MotoSport.com and Tilube and Foremost Insurance Racing have announced a new partnership which will allow two riders to join the Supercross and Motocross racing series.

Team MotoSport.com Tilube Foremost Insurance will field two riders in the seventeen round 2012 AMA Supercross Championship, medicine which kicks off on January 7th in Anaheim, doctor California at Angel Stadium. In addition, the team plans to participate at select AMA National events throughout the season.

Since its inception in 2009 the Tilube Racing team has focused on building a strong racing program and a solid marketing platform to benefit team sponsors. MotoSport.com has long supported the people who love to ride – and who share a passionate interest in powersports – by providing them with a wide selection of the finest motorsports apparel, parts and accessories.

The MotoSport.com TiLUBE Foremost Insurance team will field two Supercross veteran riders in Chris Blose and Nick Wey.

Team Manager Allan Brown, said. “It’s great that MotoSport.com is getting serious about racing and taking on an even larger role. They were a powerful team in the past and together we are looking to really make an impression at the races.”

MotoSport.com founder Bill Butcher stated about the partnership, added: “We are very excited to be partnering with TiLUBE Foremost Insurance Racing, returning to the Supercross & Motocross series, and the opportunities this will bring to MotoSport for the long term. We are looking forward to debuting a complete new look and launching our latest race-ready MotoSport.com team at the first round of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series in Anaheim. We’ll see you there!”

Professional skier Jay Panther has agreed a sponsorship deal with Liberty University as his title sponsor.

Panther, 27, from Louisville, Ky., is returning to the university after winning 2012 World Cup starts at the U.S. Freestyle Selections Event in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on Dec. 19, 2011, which earned him the right to compete in the Freestyle World Cup moguls event Jan. 19-21 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Panther trained at Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre on the Liberty University campus last fall. The Centre is the only year-round ski slope of its kind in North America. Panther also spoke to more than 8,000 students at one of the university’s weekly Convocations and offered free lessons to students.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Panther will represent Liberty at the World Cup events, as well as in his upcoming tour to churches, schools and businesses. He will provide coaching for Liberty’s ski team and general instruction at the Snowflex Centre.

Lee Beaumont, Liberty’s Director of Auxiliary Services, said: “Jay is one of the top professionals in the sport of skiing and there is a very realistic possibility he will be in the 2014 Olympics representing the U.S.. He holds Christian values in line with LU’s mission, and we believe partnering with him will increase the visibility of both Liberty and Snowflex.”

Running USA, the national industry non-profit organization, has announced that MarathonFoto has re-signed as presenting sponsor of the annual Running USA conference.

Running USA 2012: The Industry Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Houston on January 15-17. This year’s theme for the 9th edition is “Passing the Torch: Running Toward the Future”, and more than 400 attendees are expected in the Bayou City.

“Running USA and MarathonFoto have been together since the inaugural Running USA conference in 2004, and as partners, we have seen this conference grow every year to become the signature get together for the sport, and we welcome the increased support from MarathonFoto as a presenting sponsor of Running USA 2012 and the morning runs and their generous support will help make this year’s conference the best yet. In addition, MarathonFoto is the Official Event Photography Partner of Running USA for the next three years,” said Susan Weeks, Running USA CEO.

“We are pleased to be able to expand our support of Running USA and become a Presenting Sponsor for 2012,” said Bruce Franke, President of MarathonFoto. “Since attending the inaugural Running USA Industry Conference and becoming a sponsor that same year we have been extremely gratified at the growth of the organization and the impact it is having on the running industry in our nation. We look forward to helping Running USA continue its growth and development well into the future.”

RFL side Castleford Tigers has announced an extension of their agreement with tax specialist firm Probiz.

The new deal will see the Probiz logo continue to feature of the front and back of the Tigers’ home and away shirts during the 2012 rugby league season, and also an expansion in the sponsorship partnership.

Probiz founder Feisal Nahaboo has announced a seven-figure company investment into sports with Castleford Tigers and Engligh Premier League side West Bromwich Albion the main beneficiaries.

Nahaboo added, “I am a Cas fan and have publicly admitted this despite my national involvement in rugby league. It would be easier not to say anything but I put my heart before my pocket and all clubs know I’m a Cas fan.

“I believe with continuous investment, strategic direction and with both fan and player support that the club can progress and win honours in time to come”.

Formula One side Williams is looking to secure a new title sponsor after the ending of their partnership with major telecommunications player AT&T.

The news comes as little surprise as rumours of the two companies parting ways had circulated for some time.

Williams endured their worst season in history finishing ninth in the Constructors Championship with only five points.

A team spokesman said, ambulance “We have reached the conclusion of our partnership, the contract expired on Dec 31 by mutual agreement”.

The deal between the British team and the American firm was reportedly worth £4.5 million a season.

William’s loss of their key sponsor mirrors the departure of RBS and Philips at the end of 2010.

A team source informed Reuters that negotiations were already in advanced stages with another telecommunicatons firm for title sponsorship. They also stated that the AT&T deal had not been ‘sustainable’.

Williams have boosted their income over the last twelve months by floating Williams Grand Prix Holdings on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Team Driver Pastor Maldonado also brings in sponsorship revenue though Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA.

The Football Association (FA) has gained a new sponsor to add to its growing portfolio with William Hill, viagra Europe’s leading gaming and sports betting business becoming an Official Supporter to both England and The FA Cup.

A two-and-a-half year deal has been agreed, anesthetist running through to the end of The FA Cup and FIFA World Cup in 2014.

There are three Official Supporter sponsorship packages for both England and The FA Cup, apoplectic and William Hill has now filled the only vacant slot across both properties.

The agreement means William Hill will benefit from a wide range of sponsorship rights, including advertising, hospitality and the coveted ability to use exclusive England and FA Cup content and imagery to support promotional activities.

“We are delighted to have William Hill on board,” says Peter Daire, The FA’s Head of Sponsorship. “They have a strong track record in sports sponsorship and a considerable online and high-street presence that will enable us to strengthen our communication platforms for England and The FA Cup. In return, William Hill will benefit from an association with two of the highest-profile football sponsorship properties in the world.”

Ralph Topping, Chief Executive of William Hill, added: “We have been looking for sponsorship opportunities from which we can reward and engage with our customers for the events they most enjoy. This deal with The FA will help us to achieve our objectives of developing the prominence of our brand and increasing market share in all our business channels.

“Our ‘Official Betting Partner’ status of The FA Cup complements our existing partnership with the Scottish Football Association and our sponsorship of the Scottish Cup with which we are already extremely delighted and it becomes a welcome addition to our quality range of sponsorships within darts, snooker and racing.

“The next two-and-a-half years are an exciting time for UK football and we’re delighted to now be part of all of those events.”

Kristof Fahy, Chief Marketing Officer for William Hill, commented: “This is an excellent deal for both parties and it gives us some very good opportunities to develop our brand across a wide variety of channels. The England and FA Cup branding and imagery will enable williamhill.com to promote its services and products that we can offer to our Casino, Games, Sportsbook, Bingo and Poker customers.”

DHL Express, rx the world’s leading international express shipping provider, unhealthy has announced its national sponsorship of the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, search the nation’s premier high school football game that serves as the launching pad for America’s future college and NFL stars.

The annual game, being played on Saturday, January 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, features the nation’s top 90 high school football players.

Mike Berger, Vice President of Sales for DHL Express U.S, said: “The 2012 U.S. Army All American Bowl is a great venue to display the abilities of young, talented athletes while grooming them for future career success both on and off the field,. DHL also grooms the most talented international specialists worldwide to ’run point’ and deliver for the U.S. military and customers all across the globe, so naturally we saw this sponsorship opportunity as a good fit.”

The 2012 U.S. Army All American East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 1:00 p.m. EST.

The 2011 U.S. Army All-American Bowl drew a crowd of nearly 38,000 to the Alamodome, and was the most-watched sporting event on television over the weekend, excluding the NFL playoffs.

Chang Beer, the popular lager from Thailand, has become the title sponsor of the 2012 season of Friday Night Fights, featuring Muay Thai Kickboxing.

Muay Thai has grown in popularity in the United States, and Chang is leading the charge to reach more athletes and audiences in the U.S. Chang, the official sponsor of Thailand’s most renowned boxing stadium, Lumpinee, is a longtime supporter of Muay Thai. The brand’s longstanding association with the sport makes this title sponsorship a natural next step.

Pat Graney, President of International Beverage USA, said: “We are thrilled to help bring Muay Thai to the attention of Americans and increase awareness of Thai culture across the country. Both Chang Beer and Friday Night Fights Muay Thai have the same mission: to spread Thai pride and enjoyment. There is no better partner for our brand.”

The Friday Night Fight Series began in 1997 at the Church Street Boxing Gym showcasing a variety of fighting styles including Muay Thai Boxing, Amateur Boxing and White Collar Boxing and is the longest running Muay Thai show in the United States. In 2009 the series began to focus more on the sport of Muay Thai, and starting in 2011, Muay Thai was promoted exclusively, rebranding under the name Friday Night Fights Muay Thai. The 2012 season will feature a dozen events beginning in January and will mark the debut of West Coast events, with two slated for Spokane and Seattle, Washington in March.

“A Muay Thai fighter holds a position of honor in Thailand, and Chang’s symbolism of Thai culture makes it the perfect brand for this prestigious title,” says Justin Blair, President of Friday Night Fights. “We are excited to expand our partnership with Chang and are flattered to be the exclusive event series sponsored by Chang in North America. As a leader in the sport, we feel that the recognition by a reputable company based in Thailand is an incredible validation of our ability to deliver authentic Muay Thai to the American public.”

Chang (pronounced chong) was recently named “Asia’s Best Premium Lager” at the 2011 World Beer Awards. It uses deep well water to achieve its balanced flavor which is crisp, smooth and refreshing. The name “Chang” means elephant in Thai, which played a major role in Thailand’s history. The two white elephants on the logo symbolize happiness, harmony and prosperity. 

The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) have announced the Topps Company as the exclusive trading card producer of Team USA for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Through the terms of the agreement, therapy Topps will release its first Team USA offering in the spring of 2012 in preparation for the upcoming London Games. The collection will feature the country’s top Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls, including Allyson Felix (track & field), Missy Franklin (swimming), Lolo Jones (track & field), Tatyana McFadden (Para track & field), Michael Phelps (swimming), Jerome Singleton (Para track & field), Hope Solo (soccer) and Jordyn Wieber (gymnastics).

“It is an honor for the company to commemorate the pinnacle of sports and this country’s best athletes,” said Doug Kruep, Topps GM of sports & entertainment. “We look forward to offering supporters of Team USA athletes a truly unique keepsake and collectible.”

The Team USA collection is highlighted by the inclusion of 100 gold-medal hopeful cards – 40 of which feature authentic athlete-autographed special versions. The release will also celebrate past Team USA medalists, the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and their diverse sports and venues, and will include randomly inserted cards embedded with Olympic pins, patches and replica medals. A portion of each purchase will go directly to supporting the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams.

Peter Zeytoonjian, USOC managing director of consumer products, said: “We are excited to partner with Topps to highlight Team USA athletes ahead of the London Games. Trading cards are a great way to support and learn more about the amazing athletes who will represent Team USA in London next summer and, when the Games end, a great way to remember the athletes and moments that defined the competition.”

Newcastle United have revealed they have found new shirt sponsors just in time to face Manchester United last night.

The club’s current kit sponsor Northern Rock will be replaced with the Virgin Money logo in a two and a half year deal after a late agreement between the team and the company.

This has ended Northern Rock’s eight-year relationship with the St James’ Park outfit.

It comes after Gosforth-based Northern Rock was sold to Richard Branson’s Virgin empire in a £747m ($1.16bn) deal in November – which included 75 branches and 2,100 staff, one million customers, a £14bn($21.9bn) mortgage book and retail deposits worth £16bn ($25bn)

Newcastle United’s latest sponsorship deal is believed to have been secured after Virgin Money’s chief executive visited the region yesterday.

Jayne-Anne Gadhia, Virgin Money’s chief said:

“Now that Virgin Money and Northern Rock are ‘united’ as one business, it gives us great pleasure to continue the shirt sponsorship of Newcastle United Football Club.

“The Northern Rock sponsorship started in 2003 and it is an important link to the North-East which we are pleased to continue.

“Combined with our sponsorship of the Virgin London Marathon and the Edinburgh Festival ‘Fringe on the high street’, the shirt sponsorship of Newcastle United Football Club embeds our involvement in the communities we serve.”

The bank also pledged to give new shirts free of charge to the first 10,000 fans to bring their old ones to the club shop.

Newcastle MD Derek Llambias said: “We’re delighted to secure this new deal with Virgin Money.

“It is an excellent deal for both parties and we’re very happy to have them on board.”

The Rock secured a £10m deal in January last year to sponsor Newcastle United for four years, but the firm enacted a break clause in November to cancel that deal at the end of the current season.