Euroleague Basketball have announced a new partnership deal that makes the international sports equipment leader Spalding the global provider of the official ball for both the Turkish Airlines Euroleague and the Eurocup during the next five seasons.

Spalding is the latest in the family of Euroleague Basketball’s global partners, joining Turkish Airlines, Efes Pilsener, Bwin, Mondo and Intersport. 

The largest basketball equipment supplier in the world has been working with Euroleague Basketball this summer to introduce Spalding balls at the upcoming Turkish Airlines Euroleague Qualifying Round. Spalding and Euroleague Basketball will continue the development of the exclusive Euroleague Basketball ball during the Regular Season and the Top 16 with the collaboration of the competition’s top stars to launch the definitive Euroleague Basketball official ball in the Playoffs phase of the 2012-13 Turkish Airlines Euroleague. The new, exclusive Euroleague Basketball official ball is being designed to highlight the sporting values of Euroleague Basketball which are team spirit and dynamism combined with the feeling of being part of Europe´s elite and an innovative and fresh design in order to become a reference in the European market. 

“We are delighted to partner with Euroleague Basketball starting with the 2012-13 season,” said Dan Peterson, President of Spalding International. “We will work closely together to further develop the game of basketball across Europe.” 

“We are very excited about our long term agreement with Spalding to meet the challenge of creating an iconic ball that will be a worldwide breakthrough,” Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball’s President and CEO, said. “Spalding is a great partner and a leader in the sports industry worldwide, with 136 years of experience in supplying equipment to the top sports in the world. Gathering together Spalding, Euroleague Basketball and the top star players of the league in this project is the perfect combination to bring all our fans the best possible ball.”

Myanmar based, International Beverage Trading Company (IBTC), which dominates the spirits market in Myanmar, has secured a deal with European champions Chelsea FC for its flagship brand, Grand Royal Whisky, to become the club’s official whisky.

The tie-up, brokered by Sports Revolution, is important not only for the brands involved but also because it marks the first such advertising partnership between a Myanmar-based company and a prominent Western brand following the country’s liberalisation reforms. 

The deal will allow the beverage maker co-brand its own merchandise with the football club’s logo. IBTC already claims to have 80 per cent of the market in the whisky segment.

“Grand Royal Whisky is a long-standing supporter of local football, and is now able to exploit the popularity of the English Premier League in Asia and increase its own exposure directly to these local markets,” said Stephen Marsh, managing director, Sports Revolution Asia.

Several other Southeast Asian brands have been showing strong interest in the English Premier League recently, as more and more Asians acquire a taste for the sport. Myanmar is no exception. Last month, Jamaican telecommunications company Digicel, which is expanding operations in Myanmar, signed an MOU with the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) for sports development in the country.

Sports Revolution said the IBTC deal supports Chelsea’s strategy of raising its profile within Myanmar and Asia as a whole. Chelsea is set to visit Myanmar during its 2013 pre-season tour.

MCE Insurance has extended its title sponsorship rights for the British Superbike (BSB) Championship over the next five seasons after agreeing terms of a new deal with series organisers MSV.

The insurance broker, which specialises in motorcycle insurance, began its tenure as title sponsor in 2009 and has gone on to become a visible presence in the BSB paddock.

MCE’s new five-year deal also means it will become the longest continuous partnership of its kind in motorcycle racing history.

MCE Insurance Group Chief Executive Julian Edwards, said: “MCE and BSB is a fantastic fit: the UK’s number one motorcycle insurer and the UK’s number one motorsport series, so it was an easy decision to extend our title sponsorship way into the future.” 

“We’ve had an exceptional first four years partnering with MSV, particularly with the superb BSB experiences we’ve been able to provide to MCE customers. We will be unveiling a range of exciting plans for MCE Insurance in the future and theBSB platform is the perfect place to promote these.”

MCE BSB Series Director Stuart Higgs, added: “Extending the title sponsorship to nine consecutive years demonstrates the strength of our relationship with the team at MCE Insurance and the significant exposure and value it delivers to their organisation and customers.”

“It is also another example of the confidence being shown in a championship that boasts stable technical rules for the teams, long term television broadcast contracts, a great mix of circuits and above all a brilliant, growing legion of fans who are experiencing some of the best racing seen anywhere in the world.”

Hannover 96 kann weiterhin auf die leistungsstarke Unterstützung der AOK Niedersachsen zählen. Die Exklusivpartnerschaft mit der Gesundheitskasse wurde bis Juni 2016 verlängert. Im Zuge der Verlängerung hat die AOK Niedersachsen das Engagement als offizieller Gesundheitspartner von Hannover 96 zudem ausgeweitet.

Neben der bereits bestehenden Förderung des 96-Nachwuchsleistungszentrums, ambulance der 96-Fußballschule, viagra order der gesundheitlichen Prävention sowie den zahlreichen Aktionen in allen Teilen Niedersachsens runden nun stärkere Werbemaßnahmen in der Arena das Engagement sinnvoll ab. Der Marktführer unter den Krankenkassen in Niedersachsen wird künftig zusätzlich auf der Video-Eckbande und der Drehbande vor der Westtribüne in der AWD-Arena präsent sein, darüber hinaus ziert das Grün der AOK künftig die Arztkoffer des Teams.

Dr. Jürgen Peter, Vorstandsvorsitzender der AOK Niedersachsen: “Jeder dritte Anhänger der Roten ist bei der Gesundheitskasse versichert. Wir möchten die vertrauensvolle und emotionale Partnerschaft mit Hannover 96 weiterhin nutzen, um das Gesundheitsbewusstsein bei den Fußballfans zu fördern und ihnen die Kernbotschaften einer ausgewogenen Lebensweise näher zu bringen. Denn Gesundheit ist unser kostbarstes Gut.”

96-Präsident Martin Kind freut sich über die Verlängerung: “Es ist ein tolles Signal, dass die AOK bereits nach einem Jahr der Exklusiv-Partnerschaft die Kooperation verlängert und sogar ausweitet. Das dokumentiert einmal mehr die Attraktivität der Marke Hannover 96 als Kommunikationsplattform für Unternehmen. Die AOK bleibt damit ein kompetenter und zuverlässiger Partner mit langjähriger Erfahrung in Sachen Gesundheit.”

Auch Ron Wiegand, Teamleiter vom Vermarkter SPORTFIVE, freut sich über diesen Vertrauensbeweis des starken Partners: “Die Werbeleistungen und das Gesamtpaket der AOK mit sehr vielen individuellen Lösungen haben zum Erfolg des Partners beigetragen. Mit der Ausweitung auf TV-relevante Tools wird die Kooperation im Stadion aber auch im TV noch stärker sichtbar sein und hoffentlich dazu beitragen, dass sich noch mehr 96-Fans für die AOK als Gesundheitskasse entscheiden.”

German automobile manufacturer, doctor Audi will be the new driving force in Australian golf with the company signing on as an Official Partner of Golf Australia.

The partnership will see Audi involved in growing grassroots golf in Australia, in addition to its current activities which includes the highly successful global Audi quattro Cup for amateur golfers, as well as partnerships with tournaments on the European Senior Tour and Ladies European Tour.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Uwe Hagen, commented on the partnership: “Golf is a strong drawcard for our customers. It is a game that offers something for everyone who plays – from fierce competition to complete relaxation. Perhaps most-importantly, golf is a highly-accepted sport in Australia and connects well with Audi’s brand values of sportiness and progressiveness. We offer a range of vehicles that easily suit a golfer’s lifestyle, whether they are highly competitive or simply enjoy golf as part of an active past-time. We are interested in supporting Golf Australia to generate greater participation in this sport at a grassroots level.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was delighted to welcome Audi to Golf Australia’s suite of corporate partners and looked forward to working with the company to showcase their golf partnership in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Audi to the Golf Australia family,” Pitt said.
“Audi has a strong commitment to golf at all levels and we look forward to working with the brand to exemplify the best of what our sport offers.”

Audi’s involvement in Australian sport extends to national and international keelboat racing, as well as motorsport.

Hannover 96 can continue to count on the powerful support of the AOK Niedersachsen after the health insurance company extended its partnership until June 2016. 

As part of the deal AOK Lower Saxony has renewed its commitment as official health partner of Hannover 96 also.

Besides the existing promotion of 96-youth training center, the football school 96, and Health Promotion, there will also be stronger advertising in the arena. The green of AOK will also be graced by the medical bag of the team.  

Dr. Jürgen Peter, CEO of AOK Lower Saxony, said: “One in three of the Red trailer is insured with the health fund. We take this trust and emotional partnership with Hannover 96 to continue to promote health awareness among football fans and introduce them to the core message of a balanced way of life. Because health is our most precious asset.”

Hannover 96 president Martin Kind, added: “It’s a great sign that the AOK renewed after one year of exclusive partnership cooperation and even expanding . This demonstrates again the appeal of the brand Hannover 96 as a communication platform for companies. AOK thus remains a competent and reliable partner with long experience in health matters .” 

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) have announced Bond University as a partner of Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch 2012 after the highly renowned educational institution signed an agreement with ARU. 

The new partnership will see Bond University open their high quality training facilities to the Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams, pills and other teams competing in the 2012 Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch Tournament on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October. 

ARU Deputy CEO, capsule Matt Carroll, buy commented on the deal: “Bond University is a well-respected educational facility on the Gold Coast and in Australia and I want to thank them for choosing to support Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch 2012.

“The partnership is a good fit for both parties, with Bond University hosting a large international student population and Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch being part of the acclaimed international HSBC Sevens World Series, the partnership makes sense.

“The extensive work and focus Bond University has had in recent times on the development of their sporting fields and facilities is also excellent news for the tournament and the teams participating. 

“With Gold Coast set to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games this partnership allows Bond University to build towards being a training location for the Qantas Australian Men’s and Women’s 7s teams and other competing nations. 

“While this is a deal for the 2012 tournament ARU looks forward to working closely with Bond to develop a stronger and broader partnership in the near future.” 

Bond University Vice Chancellor, Professor Tim Brailsford said partnering with ARU was a natural fit as it looked to advance the role sport plays within the University.  

“I am delighted Bond University will be the official education partner of Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch 2012,” said Professor Brailsford. 

“Bond has long been an international university with a strong focus on sport.  

“We are proud of our reputation for sporting excellence and are committed to providing one of the country’s best university sporting experiences – through our culture, outstanding facilities, practical programs and flexible education system. 

“Testament to this commitment is our recent acquisition of the Centre of Excellence; update of our sporting fields; receipt of a $5.75 million Collaborative Research Network (CRN) research grant to advance sports science; and the on-going partnerships we have with the AIS, Queensland Academy of Sport, and Queensland Reds. 

“Partnerships such as the Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch provide an opportunity for our students and academics to work with professional athletes through our health science and sports management programs.

“They are also able to experience an international event and enjoy friendly rivalry as many of our international students reign from the 16 competing nations including Canada and the US.” 

Gold Coast Sevens Fever Pitch will kick-off the HSBC Sevens World Series on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.

South African state-owned telecommunications company, here Telkom has announced it will continue to sponsor the Telkom Knockout trophy, cialis a competition amongst 16 South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams for a further five years.

Although, sale the details of the agreement were not revealed, the deal extends the partnership Telkom had with the competition in 2006.

Telkom is one of four companies associated with the PSL that recommitted its sponsorship deal after it had expired in December. Both Absa and MTN renewed in August while Nedbank, sponsors of Nedbank Cup, is likely to extend its deal with the PSL.

“Telkom is an instantly recognisable brand and a major employer. We are a provider of the network and the technologies that serve as a catalyst for economic growth. We are an inextricable part of South Africa’s fabric. It is therefore fitting that we partner with the country’s’ most popular sport, football,” said Manelisa Mavuso, Telkom Managing Director, Consumer Services & Retail.

PSL Acting CEO, Ronnie Schloss added: “We are excited to announce renewal of what has been a successful partnership between the PSL and Telkom. In the last few years, we have enjoyed a good mutually benefiting relationship with Telkom. By renewing the vows tonight, we are once again vindicated in our belief that the PSL enjoys a special relationship with the corporate world. To Telkom, thank you for being such great partners. We look forward to building many more years of wonderful memories that will bring joy to the football supporters.”

With 16 competing sides to fight for this year’s trophy, the Telkom Knockout contains all Premier Soccer League teams against one-another in a knockout format, with 15 matches to be played before a winner is crowned after the final on 1 December 2012.