Following Jonny Wilkinson’s international retirement, Jaguar Academy of Sport have snapped up the World Cup winning Fly-half to become one of its ambassadors.

Jonny Wilkinson has been an integral member of the England rugby team for over a decade and is acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest rugby players. The player will be forever remembered as the star who kicked England to Rugby World Cup glory in Australia in 2003, scoring the winning drop goal against Australia in the last minute of extra time.

Jaguar Academy of Sport’s partnership with Wilkinson will hope to inspire the next generation of British sportsmen and women. In particular, his skills and techniques which have made him a world-class rugby player, will be fundamental to the mentoring and education programme, providing the rising stars with the support and knowledge that will help them to progress in their sporting career.

Jonny Wilkinson, said: “I am thrilled to be involved with the Jaguar Academy of Sport. I can’t wait to get stuck into the Mentoring and Education Programme and meet our sporting stars of the future”

A Mentoring and Education Programme provides all the Rising Stars with the non-financial support they need in order to be successful. This support is provided through a selection of workshops and talent days focusing on key areas that will help young athletes move from talented to elite.

Geoff Cousins, Jaguar Global Director, Sponsorships & Brand Partners, commented: “Jonny Wilkinson will be a great Ambassador for the Jaguar Academy of Sport. He demonstrates the level of commitment required to become successful in sport, and this kind of dedication will be a great inspiration for our Rising Stars. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him on board.”

The National Basketball Association (NBA) will be hitting the court this month and they have celebrated with new sponsorship deals this week, starting with three expanded deals with Gatorade, Budweiser and AutoTrader.com.

All have all signed on for multi-year deals, with Gatorade, the league’s longest-running marketing partner, continuing as the Official Sports Drink Partner of the NBA and now its Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner.

Budweiser’s expansion with the NBA keeps it as Official Beer Partner of the NBA, dating back to 1998. The brand, which also has partnerships with 26 NBA teams, is launching fan experiences at Christmas Day games, All-Star Game and NBA Playoffs.

Since Budweiser is a sponsor of NBA telecasts on ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA Digital properties, it will create NBA-themed ads, packaging and point-of-sale materials at retail. In addition to the overall NBA partnership, AutoTrader.com, which has been a sponsor for the past five seasons, will continue as the presenting partner of the NBA Tip-Off show on TNT, as well as its presenting partnership of all pre-game shows on NBA TV, per the company and the NBA.

In addition to on-court branding, and brand exposure on NBA digital properties NBA TV and NBA.com, AutoTrader gets title sponsorship of the NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com on TNT for the entire season. The NBA says AutoTrader.com will also advertise on NBA broadcasts on TNT and NBA TV.

The online auto shopping and research site will also sponsor the “Drive to the Finals presented by AutoTrader.com” fantasy game on NBA.com during the NBA Playoffs.  The game allows fans to select one NBA player they think will perform best in their respective game during the NBA playoffs, and each player can only be picked once. The person who accumulates the most points during the Playoffs will receive $25,000 toward a car listed on AutoTrader.com.

The biggest of the three partnerships in terms of international scope is Gatorade, which started backing the NBA 27 years ago. Gatorade will add activation in Brazil, Italy and the United Kingdom to its programs in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

In the U.S., Gatorade will put NBA players who have signed endorsement deals with the brand, All-Stars Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat in advertising and promotions, per the NBA.

Gatorade will also be an associate partner of the NBA All-Star Jam Session, part of which involves title sponsorship of the Gatorade NBA All-Star Jam Session Invitational, a middle school program that allows teams to compete for a chance to play center court at the NBA All-Star Jam Session. Gatorade will also be an associate partner of NBA All-Star Practice, of the NBA Draft, and of the NBA Summer League.

The PepsiCo sports-beverage division will also host several “Gatorade NBA Training Center” events prior to the start of the NBA season, plus grassroots events and pre-season games in international markets. The company says it will be an associate partner of a Jr. NBA event and of an NBA FIT event in the Philippines, and in Mexico, Gatorade will serve as an associate partner of an NBA 3×3 event and of an NBA pre-season game.

VEGAS.com, the world’s largest city travel website, have announced that it will join forces with the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic as a local sponsor of the 11th annual basketball tournament.

Dan Hippler, vice president of marketing for VEGAS.com, said: “We’re happy to get in the game and be able to support this local tournament that is anticipated to draw numerous fans to Las Vegas. Our site allows visitors to find all their travel and entertainment needs when visiting the city and will be an excellent resource for fans looking for great deals before and after the games.”

Chris Spencer, tournament director of the Las Vegas Invitational and Classic, added: “For the past 11 years, our events have brought nearly 75,000 people to Las Vegas. We look forward to working with VEGAS.com to continue growing that number and providing an easy, seamless method for fans to travel to the city for these tournaments.”

Held at the Orleans Arena on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23, the tournament will feature four games each day with eight college basketball teams vying for the title. Participating teams include West Virginia University, Baylor University, Saint Mary’s College, Missouri State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Kennesaw State University and Tennessee Tech University.

The European Tour have announced that their season-ending Dubai World Championship will remain in Dubai and the Jumeirah Golf Estates for the next three years.

It will also go under a new title the DP World Tour Championship. 

O’Grady said: “We are delighted to be announcing the start of a new phase for The Race to Dubai and, specifically, the newly re-titled DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, at Jumeirah Golf Estates. 

“In DP World and Nakheel we have two incredibly strong partners who are fully dedicated to the future success of The Race to Dubai and the tournament. We thank them for their continued backing of our season’s finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates and we look forward to further strengthening our association with DP World and Nakheel when our leading world-ranked players return to compete in Dubai over the next three years.” 

DP World, the Dubai-based world’s third largest marine terminal operators, will continue to sponsor the championship, and will now be known as the ‘DP World Tour Championship, Dubai’. 

Mohammed Sharaf, CEO of DP World, said: “With the global golfing fraternity’s attention focused on the Jumeirah Golf Estates for four full days, the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and The Race to Dubai are significant events for Dubai, reinforcing its position as an international sport and golfing destination. That is good for the UAE, Dubai; good for Dubai, and good for golf.” 

The next three editions of the tournament will return to Jumeirah Golf Estates, host venue since the inaugural Race to Dubai in 2009. The increased prize fund would mean the winner’s cheque would become $1.33 million instead of the present $1.25m. 

From 2012, the field will once again comprise the leading 60 players who qualify through all officially-sanctioned tournaments on the European Tour’s schedule.

The South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) has obtained a deal with Godfreys, find Australia’s vacuum and cleaning specialist, medicine as the new naming rights sponsor for the league.

SEABL General Manager Mark Chivers stated that the partnership was mutually beneficial and would assist the league in several different ways.

“This partnership has many positive facets. Firstly, therapy | the Godfrey’s name is a strong and well-recognised brand, a company known for their excellence and service across the country,” Chivers said. “A relationship with such a powerful organisation only serves to strengthen our own product.

“Similarly, by partnering with SEABL, Godfreys have shown to be a community conscious business, actively taking a stake in the grassroots growth and development of basketball in Australia.

“Finally, the sponsorship also provides important financial support for the league, so that it can continue to grow, and provide opportunities for players, coaches, and officials to move along the basketball pathway towards elite competition.”

Godfrey’s National Marketing Manager, Mr Todd Avery, said: “This sponsorship is indicative of a wider effort by Godfreys to put something back into the Australian community. We are always on the lookout to find ways of being involved with community-based organisations that provide opportunities for people, and promote healthy and active lifestyles.

“SEABL is the pinnacle organisation for an ever-increasing section of the Australian community – the thousands of Australian basketballers that aspire to compete at the highest possible level. As an organisation, SEABL embodies the entire pathway for everyone involved in the game to move from junior participation at a local level through to an elite, national competition.”

The partnership with Godfreys comes into effect from January 1, 2012 and replaces Crazy John’s who were naming rights sponsors for three years. The transition to Godfreys branding and advertising placement will take place over the next few weeks, so we ask that you bear with us while this transition takes place.

The English Cricket Board have announced that adidas has extended its agreement to be the official team-wear supplier of the England team for a further four years.

The new agreement will run from 2013 to 2017 and will give the sportswear manufacturer the exclusive right to supply match and training wear to all England teams from Test, adiposity one-day and Twenty20 sides through to England Lions, order | England Performance Programme, England women and England disabilities teams.

It is the second major financial deal secured by the ECB commercial team in recent weeks after iSportconnect reported earlier this month of Investec as the new title sponsor for Test match cricket in a 10-year deal.

adidas became England’s official team-wear supplier in 2008 and is one of ECB’s key commercial partners. The partnership gives adidas a range of marketing rights around the England team and the right to design and market official England team-wear.

John Perera, ECB commercial director, said: “Major global brands want to be associated with winners and we are delighted that both our men’s and women’s teams have achieved major successes on the international stage since entering into partnership with adidas.

“Over the last three and half years, the England Test side has reached number one in the ICC’s world Test rankings, the England T20 side has won an ICC global event for the first time and our women’s team were victorious in both the Women’s World Cup and the Women’s World T20 tournament.

“adidas has provided world-class support for all our England teams throughout this period and we look forward to working ever more closely with the company over the next four years to secure even greater exposure for the Team England brand.”

Robin Money, head of sports marketing for adidas UK & Ireland, added: “Since we signed our partnership in 2008, we have worked extremely closely with the ECB and individual players to ensure the England teams have the best technical apparel required to allow them to be at the top of their game.

“It is fantastic to see the hard work and efforts pay off and to celebrate the team’s fantastic achievements. We very much look forward to continuing this relationship over the next four years.”

Ralph Lauren Corporation, medstore an official outfitter of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams for London 2012, has revealed its roster of Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls which will serve as Ralph Lauren brand ambassadors leading up to and throughout the Games.

Building on the success of the company’s involvement in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Ralph Lauren will design the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony parade uniforms for Team USA, as well as a unique collection of village wear apparel and accessories.

David Lauren, Executive Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications, said: “The Olympic Games are the greatest sporting event in the world and we are incredibly honored to partner with this esteemed group of athletes. They embody the true spirit of American sportsmanship and we are proud to have them wear our product as they represent Team USA.”

To celebrate London 2012, Ralph Lauren will partner with a world-class roster of athletes from a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports including: Henry Cejudo, wrestling, Bryan Clay, track & field: decathlon, Jonathan Horton, gymnastics, Jennifer Kessy, beach volleyball, Giuseppe Lanzone, rowing, Ryan Lochte, swimming, Jessica Long, Paralympic swimming, McKayla Maroney, gymnastics, Heather Mitts, soccer, Alexandra Raisman, gymnastics, April Ross, beach volleyball, Matt Scott, Paralympic basketball and Rebecca Soni, swimming.

Verizon Wireless have entered into a long-term agreement to be the official wireless service provider of the Chicago Bears.

The multimillion dollar alliance will include several community outreach initiatives to support charitable causes throughout Illinois in addition to providing Bears fans with new ways to engage with their favorite team.

“Verizon is thrilled to work with the Chicago Bears, viagra a premier organization with an extraordinary tradition of dedication, price determination and excellence — the same qualities we embrace at Verizon Wireless,” said T.J. Fox, president-Illinois/Wisconsin Region-Verizon Wireless.

Chris Hibbs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Chicago Bears, added: “Verizon Wireless is a terrific fit for both the Bears organization and our fans.  Verizon Wireless has already helped equip our front office with more productive wireless service technology and is now assisting us in bringing our fans one of the best mobile apps in sports.  This demonstrates a commitment to the Bears, the Chicagoland community and our fans.  We are proud of our association with Verizon Wireless.”

The alliance between Verizon Wireless and the Bears puts Verizon’s technology to work with the creation of the official Chicago Bears smartphone app, available now on Android and iPhone devices. The new Bears app provides video, a game center, in-depth information on players, stadium information, updates on team activities and merchandise.

“The Chicago Bears app is a great complement to Verizon’s exclusive NFL Mobile app, which provides National Football League fans all they need right on their smartphone – from live streaming games, team alerts and news,” said Fox.

On October 16, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Verizon and the Bears hosted a wireless phone collection drive for the HopeLine from Verizon program, prior to the Minnesota Vikings game. No-longer-used wireless devices were collected to benefit domestic violence survivors in Illinois. In addition, offensive tackle Gabe Carimi taped a special public service message encouraging people to donate phones to HopeLine year-round.

In another community initiative, Verizon has also donated $50,000 to Bears Care, the charitable arm of the Bears, for its “Take the Field” initiative where football fields around the community are refurbished for youth leagues.

As part of the marketing agreement, Verizon Wireless receives considerable visibility inside Soldier Field and in Chicago Bears Network programming throughout the year.

Verizon is in its second season as the official wireless service provider for the National Football League. The NFL partnership provides Verizon national exposure and expanded opportunities with local franchises.

Emirates, remedy the Dubai-based international airline, has extended its sponsorship deal with Soccer team, Olympiacos FC, the most successful Club in the history of Greek football, having won 11 out of the last 12 and a total of 36 Greek Championships.

The agreement is for another two seasons and the renewal will include the ‘Fly Emirates’ signage displayed at the Karaiskaki stadium, the home of Olympiacos, as well as promotional and hospitality rights.

Keith Longstaff, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said: “It is very exciting for Emirates to partner with the most successful football club in Greece. Olympiacos and Emirates are perfect partners with both being regularly recognised for their excellence. Olympiacos in the form of trophies and Emirates with over 400 awards to its name. The commencement of this sponsorship highlights Emirates’ commitment to the Greek market, with rapid growth over the last few years and further ambitious plans for the year ahead. Our global commitment to football is now firmly reflected at the local level here as well.”

Theodore Yiannikos, Head of International Affairs, welcomed all participants on behalf of the club and mentioned: “We are very proud to announce this partnership with Emirates.”

Angelos Zouras, Managing Director of SportsUnited, added: “The frame of the cooperation between the two organisations focuses in four different benefit categories (match-day advertising benefits, outdoor advertising benefits, media advertising benefits and corporate hospitality benefits) aiming to maximize awareness and exposure of both parties. It is within the intentions of the two Partners to develop packages specifically to target the club’s fan base around the world.”

In addition to the support of Olympiacos FC, Emirates is an Official Partner of the FIFA World Cup with close links to FIFA and all its projects in the 2007-2014 period. At the 2006 FIFA World Cup Emirates became the first airline to be an Official Partner of the world’s premier football tournament.

Emirates also sponsors Arsenal football club and has the naming rights of their new home, the Emirates Stadium, in addition to partnerships with Paris Saint Germain Football Club, Hamburger SV and AC Milan. 

Frontier Airlines have inked a deal to extend its sponsorship of the Colorado Rockies for four additional years, asthma from 2012 through 2015.

As part of the agreement, apoplectic Frontier Airlines will remain the Official Airline of the Colorado Rockies and serve as the exclusive airline partner of the Denver-based professional baseball club.

Representatives of Frontier and the Rockies, along with Rockies’ mascot Dinger the Dinosaur, were at Denver International Airport this morning to announce the contract extension and share their excitement with travelers arriving to check in for their flights.

Frontier’s sponsorship of the Rockies includes providing a majority of the team’s corporate and group travel, and filling other travel needs of the baseball club.

Jim Reichart, vice president of Marketing and Sales for Frontier, said: “We’re very pleased to continue our support of the hometown team. We’re proud Rockies’ supporters, which fans will see every time they attend a game – from Frontier advertising throughout Coors Field to the Frontier Flyball Frenzy contest at each game, when a lucky fan has the chance to win a Frontier Airlines Fly Bucks card – or hear one of our ads while listening to a game on the radio.”

Additionally, Frontier will partner with the Rockies to provide a promotional item to give to fans and renewal incentives for season ticket holders, place the Rockies’ Gameday magazines in the airline’s jetways and gates at the Denver airport, and recognize the Rockies on its inflight television system.

Dick Monfort, Rockies owner/chairman and chief executive officer, said: “Frontier Airlines has been and continues to be a truly great partner. Our partnership is like looking in a mirror, with a culture highlighted by dedicated employees who put the customer first and a unique desire to be the best in all that they do.”