National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) have announced that FRAM Group has renewed its official sponsorship agreement with the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body.

As part of the multi-year contract, bronchi FRAM automotive filters has extended its designation as the Official Filter of NHRA, while sister brand Prestone will continue its status as the Official Antifreeze/Coolant of NHRA.

Both the FRAM and Prestone brands have been major sponsors of NHRA dating back as far as 1985. As NHRA official sponsors, the FRAM and Prestone brands will receive visibility at all NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events.

“The FRAM and Prestone brands have been synonymous with NHRA for more than 25 years,” said Gary Darcy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, NHRA. “We value this long-standing relationship, among the longest in NHRA’s history, and their commitment and dedication to the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.”

As official sponsor, the brands will have a major presence in the ESPN2 telecasts each race weekend via commercial inventory and in-show sponsor features. In addition, the brands will be showcased on site at the events with display space, signage and bannering rights, commercial inventory and features on the trackside jumbotron and inflatables around the event facility. Both FRAM and Prestone will maintain their current level of participation in NHRA’s Contingency Program. FRAM and Prestone intend to activate their NHRA involvement by utilizing the official logo on select products.

James Cito, director of motorsports, FRAM Group, said: “Our relationship with NHRA and the Full Throttle Drag Racing Series continues to be great for our business and our brands. We had a great 2011 with Spencer Massey taking us to the finals, and we’re excited about an even stronger NHRA program in 2012.”

In addition to their involvement with the league, FRAM and Prestone are the primary sponsors on the FRAM/Prestone Top Fuel dragster driven by Spencer Massey

USANA Health Sciences, Inc., a global nutritional supplements company have extended its sponsorship of US Speedskating.

USANA, who first teamed up with the organization in 1999 as its Official Supplier of Nutritional Supplements, is the longest-standing sponsor of the Olympic team.

US Speedskating currently holds 85 Olympic medals, the most of any other U.S. winter Olympic team, and hopes to break into triple-digits during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

“Extending our sponsorship with these elite American athletes was an easy decision for us,” said Dan Macuga, USANA’s chief communications officer. “We are honored to be able to continue assisting them with their health as they prepare to dominate the world stage during the upcoming winter Olympic games.”

“We’re honored to renew our relationship with USANA,” said Mark Greenwald, US Speedskating’s executive director. “Our athletes and staff travel throughout the world for long periods of time, and it is vital that they get the nutrition they need to stay healthy. USANA’s products provide our athletes with the peace of mind they need to stay focused on competing and winning. We truly appreciate all that USANA does, and will continue to do for our athletes and staff. We look forward to our continued partnership.”

“As our longest-standing sponsor, I would like to thank USANA for providing us with world-class products that help give us the edge on our competitors,” said U.S. Long Track World Cup Team athlete Brittany Bowe.

Bowe and the rest of US Speedskating’s Winter World Cup team will compete Saturday, January 21st –Sunday, January 22nd, at the Essent ISU Speedskating World Cup, in Salt Lake City.

English Rugby Union club Northampton Saints have announced that main sponsor Travis Perkins has extended its sponsorship with the club for a further four years until at least 2016.

The deal cements the relationship as the longest between a club and main shirt sponsor in elite sport in the UK.

Travis Perkins became the Saints’ main sponsor in 2002. However the relationship between club, Travis Perkins, its predecessor Travis and Arnold, and the Travis family as a whole stretches back over 90 years.

As club president in the early 1920s, and as a director of Franklin’s Gardens Sports and Pleasure Co Ltd, Ernest Travis was instrumental in establishing the legacy of the Saints’ home ground being the best rugby facility in the country. Then in the 1940s and onwards Travis and Arnold was one of the club’s main advertisers in its match programmes.

And now, as one of the UK’s leading companies in the builders’ merchant and home improvement markets, Travis Perkins – also one of Northampton’s main employers – has wholeheartedly continued its commitment to the Saints, from National League One all the way to the Heineken Cup final.

Saints chief executive Allan Robson welcomed Travis Perkins’ decision to renew their position as main club sponsor.

“The Saints and Travis Perkins have had a relationship for a very long time and the two brands are almost synonymous with each other,” he said. “Having a bond like this is not just good for the Saints and Travis Perkins; it is good for Northampton as a whole.

“We are proud to represent the town on the highest stage of English and European rugby and also to carry the name of a Northampton-based company which is also the leading light nationally in its sector.

“Travis Perkins has supported us through good and bad times and their commitment during the dark days that came with our relegation was instrumental in both ensuring stability and in laying the foundations for the successes that have followed.

“Everyone at Franklin’s Gardens is delighted that Travis Perkins will remain as our main sponsor for the next four years, and we’re looking forward to this affiliation continuing long after 2016.”

Travis Perkins’ deputy chief executive officer John Carter says that the company had no hesitation in signing the new sponsorship deal.

“At Travis Perkins we are delighted to be renewing our position as Northampton Saints’ main club sponsor,” he said. “They have worn our name on the front of their shirts with distinction during the past decade, especially over the past few years when they have been bringing silverware to the people of Northampton.

“Since 2002 we have developed an outstanding relationship at all levels with the Saints that has benefitted both parties and we are looking forward to our winning combination continuing over the next four years.”

Audi the Ingolstadt based automobile manufacturer has renewed its sponsorship deal with the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) up to 2018 resulting in Audi remaining the title sponsor of the FIS Ski World Cup.

Audi has been active in winter sport for almost three decades. The partnership with FIS has already existed for ten years: the Ski World Cup celebrated its premiere in the sign of the four rings in the 2002/2003 season. A perfect combination: with quattro drive, which can display its superiority especially on wintery terrain, winter sport is of great importance for Audi. The presentation of brand and technology in the FIS World Cup made Audi and quattro the number one choice among winter sport athletes. This successful cooperation is now continued within the framework of a long-term agreement over the forthcoming six years.

“Winter sport provides us with a perfect stage,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Board Member for Marketing and Sales of AUDI AG: “Winter, snow and ice – Audi feels very at home in this world. We look forward to exciting competitions and want to inspire even more people for the wide variety of disciplines.” Gian Franco Kasper, President of FIS, emphasizes: “The partnership between Audi and FIS celebrates a major milestone. From the very first day, we have enjoyed a working relationship based on trust and a great spirit of innovation. I’m delighted that we will now continue this cooperation in the same manner.”

The 2011/2012 Audi FIS Ski World Cup season has been running since October and enjoys one of its highlights at the weekend with the races in Kitzbuehel. AUDI AG has also been title sponsor of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup since October 2011.

German 2. Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf has acquired sports betting provider myBet.de, stomach part of the Kiel-based JAXX Group as its new exclusive premium partner

The multi-year contract was signed with Infront Sports & Media, marketing partner of the club, and begins with the continuation of the 2. Bundesliga championship 2012.

myBet.de has been active in the market since 2003 and is one of the leading sports betting companies in Europe today with just over one million internet customers and more than 500 betting shops. In the German market, myBet.de is keen to establish a comprehensive presence in sport. Around the team of Fortuna Düsseldorf – which a week ago won the 2012 Stadtwerke Düsseldorf Winter Cup and also beat off
competition from current German Champion Borussia Dortmund – myBet.de
has found a promising advertising platform.

Mathias Dahms, Spokesman of the Board at JAXX SE, said: “FortunaDüsseldorf is a strong and competitive team – an ambitious club that has a fantastic fan base and suitably ‘good fortune’ as part of its name. It is our ambition to be alongside the team when they get promoted to permanently play in the 1. Bundesliga!”

As a premium partner, myBet.de will benefit from attractive advertising space in camera view – including rotating boards and cam carpets. Furthermore, the company will receive additional promotional opportunities as well as an extensive ticket and hospitality contingent at home matches.

Peter Frymuth, CEO of Fortuna Düsseldorf, commented: “Through the agreement with myBet.de, Infront has won one of the leading companies in the field of sports betting as a partner for our team, one that will stay committed to the club beyond the current season. The significantly increased popularity of our team has contributed to this achievement, allowing us to announce a new premium partner in our sponsorship landscape already at this point in time.”

Ralf Koslowski, Managing Director of Infront Germany, added: “The popularity of the team and the high attention it attracts will help to further increase brand awareness of myBet.de. The fact that the company is getting involved directly on a premium partnerlevel illustrates its strong identification with Fortuna Düsseldorf and will strengthen the link between the brand and the team for the long term.”

Super League has acquired a new sponsor for 2012 in nationwide logistics company Stobart, the Rugby Football League (RFL) have announced.

Stobart, who are the principal shirt sponsors of Super League newcomers Widnes and have naming rights to their Halton Stadium, are taking over from Engage Mutual Assurance, who called a halt to their seven-year sponsorship of the game’s elite competition at the end of last season.

A statement from the governing body said: “The RFL confirms that Stobart Group has today agreed heads of terms to secure title naming rights to Rugby League’s Super League.”

The RFL have not divulged the length of the contract but say details of the new partnership will be unveiled at a news conference next Wednesday.

The new Super League season starts on Friday, February 3, when Widnes host Wakefield and Leeds launch the defence of their title against Hull KR.

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management has become the presenting sponsor of the Senior Bowl giving it access to talk money to future NFL players.

The deal announced Saturday includes exclusive financial seminars for the senior NFL prospects leading up to next Saturday’s game.

Merrill Lynch will also have a logo on the field at Ladd-Peebles Stadium throughout the week.

Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale says “this commitment shows that they truly see the value of the Senior Bowl and the opportunity that exists to educate these future professional athletes through financial seminars.”

The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility.

The UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team have announced that Aegis Sports Testing Services, allergy part of Aegis Sciences Corporation, ampoule located in Nashville, Tennessee, has become a significant corporate sponsor of the U.S.-based pro continental team.

This sponsorship marks the first time that a pro cycling team and a sports drug-testing lab have partnered.

“Aegis is proud to sponsor the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team,” said Dr. David Black, founder, president and CEO of Aegis. “As partners, we have a unique opportunity to spread a message about the benefits of competing drug free and contribute to our nation’s conversation about lifelong wellness for athletes of all ages and abilities.”

In connection with its sponsorship of the Team, Aegis will provide drug testing for Team members above and beyond what is required by race officials and pro cycling’s governing bodies.

Team UnitedHealthcare’s General Manager and Director, Mike Tamayo said: “Competing in professional cycling means training long and training hard – without the aid of drugs or performance-enhancing substances. The additional drug testing our Team will receive from Aegis will help us provide an extra layer of protection for our athletes, ensuring their health and fitness and clean competition.”

For more than 20 years, Aegis has been committed to research, testing and consultation that promote the wellness benefits and integrity of sports free from performance-enhancing substances. The company provides comprehensive drug testing and consultation services to amateur and professional sports organizations worldwide. Aegis Sports Testing Services, the testing arm of Aegis, conducts sophisticated testing procedures for a variety of anabolic steroids, stimulants and other performance-enhancing substances, protecting athletes and their sports at all levels from substance abuse.

“This is an unprecedented partnership that we hope will set a great example for all professional cyclists and teams worldwide,” said Gregory Raifman, Chairman and CEO of Momentum Sports Group, the owner and operator of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. “Together, Aegis Sports Testing Services and the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team seek to enjoy the benefits of clean competition and share those benefits with others in the cycling community and beyond.”

Pro cycling is a fast-growing sport in the United States that reaches more than 70 million fans nationwide with stage races such as the Amgen Tour of California, the Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Colorado.

The Team heads to Argentina to kick off its 2012 campaign at the Tour de San Luis (January 23 – 29), before heading to Spain for the Volta ao Algarve (February 15 – 19), and then to Malaysia’s Tour of Langkawi (February 24 – March 4). The early season racing calendar will see the Team in Europe, South America and Asia before returning stateside for its first U.S. race, the Tampa Twilight Criterium (March 31).

Wellington Phoenix FC has secured a new partnership with national sports betting agency TAB Sport that will help assist the club in enhancing its profile throughout New Zealand.

The partnership will see TAB Sport’s logo featured on the sleeve of the Phoenix’s playing strips and training gear, starting with this Sunday’s home match against Melbourne Heart at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

It will continue the following two Hyundai A-League seasons, with a range of exciting initiatives planned by the club and TAB Sport.

Wellington Phoenix FC Chairman Rob Morrison said the partnership was another strong vote of confidence in the club and would help the Phoenix further strengthen its ambition of growing and developing support for and interest in its brand and football nationwide.

“The club is committed to being a leader in the New Zealand sporting landscape, something that will deliver major benefits for both the club and the game of football in New Zealand in the future.

“We’re delighted to have an organisation of the standing and ability of TAB Sport onboard with the club. Both our organisations are passionate about what we do and about the future of the club and the game in this country.”

Michael Stiassny, Chairman of the New Zealand Racing Board, the organisation that owns and operates TAB Sport, said the Phoenix had captured the imagination of sports fans throughout the country.

“Our customers love their football. The Football World Cup is always one of our biggest events and the Hyundai A-League and the Phoenix, in particular, is building interest at a phenomenal rate. The club has sport’s most passionate fans in the Yellow Fever and a Phoenix home game is an unrivalled entertainment experience. We believe TAB Sport can add even more to that experience.

“But, crucially, we want to be part of the great things that are happening in football nationally and we’re looking forward to working with the club to cement the Phoenix’s status as a truly premium sports brand.”

TAB Sport is already a major supporter of football in New Zealand, with significant annual levies paid to the national governing body based on wagering turnover and profit.

Gaspari Nutrition, remedy a globally distributed sport nutrition company, ask has partnered with the Spartan Race for the 2012 obstacle racing series season.

This is a giant leap forward for the bodybuilding-centric brand, unhealthy who has been diversifying its approach to sports nutrition into combat sports and now endurance racing. Furthermore, world renowned author, trainer, and Team Gaspari member James Villepigue CSCS will be providing weekly workouts for the Spartan Race social community, helping beginner to advanced racers perform their best on race day.

“As Gaspari Nutrition continues to push into new and emerging markets, the Spartan Race seemed well aligned with CEO Rich Gaspari’s hardcore approach to sports nutrition. With thousands of competitors at each event, it’s a great way to connect with potential new customers by offering them quality products to increase their performance,” said Vice President of Marketing, Joe Volgey.

Spartan Race is an international obstacle racing series with three levels of courses: 3 mile sprints, 8 mile Olympic (Supers) and 10 – 12 mile Ultras (Beast) where competitors will run, jump and crawl their way over a dozen or more obstacles throughout the grueling course. Each region experiences courses starting with a Sprint and working up to an Ultra. World Championship Ultra will be held annually in Vermont starting in 2012. Courses are uniquely designed to test your mental and emotional fitness and push you past your limits. The races are muddy, creative, and extreme.

As an extreme sports nutrition brand, Gaspari Nutrition will make an excellent sponsor to help all Spartan Race athletes excel and rise to the occasion. Products like the critically acclaimed, endurance enhancing multivitamin ANAVITE and revolutionary digestive and immune supporting Myofusion Probiotic Series are a perfect match for Spartan Racers. Couple that with the clinically studied, endurance and recovery enhancing Superpump MAX, Spartan Racers are in for a treat since Team Gaspari will be handing out goodie bags at certain events.

Gaspari also has an array of new products targeted toward fitness enthusiasts slated to launch later in 2012 which are sure to set the supplement industry ablaze. They are known for their hard-hitting and unrivaled innovations based on a truly unique perspective of sport nutrition formulation. Watch for records to be set this year in the trenches by those using their products with their training regimen.