The World Number One Women’s Golfer Yani Tseng has agreed a two-year deal with telecommunications company Taiwan Mobile.

The personal endorsement deal, said to be worth $1.5 million across its duration, will see Tseng showcase the logo of Taiwan Mobile on her golfing cap during all competitions.

The company stated, “Tseng will be the world’s first sports star to wear a cap with the word ‘Taiwan’ on it. This will introduce Taiwan to the world”.

Tseng’s endorsement was formally announced today by the Taiwan Mobile chairman Richard Tsai.

He stated, “Tseng is Taiwan’s pride and we feel honoured to be able to cooperate with her and support her to continue pursue career successes on the global golf stage.

“The ‘Taiwan Mobile’ hat will travel around the world. When people see Tseng play outstandingly, they will also see ‘Taiwan,”.

Tseng added, “In the future, wherever I go, Taiwan will be there with me”.

Betfair is to be the new title sponsor of the Prizefighter series.

The deal will come into effect from February, 11th live on Sky Sports 1 with the sold-out Light-Welterweights II show at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton.

The night will see English Welterweight title-holder Adil Anwar, unbeaten Tyrone Nurse and Dale Miles, ex British champion Barry Morrison and major title challengers Young Mutley, Dean Harrison, John Watson and Mark Lloyd all competing for a £32,000 ($51,000) winner’s cheque.

The partnership will involve branding rights across the ring, on the fighters, and ring card girls for the bookmakers.

The relationship between the betting exchange and Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournament will also see a ringside Betfair analyst who will discuss price movements through the night.

In addition, Betfair customers will have access to analysis and interviews through the betting exchange’s official site and social media platforms.

Head of UK Brand Marketing at Betfair, Andy Lulham, stated, “We’re thrilled to enter into partnership with Prizefighter, a format which has breathed new life into boxing. The competition continues to grow in popularity and stature among our customer base”.

Matchroom Sport’s managing director, Eddie Hearn, added, “I’m delighted to welcome the world’s leading betting exchange as title sponsorship of the innovative Prizefighter Series. The event has attracted a new audience for boxing and our growing list of international broadcasters confirms the huge growth of this concept. The event always attracts high volumes of activity within the betting markets and I’m sure punters will get great value with Betfair”.

Emirates wird der langjährigste HSV-Trikotsponsor: Emirates, sale eine der weltweit am schnellsten wachsenden internationalen Fluggesellschaften, allergist wird das Sponsoring des deutschen Fußball-Erstligisten Hamburger Sport-Verein um drei weitere Spielzeiten bis zum Juni 2015 verlängern. Die Airline unterstreicht dadurch ihr Bekenntnis zum deutschen Markt und dem weltweiten Sport. Volker Greiner, Emirates Vice President North & Central Europe, HSV-Vorstandsvorsitzender Carl Jarchow, HSV-Vorstand Marketing/Kommunikation Joachim Hilke sowie Trainer Thorsten Fink gaben die Verlängerung des Sponsoringvertrages im Rahmen einer Pressekonferenz in Hamburg offiziell bekannt. Emirates ist seit der Saison 2006/2007 Hauptsponsor des HSV. Vermittelt wurde die Vertragsverlängerung von SPORTFIVE.

Neben dem HSV-Trikotsponsoring sichert das Sponsoringpaket Emirates die prominente Präsenz des unverkennbaren “Fly Emirates” Schriftzuges in der Imtech Arena, der Heimstätte des HSV, sowie das Branding des Spielertunnels, Werberechte und exklusive Hospitality-Möglichkeiten. Gleichzeitig bleibt Emirates Partner der lokalen Sponsoring-initiative “Der Hamburger Weg”.

Volker Greiner, Emirates Vice President North & Central Europe: “Die Verlängerung der Sponsoringvereinbarung mit dem HSV unterstreicht unser Engagement für Sport-Fans weltweit, vor allem aber für unsere Kunden in Deutschland. Unsere Partnerschaft mit einem so traditionsreichen und beliebten Fußballverein, der eine starke Fan-Gemeinde nicht nur in Deutschland, sondern auch in Europa, Südamerika und in Fernost hat, bringt Emirates nicht nur näher zu den Fußball-Begeisterten in Deutschland, sondern auch in Europa und in der ganzen Welt. Wir wünschen dem HSV-Team für die nächsten Jahre viel Erfolg.”

Die Bekanntgabe erfolgt kurz vor dem HSV-Heimspiel gegen den FC Bayern München am Samstag, den 4. Februar 2012. Bei dieser Begegnung wird Emirates in der Imtech Arena als “HSV Sponsor-of-the-Day” eine Reihe von Aktivitäten bieten. Beim Destination Challenge-Torwandschießen auf der Westplaza können Stadionbesucher zwei Emirates-Flugtickets nach Australien gewinnen. HSV-Fans können sich ebenfalls auf einen Emirates-Wettbewerb freuen, bei dem ein ultimatives Fan-Erlebnis verlost wird: unter anderem ein Treffen mit dem Team und Begleitung einer Trainingseinheit.

Oakley has secured a deal with espnW to become their official optics partner.

Oakley and espnW will launch an innovative new content collaboration focused on serving the female fan and celebrating female athletes. Oakley works directly with hundreds of female athletes worldwide, cure many of who will be competing this summer in the London Games. The activation with espnW will focus on their successes and challenges on and off the field, cough as well as highlight their desire for both fashion and function in eyewear.

Oakley and espnW will team up for quarterly social media partnerships and photo galleries, medical plus content captured at Oakley athlete events. Oakley will provide on-site promotion at a number of sports events, beginning with a photography collaboration featuring recent Winter X Games 2012 highlights from Aspen, Colo.

Oakley will also include an espnW presence as part of the company’s athlete hospitality at the 2012 Summer Games in London and will integrate espnW into their activations at the Ironman World Championship race in Kona, as well as at other global sports events this year.

Additional content collaboration will include Oakley sponsored photo galleries on espnW.com, as well as a four-part web series with Oakley’s star female athletes, including World Cup Alpine Skiing Champion and gold medalist Lindsay Vonn, American track and field athlete Lolo Jones, silver medalist snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler and “Triathlon’s Three Emma’s,” (Snowsill, Moffat, Jackson).

“Oakley’s partnership with espnW is a perfect match for the Oakley brand and our focus in bringing performance and style to the active, sports-minded woman,” said Liesl Holtz, Oakley Global Women’s Sports Marketing Manager. “Through our professional female athletes and event activations we look forward to celebrating the athlete in all of us.”

Added espnW vice president Laura Gentile, “Oakley understands and appreciates the unique needs of the female athlete. By sharing the strength of our respective resources, we can create something unique for female fans and athletes.”

espnW is also supported by founding partners Nike, Gatorade and Proctor & Gamble.

Gatorade have announced a multi-year partnership with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Newton, a Heisman trophy recipient, first overall 2011 draft pick and 2012 Pro Bowler, joins Gatorade’s roster of the world’s most elite athletes who work with Gatorade to educate athletes on the importance of sports nutrition.

“Working with Gatorade fulfills a childhood dream of mine,” said Newton. “I have used Gatorade since I started playing football and Gatorade products have been an important part of my training and competition regimen for as long as I can remember. As I look to improve my game, what I put in my body is extremely important. Gatorade provides me the opportunity to work with the world’s leading scientists who can help me gain a competitive edge and play at my best.”

Sarah Robb O’Hagan, president of North America and global CMO, Gatorade, said: “Gatorade is focused on elevating the importance of proper athletic fueling, so it’s important for us to partner with athletes who believe sports nutrition improves performance. Gatorade has been an essential piece of Cam’s football equipment since an early age which makes this partnership a natural fit. Cam has proven himself as a naturally gifted athlete with a promising NFL career. We look forward to helping him achieve his football goals by providing him with customized testing and research and a fueling plan to help him elevate his game.”

Newton’s Gatorade partnership kicks off by testing with scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI) who will work one-on-one with him to identify ways in which he can improve his on-field performance through proper sports fueling and training. Newton will also be featured in upcoming Gatorade brand campaigns including television, print and digital advertising.

Gatorade has worked with NFL teams since 1969 and has been an official partner of the NFL since 1983. It recently entered a new multi-year partnership securing Gatorade on the sidelines of every NFL game through 2022. While fueling thousands of NFL athletes throughout the years, Gatorade currently works individually with Peyton Manning (1999) and Eli Manning (2005).

Respect Your Universe, Inc. (RYU) has announced that Boston Red Sox Outfielder Darnell McDonald has joined RYU to become the latest professional athlete to represent the quickly growing premium high performance apparel brand.

McDonald, who became a part of the Boston Red Sox organization in 2010, is the third official RYU athlete on the elite professional athlete roster for RYU in addition to Top UFC Welterweight Jon Fitch and 2011 Mr. Olympia Phil Heath.

McDonald will be engaged in an off-field apparel and product endorsement deal with RYU and was selected by RYU for his alignment with RYU’s core values of respect, strength, honor and sustainability, his Warrior Ethic as a professional athlete and ability to share the brand message to athletes in all sports with his weekly incorporation of Mixed Martial Arts in his training routine.

John Wood, RYU President, said: “We are pleased and excited to have Darnell join the RYU family. Through Darnell’s continued pursuit of respect, honor and strength he has been able to achieve the highest levels of professional athletics. Darnell’s incorporation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into his workout regimen allows him to speak to the Mixed Martial Arts inspired athlete and to the value of MMA training in all major athletic sports.”

McDonald began his Major League Baseball (MLB) career in 1997 when he was selected in the first round (26th) of the amateur draft by the Baltimore Orioles and later played for the Minnesota Twins and Cincinnati Reds. In 2008, McDonald was chosen to represent the International League in the Triple-A All-Star Game prior to joining the Boston Red Sox organization in 2010.

With the Boston Red Sox, McDonald became the 9th player in the organization to hit a home run in his first at-bat and only the third person to pinch hit for the Red Sox and have his first hit be a home run. In the same game, McDonald also became the first ever member of the Red Sox to collect a game-ending RBI in his debut with the club. Most recently in 2011, McDonald made the Opening Day roster for the Red Sox and served as a utility outfielder.

“I connected with RYU immediately, their concept of an internal warrior is exactly in-sync with my own personal beliefs of what an athlete should be,” said Darnell McDonald about joining RYU. “I’ve been playing professional baseball for years and often battle with the mental games that it entails. Within each battle, I try to search out the lessons in resilience and sprit and remind myself that the real battle is within me. Each day that my mind, body and spirit grow stronger, so does my inner warrior.”

Made with both performance and style in mind, RYU was created specifically to enhance the athlete’s overall performance and need to excel at their sport. All RYU apparel items and products are made from the highest quality fabrics, comprised of up to 90% organic and/or recycled materials to maximize performance, comfort and style.

Gaspari Nutrition, a globally distributed sport nutrition company, have signed Olympic Judo medalist and Strikeforce title contender “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey as a Team Gaspari ambassador.

The brand continues to diversify its global brand strategy to encompass some of the best functional athletes on the planet who utilize Gaspari products as part of their nutritional plans.

“Ronda represents an elite class of athletes that have had the rare opportunity to compete at the highest levels of competition on the world stage. Rarely is there such a blend of athletic mastery, functional strength, and beauty in one package. Ronda will be a true asset to Team Gaspari and an excellent representative for all hardcore female athletes around the world,” said Vice President of Brand Strategy and Product Development, Daniel Pierce.

Ronda is one of three sisters and her mother Ann also had a decorated Judo career. In August 2008, Rousey competed at the Olympic Games in Beijing. She lost her quarterfinal but won the Bronze medal match. With the victory, Rousey became the first American to win an Olympic medal in women’s judo since its inception as an Olympic sport in 1992.

In the cage, Rousey has won all four of her professional fights with the longest lasting only 49 seconds. Rousey will challenge Miesha “Takedown” Tate for her Strikeforce 135lb title in the main event on March 3, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio during the Arnold Sports Festival. She will make her first appearance for Gaspari Nutrition at the Arnold Expo on Sunday following the fight on Gaspari TV. This will be a live telecast and Ronda certainly isn’t shy in front of the camera.

Look for Ronda to appear on both Gaspari TV and Gaspari’s global advertising campaign representing a new breed of Team Gaspari athletes alongside UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and fellow rising MMA star “All American” Brian Stann. She will be actively blogging at ronda.gasparinutrition.com and making appearances with Team Gaspari around the country. Gaspari Nutrition is known for hard-hitting and clinically validated products and Ronda will now be among the fitness elite that are members of Team Gaspari.

Foremost will maintain their title sponsorship for the Pegram racing team based in the 2012 AMA American Superbike Series for the third year in a row, ailment | .

 

Larry Pegram is a professional road racer who not only champions wins on his bike, pills but also is owner and manager of his own team.

“We are honored to be involved with such a motivated and passionate team,” says Randy Slotten, director of marketing. “Being involved in professional racing is an important aspect to Foremost and we’ve had a successful relationship with the Pegram racing team and Larry. We value our sponsorship and look forward to the 2012 season.”

Slotten says that the team is very professional, competitive and they get results. The Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing team experienced challenges on a new bike last year, but has made many improvements to the bike and learned how to successfully maneuever the bike for the 2012 season.

“After our 2011 season with a brand new bike under our belts, we are feeling excited about the 2012 season,” Pegram says. “Last year was a building year for the team and through preseason testing, the bike has shown big improvements and we are looking forward to getting back to winning.”

The Foremost Insurance Pegram Racing team will take to the track for the AMA American Superbike season opener at Daytona International Speedway March 15-17.

The NHRA’s Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event at Heartland Park Topeka has found a new title sponsor, anabolics Dollar General.

Dollar General, the nation’s largest small-box discount retailer, will become the title rights sponsor of the annual NHRA Summernationals May 18-20 at Heartland Park.

The event had been sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts until it withdrew as sponsor last year.

Dollar General boasts more than 700 stores in and around the state of Kansas and intends to conduct in-market store activation programs for the event. In addition to promotional rights, Dollar General will receive broadcast elements, display space and signage on-site at the event, pre-event customer activities, and corporate hospitality. It represents Dollar General’s first involvement in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing.

“Having Dollar General as title rights sponsor of the Dollar General NHRA Summernationals in Topeka affords NHRA and Heartland Park Topeka with a great opportunity to reach and expose NHRA to a broad audience,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA.

“To partner with a retail outlet like Dollar General is a great way to deliver the NHRA message to a broad audience, and we look forward to activating the sponsorship in the marketplace.”

Liverpool FC has extended its partnership with Thomas Cook Sport as the Club’s Official Travel Partner until 2015.

The new deal will see Thomas Cook Sport reach supporters in new territories, welcoming more fans from overseas to Anfield as Liverpool FC grows its presence across international markets and builds on its heritage as one of the world’s biggest football brands.

Thomas Cook Sport provides travel for supporters, teams and officials, and offers Match Breaks for fans to watch home fixtures at Anfield, which includes accommodation and a guaranteed match ticket. Liverpool fans can also use the exclusive Reds Holiday Club, which guarantees supporter discounts on holidays booked through Thomas Cook.

Ian Ayre, Managing Director, Liverpool FC, said: “Through the existing Partnership with Thomas Cook Sport we have built an excellent relationship and I am delighted that we can announce the extension today.

“We look forward to working with Thomas Cook Sport over the next three seasons to support our mutual goals and ensure more fans can watch the team at home and abroad as we go from strength to strength both on and off the pitch.”

Danny Talbot, Managing Director, Thomas Cook Sport, added: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve extended our partnership with Liverpool Football Club until 2015.  We’ve built a strong relationship with the club and fans over the last four years, and we look forward to expanding our successful partnership over the coming seasons.”