extension hit a stumbling block. The German company are also reportedly close to securing a deal with another London side, Fulham.

Behind only Manchester United and Barcelona, Arsenal are the biggest club in Nike’s portfolio, selling in excess of 800,000 shirts every year. 

Red Bull has been announced as the title sponsor of the first U.S. round of the 2013 MotoGP World Championship in April to be staged at the new Circuit of The Americas.

Red Bull has time and time again proven its commitment to the MotoGP championship with support both at the races and in the promotion of events. With the Texas race now under its sponsorship, generic Red Bull has spread its U.S. MotoGP involvement across all three races on North American soil. It will be called Red Bull Grand Prix of Americas.

“We are excited to know that Red Bull, which has distinguished itself as an outstanding corporate supporter and innovative marketing partner for world-class motorsports, will be involved as the entitlement sponsor for the first MotoGP event to take place at Circuit of The Americas,” Circuit President Steve Sexton said. “We look forward to hosting MotoGP and its highly engaged fan base at our new state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue in Central Texas, and we’re confident that Red Bull will help us create and capitalize on an unforgettable guest experience.”

Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta is extremely pleased that Red Bull has come on board for MotoGP’s newest addition to the calendar: “I am very pleased with this new agreement and the fact that since MotoGP has landed on American soil, Red Bull has been a true partner and given Dorna support in a strong, determined and intelligent manner. That Red Bull has decided to support us at the new Grand Prix to be held at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas next season will no doubt result in the race being a great success.”

Huawei New Zealand has agreed a sponsorship deal to be the match partner for New Zealand’s friendly football game with China happening on November 14.

The match is part of celebrations marking 40 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China, according to a statement from Huawei.

It was the first sponsorship deal of its kind that Huawei New Zealand has entered into and although it is only for a single match, a company spokesperson said discussions may be had in the future about a longer partnership.

The Keeneland Association has extended its sponsorship of the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh Racecourse in Ireland for an additional three years.

The world’s leading bloodstock sales company has supported the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, one of Europe’s top juvenile races, since 2010. The six-furlong contest, which was first run in 1902, was won for a record 12th time this year by trainer Aidan O’Brien when Pedro the Great came home in front.

“The Curragh has enjoyed a very positive association with Keeneland and we were delighted to welcome their new President Bill Thomason to the races for the first time this year,” said Paul Hensey, The Curragh’s General Manager.

“The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes has an outstanding record for attracting some of the best two-year-olds in Europe and we look forward to working closely with the team at Keeneland to ensure the top owners and trainers continue to target the race with their top juveniles.”

“Keeneland deeply values its relationship with The Curragh,” said Thomason. “Ireland’s Thoroughbred community has been an important part of Keeneland’s sales program for decades so this partnership is a natural fit. It also is gratifying to partner with such a prestigious international racing venue where racing is showcased at such a high level.”

The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes will take place on Sunday, August 11, 2013.

Great Clips is to become the co-primary sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports and Chase contender Kasey Kahne for the Nov. 4 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.

It marks the first Cup-level sponsorship for the world’s largest salon brand.

“All of us at Great Clips Inc., including our franchisees and 30,000 stylists, are very excited to watch Kasey Kahne pilot the No. 5 Chevy at Texas,” said Terri Miller, vice president of marketing and communications at Great Clips. “Great Clips has been affiliated with Kasey throughout his career, and we could not be more proud to run our first Sprint Cup race with him. It is a privilege to be associated with the Hendrick Motorsports team, as they truly share the values of our company. As we say at Great Clips, ‘It’s Gonna Be Great!'”

Minneapolis-based Great Clips, which has more than 3,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada, has a long history with Kahne. Since 2003, the company has supported his efforts as both a driver and car owner across multiple racing series.

“After working with Great Clips for almost 10 years, it’s awesome to see them step up to Sprint Cup and continue their long-term commitment to the sport,” Kahne said. “They were on the car for my first NASCAR win, and they have been involved with nearly everything that I do, from my sprint car teams to my foundation. It will be a great addition to have them on board with Hendrick Motorsports and the No. 5 team at Texas.”

Kahne, 32, has earned 14 career victories and 26 pole positions in Sprint Cup Series competition. In his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, the Enumclaw, Wash., native secured his third career Chase for the Sprint Cup berth and has recorded two wins, four poles, 10 top-five finishes and 17 top-10s. He currently is fifth in championship points.

Trade Bank has renewed it’s partnership with FIM Snowcross World Championship following a successful first year partnership.

For the 2013 season, apart from organizing the Russian MXGP, Youthstream and Investment Trade Bank will join forces again to expand the FIM Snowcross World Championship not only in Russia, but also in Scandinavia.

The 2013 FIM Snowcross World Championship will be celebrated in three different venues, two in Russia and one in Finland. The well-known track of Tuuri in Finland will be the Snowcross World Championship season opener and after the celebration of the second round of the championship in Semigorje, track which hosted the successful 2012 FIM Snowcross World Championship, a unique race in Moscow, Russia, will mark the end of the 2013 FIM Snowcross World Championship season.

For the first time in the history of the sport, the three events will be broadcasted LIVE in HD and there will also be a one hour highlights program of each round, which will be broadcasted worldwide.

Mr. Giuseppe Luongo, Youthstream’s president, said: “Youthstream is very proud about the developments of the FIM Snowcross World Championship and we would like to take this occasion to thank Mr. Vladimir Gudkov and Investment Trade Bank (ITB) for their passion, support and partnership. Together we will promote the FIM Snowcross World Championship on a high level and bring it to become the most important and mediatized motor sport in the winter. The Live TV in HD, the participation of the top international riders, the world class venues, the support of the best Scandinavian experts for track construction and race management with the partnership and promotion of ITB and YS is a guarantee for great success.”

Mr. Vladimir Gudkov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Investtradebank, added: “In our country the interest in technical sports, as well as bright, fascinating and spectacular sports, is growing again. Russia is a hospitable country with a unique culture and rich history; we have talented sportsmen and wonderful fans. Together with Youthstream we are going to organize the Snowcross World Championship at the highest level and we will also work together to support the young talents and increase the awareness of the motorsports in Russia.”

Target announced today its partnership with Canadian freeskier Rosalind Groenewoud.

The professional freeskier, order known for her amplitude and large variety of tricks, is widely considered to be one of the most influential halfpipe skiers in the world. She joins eight other elite action sports athletes representing Target.

“It is just amazing to be a part of the Target team,” said Groenewoud. “I am really lucky to partner with a brand that is so progressive. I also really admire Target’s commitment to giving, especially their focus on supporting schools. Being that I’m working toward my college degree, I appreciate the brand’s commitment to education.”

In 2012, Groenewoud was named the Association of Freeskiing Professionals (AFP) Women’s Halfpipe World Champion after taking home gold medals at both Winter X Games and X Games Europe. Her score at Winter X Games in Aspen was a 93.66, the highest Women’s Ski Superpipe score in history. Groenewoud also received the AFP Women’s Overall World Champion award in 2010 and 2009.

“What impresses us most about Roz is her thoughtful approach to life as an athlete. She has set lofty goals for herself that reach far beyond the snow, and it’s clear she will be a great representative of Target,” said Devin O’Brien, manager, Lifestyle Marketing, Target. “We’re excited to partner with Roz on her future athletic successes, philanthropic goals and her positive influence on women’s sports.”

The program supports athletes across a number of disciplines, and includes Shaun White, Paul Rodriguez, Kolohe Andino, Ryan Dungey, Kevin Robinson and Carissa Moore. Groenewoud joins notable Target freeskiers, Simon Dumont and Torin Yater-Wallace.