SAP AG and the National Basketball Association (NBA)announced that the league has selected the SAP HANA platform to develop a new statistical experience for its fans on NBA.com.

The HANA-based real-time data platform will enable the league to bring virtually unlimited amounts of official NBA statistical information directly to fans’ fingertips on the league’s official website.

In addition, health the NBA and SAP announced a new multiyear marketing partnership that will make SAP the official business analytics software partner of the NBA. The partnership includes the Women’s National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League and will allow SAP to connect with the passionate fan bases of all three leagues. Along with the U.S, case the partnership extends to several international markets, including Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India and Russia.

“We are constantly researching new and emerging technologies in an effort to provide our fans with new ways to connect with our game,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern, in a statement. “SAP is a leader in providing innovative software solutions and an ideal partner to provide a dynamic and comprehensive statistical offering as fans interact with NBA basketball on a global basis.”

“SAP is honored to partner with the NBA, one of the world’s most respected sports organizations,” said Bill McDermott, co-CEO of SAP, also in a statement. “Through SAP HANA, fans will be able to experience the NBA as never before. This is a slam dunk for SAP, the NBA and the many fans who will now have access to unprecedented insight and analysis.”

SAP HANA is a real-time platform for analytics and applications. While simplifying the IT stack, it provides features such as significant processing speed, the ability to handle big data, predictive capabilities and text mining capabilities, SAP said. SAP HANA is SAP AG’s implementation of in-memory database technology. 

The NBA statistics team will implement SAP HANA to run the league’s enhanced statistical offering on NBA.com, which previously was accessible only to NBA employees and select media members. NBA fans will be able to access large volumes of statistical information and analysis tools on the SAP HANA platform, which will enhance their overall experience.

Furthermore, the NBA has also selected SAP BusinessObjects business intelligence (BI) solutions for advanced analysis with SAP BusinessObjects Explorer software and SAP Data Services software. By utilizing SAP HANA to power official NBA statistics on NBA.com, and SAP BusinessObjects Explorer and SAP Data Services to enhance data quality, the NBA will provide fans with access to a new, easy-to-use statistical platform for their desktop, tablet or mobile device. The project is scheduled to launch during the 2012-13 season.

NBA.com also will utilize market-leading BI software from SAP to provide statistical analysis of the league’s entire history to fans. As the presenting partner of the statistics section of NBA.com, SAP software will give fans a user-friendly interface to access and analyze official league, team and player data in real time. SAP also will help fans searching for key statistics via their mobile devices as the presenting partner of the statistics section of the NBA Game Time mobile application.

Throughout the year SAP solutions will deliver real-time data across the NBA’s entire global operations, encompassing media, special events, mobility, social media, player and team statistics, technology and fan interactions, the company said

Also as part of the marketing partnership, SAP will serve as an associate partner of NBA All-Star, the NBA Draft and the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. Additionally, SAP will be a partner of NBA China Games 2012, which includes two games between the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers in Beijing (October 11) and Shanghai (October 14), and NBA Europe Live 2012 presented by BBVA game in Berlin between the Dallas Mavericks and Alba Berlin (October 6).

Malaysia-based diversified multinational, unhealthy  Sime Darby Berhad have renewed their sponsorship of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia for another three years until 2015.

“We are honoured to be involved with this tournament for the third year running. The Sime Darby LPGA has, cialis without doubt, click set a benchmark in the golf arena both regionally and internationally,” said Datuk Wahab Maskan, the group chief operating officer and managing director of SD Property, on behalf of Sime Darby.

This year’s US$1.9mil tournament will see 72 golfers teeing off at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from Oct 11-14.

South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon will be back to defend her title.

“It is always a privilege to play in the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia and to compete with the best in the women’s game,” she said.

“It will be my third year playing in this tournament and it’s an event I really enjoy as the fans are always so supportive. Having won the title last year, the tournament has a special place in my heart, so I’m really looking forward to getting back on the course again.”

Liverpool FC today announced a new four-year partnership agreement with Chevrolet to become its Official Automotive Partner.

The partnership runs to the end of the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League and European campaigns, and includes visibility for the brand at Anfield, Liverpool’s home ground; editorial opportunities within the club’s print and digital publications and fan sites; and player appearances for commercial opportunities.

Chevrolet is also an official sponsor for the club’s pre-season tour, one of the most popular in the world, which has already seen Liverpool play Toronto FC last Saturday. Liverpool will play Italian giants, AS Roma tomorrow at Fenway Park in Boston and on 28 July they will play English Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore.

Chris Perry, global Chevrolet marketing vice president, said: “Liverpool supporters from around the world are known for their undying love of their side. Our relationship with Liverpool FC extends beyond the traditional boundaries of sponsorship and is about engaging with supporters. Everything we do will be aimed at keeping them at the centre of the game.”

Ian Ayre, managing director of Liverpool Football Club, said: “Much like our club, Chevrolet has a long, rich history with a growing, global brand and this landmark partnership once again demonstrates the value of Liverpool’s international appeal.

“Partnerships with blue chip brands like Chevy will help ensure the long-term growth and success of our club, both on-and-off the pitch. We look forward to working closely with Chevy to help reach and engage our supporters, who are among the most passionate and educated fans in the world.”

This follows Chevrolet announcing a partnership with rivals Manchester United.

Lenovo have announced a multi-year partnership with the NFL at their kickoff event, officially announcing a multi-year relationship naming Lenovo the Official Laptop, Desktop and Workstation Sponsor of the NFL in the United States.

“We are committed to delivering the best game for our fans, and Lenovo will help us in that endeavor.”

“The NFL has been a valued Lenovo customer since 2007, and now we’ll work with the league to integrate our products even more into their operations,” said David Schmoock, senior vice president and president, Lenovo North America. “Today’s announcement coincides with Lenovo’s tremendous growth in the U.S. market the past year, and we’re very excited to team with the NFL to deliver innovation that helps the league do even more with Lenovo technology.”

According to International Data Center (IDC), for the most recently completed quarter Lenovo jumped two spots to number 4 in the U.S. Schmoock noted that the agreement represents Lenovo’s commitment to growing its share and brand presence in the U.S. market.

“Lenovo is excited to align with one of the most powerful brands in the United States,” said Schmoock. “We launched a global brand campaign in 2011 – ‘For Those Who Do’ – and have seen consumer consideration rates increase threefold the past year. The NFL gives us a tremendous new forum to introduce consumers to our products and brand.”

Primary sponsorship benefits for Lenovo include official rights as a full sponsor of the NFL for the next three years, allowing the company use of NFL-owned trademarks in marketing and advertising activities.

The sponsorship will provide many consumer, employee and partner-related opportunities. Some of the planned activities include advertising, promotions in retail outlets, customer events, and case studies showing how the NFL is using Lenovo equipment to meet its technological needs, increase productivity and deliver on its business goals.

“We are excited to welcome Lenovo to the NFL family,” said Keith Turner, NFL’s senior vice president, Sponsorship & Media Sales. “We are committed to delivering the best game for our fans, and Lenovo will help us in that endeavor.”

The first sponsorship activities are set to launch at the 2012 NFL Kickoff event in early September. Lenovo will also engage in sponsor programs with select teams and players and have a presence at the Super Bowl Media Center and NFL Experience during Super Bowl week.

Digigraph.me, bronchi Inc., cough creators of patented fan reward and audience activation solutions, click have extended its partnership with Justin Lofton, driver of No. 6 Eddie Sharp Racing Chevrolet, to ignite his social media fan base during last weekend’s American Ethanol 200 at the Iowa Speedway.

Lofton, who recently announced new sponsor J.D. Heiskell for the race, currently sits in second place for overall points in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).

Last Saturday’s race marked the second time Lofton Racing and Digigraph.me, Inc. partnered to offer Lofton’s fans personalized digital memorabilia and establish a virtual one-on-one connection. Over the weekend, Lofton’s fans were given the opportunity on his Facebook and website to request exclusive event Digigraphs. “This allowed me to thank the people who support me,” Lofton says. “Social media is one of my favorite ways to connect with my fans. Giving them Digigraphs allows me to instantly thank them for their support with a cool personal keepsake.”

Digigraph.me, Inc.’s proprietary technologies generate digitally autographed photos of celebrities, personalized for individual fans and instantly deliver them in virtually all digital channels (including: social media, websites, email). Digigraphs connect sponsors, celebrities and charitable/political organizations to fans/supporters with a unique collectable photo as thanks for their permissioned opt-ins or contributions.

Digigraph.me, Inc. has supported a variety of audience activation campaigns, both at event and online for a diverse mix of clients from Platinum recording artists to apparel brands, sports franchise to non-profit organizations.

NRMA Insurance has agreed a sponsorship deal with A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

The deal will last for three years and will involve the NRMA brand being printed on the team’s shirts and the Parramatta Stadium being renamed to incorporate the name of the insurance company.

Western Sydney Wanderers FC executive chairman, cheap pills Lyall Gorman, no rx said: “NRMA Insurance has such a distinguished history and proud association with Western Sydney. To secure this them as our first Naming Rights and Major Sponsor is a huge coup for this club.”

NRMA Insurance CEO, Andy Cornish said: “We have waited some time for the right local sport partnership so it’s with great pleasure that we announce our role as Major Sponsor of the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers.”

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State Farm Insurance is in the process of dropping its sponsorship of Penn State University’s football program, stomach including its stadium and radio advertisements.

Arlene Lester, click a spokeswoman for the U.S.’s largest automobile insurer, see said the decision was made following the child sex scandal and ensuing coverup involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky and school officials.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association punished the school yesterday by levying a $60 million fine, banning it from postseason play for four years and reducing the number of scholarships it offers football recruits by 20 a year. A school- commissioned investigation led by former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Louis Freeh found that former coach Joe Paterno and other school officials tried to cover up the abuse.

“We think this is the best thing to do right now to show our support for the victims,” Lester said. “We’ve been having this conversation for quite some time. It was not tied to the Freeh report or the NCAA sanctions.”

Lester said State Farm is only canceling its football sponsorships. It will continue its other ads with Penn State, including the men’s basketball team, and will continue to sponsor college football nationally.

Lester said she didn’t know how much the company spent on the football sponsorship.

Penn State’s athletic department earned $55.2 million from royalties, licensing, advertisements and sponsorships for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, according to school documents.

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English Rugby club Saracens have announced that ‘Allianz Park’ will be the name of their new Barnet-based stadium. 

Sarries have signed a four-year sponsorship deal with financial services provider Allianz worth in the region of £8m ($12.5m). 

The agreement gives the German company stadium naming rights and shirt sponsorship, while their funding will help develop Saracens’ former Copthall Stadium. 

The ground is currently being transformed into a 10,000-capacity venue with a synthetic pitch. 

Saracens are hopeful that it will be ready in time for their Aviva Premiership fixture against Exeter Chiefs on February 16, with previous matches being staged at a variety of venues across London.

Chairman Nigel Wray said: “We are delighted to welcome Allianz as a long-term partner not only because they are a company with an outstanding international reputation, but also because they are an organisation which shares our core values and principles.

“Over the past three years, the club has made outstanding progress in terms of team performance on the field, building a strong global profile and securing a home ground. We are now starting to realise our commercial potential. This deal represents a massive step forward for Saracens.”

Clement B. Booth, Member of the Board of Management, Allianz Group added: “Saracens and Allianz are an excellent fit and I am excited about the potential the partnership brings for us both. For example, the club shares Allianz’s strong corporate social responsibility ethos. The work Saracens does with the local community is particularly impressive.”

DoMark International Inc. through its wholly owned subsidiary, MuscleFoot Inc., has announced an endorsement deal with Will Claye, American bronze medalist at the 2011 South Korea World Championships and gold medalist at the 2012 Istanbul IAAF World Indoor Championships.

Commenting on his decision to wear Barefoot Science, Will Claye said: “Having used Barefoot Science during my latest training for the Games, I’ve felt the difference. I’ve never felt as little ‘training pain’ before using these insoles. I’m convinced that anyone – serious athlete, weekend warrior, or just plain active individual – will benefit from this technology. This is great stuff.”

Patrick Johnson, DoMark VP, added: “Domark is very excited to be in a partnership with Will. He is a young superstar in the making, with unlimited upside. This kid is going to be one of the best in his field for years and years to come. One of his coaches said before that Will is the best athlete nobody knows about, but this will not be the case after the Olympics this year.”