German Bundesliga soccer giant Bayern Munich have renewed their association with Adidas, the world’s second largest sporting goods maker, through to 2020, extending its 50-year association with the brand as the club’s team kit supplier.

The new home jersey for the coming season was officially presented for the first time Tuesday at the club’s Allianz Arena stadium with first team stars Philip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger presenting kits emblazoned ‘Bayern Munchen – 2020’.

Herbert Hainer, CEO of the adidas Group and deputy chairman of the supervisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG stated: “adidas and FC Bayern Munich are united by far more than just a partnership of many years as sponsor and supplier. Our partnership is a unique story of success to which we have added another outstanding chapter with the extension of our agreement.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of Bayern Munich, added: “We are delighted that the long-standing partnership between FC Bayern Munich and adidas, which is characterized by mutual trust and respect, will continue for at least another eight years. Together, adidas and FC Bayern will continue to stand for success. For me personally, the new home jersey that we are presenting today is one of the finest FC Bayern has ever had. We are looking forward to playing in it!”

Adidas own 9.4 per cent of Bayern Munich AG, the company which controls the club’s commercial soccer department, and they confirmed in a statement that the club’s new home shirts would go on sale in the week beginning May 13.

Clydesdale Bank has renewed its sponsorship The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) with  the Clydesdale Bank 40 domestic competition, herbal extending its association with English cricket by becoming the new official partner of the ECB’s Cricket Factory Roadshow.

The ECB Cricket Factory Roadshow is designed to give kids between the age of 4 and 18 with a positive and fun experience that will encourage them to take up the sport, treat and provide them all with information relating to where they can go on to play and watch cricket in the future.

Throughout the year the ECB Cricket Factory Roadshow will visit more than 50 high-profile events including major retail centres, Air Shows and County Festivals.

The ECB Cricket Factory Roadshow in partnership with Clydesdale Bank presents a new approach to engaging young people into the sport.

The Roadshow Rig provides a platform to allow young participants to perform a variety of cricket activities and to challenge all the key basic skills: batting, bowling, throwing, catching and cricket related movement.

All the activities can be accessed by all participants and each challenge can be modified to suit each individual’s level of skill and cricket experience.

The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced that leading oil company Shell renew its sponsorship deal prior to the start of the Emir’s Cup, Qatar’s most prestigious and popular soccer tournament.

In other news, retail chain Fifty One East, through electronics brand Sony, will also sponsor the tournaments 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions.

Shell’s agreement is part of a renewed commitment to support Qatar’s national game, returning to the month-long tournament as its platinum sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.

According to the Gulf Times, Shell’s sponsorship of the 2011 Emir’s Cup will include ‘activation events to be held at malls throughout Doha promoting the sport and encouraging youth to participate.’

QFA president, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani stated: “We are always pleased by Shell’s continued support of the Emir’s Cup in their sponsorship and in the promotion of the tournament through their activations. This year the tournament will prove to be one of the most exciting to date, and I sincerely hope that all fans of the national sport will come to the stadiums and support their teams.”

Shell executive vice president, Andy Brown, added: “We are always keen on supporting Qatar’s sporting ambitions, especially when it comes to Qatar’s national sport of football. In line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, our aim is to promote the biggest tournament in the country and contribute to the human development pillar. I look forward to an exciting tournament, and hope that it encourages the Qatari youth to participate in more sports.”

Sheikh Hamad spoke of the deal with Fifty One East, continuing: “We’re very happy to have Sony and Fifty One East on board as it shows their true commitment to support QFA’s football events. We, at QFA, share common underlying value with Fifty One East and the objective to turn the Emir’s Cup into an iconic football tournament that demonstrates the passion of the Qatari population for sports – that’s why we consider Sony and Fifty One East as one of our key partners.”

Titleist/FootJoy, Nike Golf and TaylorMade Golf Company have been named supporting sponsors of the PGA Professional National Championship and the 41 PGA Section Professional Championships conducted nationwide beginning in 2011 and extending through the 2013 PGA Professional National Championship.

Titleist/FootJoy has served as a presenting sponsor of the National and Section Championships since 1997, during a period when the Championship evolved into the “major” for PGA Professionals nationwide.

PGA of America President Allen Wronowski stated: “Titleist/FootJoy’s support has been instrumental in elevating the Section and the National Championships to today’s high level. With the terrific addition of Nike Golf and TaylorMade Golf Company, this unique sponsorship format ensures that our National and Section Championships continue to prosper and present the highest caliber of Championship golf.”

Peter Broome, Vice President Business Partnerships, Acushnet Company, said: “As one of the founding partners of the PGA Professional National Championship, Acushnet Company is pleased to play a role in the evolution of the Championship. The PNC at both the National and Section level is the club professional’s major championship, and the history of the industry-leading Titleist and FootJoy brands is rooted in its support of the club professional and The PGA of America.”

TaylorMade Golf Company returned as a supporting sponsor having previously supported the PGA Professional National Championship as a title sponsor from 1990 to 1992.

David Abeles, executive vice president and general manager of TaylorMade Golf, commented: “Our long-standing relationship with The PGA of America and our team of TaylorMade-adidas Golf Staff Professionals has been a key strategic component of our company’s growth over the past decade. We are extremely excited about our supporting sponsorship of the PGA Professional National Championship and a strengthened commitment to service golf professionals with our products and people at 41 PGA Section Professional Championships as well as the National Championship.”

Mike Francis, U.S. General Manager of Nike Golf, added: “Nike Golf is pleased to further our relationship with The PGA of America through sponsoring the 41 PGA Section Professional Championships and National Championship. We are committed to the success of PGA Professionals and in particular, our Nike Golf Staff Professionals. As leaders in their given PGA Sections and stewards of our Nike Golf brand and products, a large part of our success is due to the feedback we receive from our staff. What better way to show our appreciation for all PGA Professionals than by supporting such an important group of PGA of America Championships.”

3M has renewed its association with the Nascar Sprint Cup series following driver Greg Biffle’s decision to sign a three-year contract extension with Roush Fenway Racing, symptoms  his car’s primary sponsor.

The mining and manufacturing company will continue to feature prominently on Biffle’s number 16 car in every Nascar race until the end of the 2014 season.

Steven Newark, president of Roush Fenway Racing announced he was “extremely pleased with where [the team] ended up from a financial perspective.” The contract is expected to be worth at least US$45m over the course of its tenure.

3M has been a partner of Roush Fenway’s seven-driver team since 2005 and stepped up to become a full-time sponsor of Nascar’s largest team in 2008 and team owner Jack Roush stated: “I am thrilled with the prospect of continuing the relationship we have with 3M and what that, paired with the talent of Greg Biffle, means for the success of the No. 16 team at Roush Fenway Racing.

“This is our seventh year with 3M. We’ve had 117 starts with 3M and five victories. Our endeavours with 3M have been successful both on and off the track and will ideally culminate with a championship season for Greg and 3M in the near future.”

Bob MacDonald, 3M’s senior vice president of sales and marketing, added: “Our relationship with Greg, Jack and the entire Roush Fenway organization has been great for our business. We’re very excited about taking our Nascar programme to the next level over the next three years.”

“3M is a company that a lot of people probably don’t know as much about as they should,” declared Biffle. “It’s a very innovative company. I’m definitely a 3M believer and all the products they make are amazing. I’m excited to represent the company for the next four years and teach people about 3M and, most importantly, winning races on the race track.”

BBVA Compass, the United States subsidiary of the Spanish banking group, has become an official partner of National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise the Dallas Mavericks.

The deal follows the company’s multi-year marketing partnership with the NBA, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the NBA Development League, signed in October 2010, which saw BBVA Compass become the official bank of all three organisations.

Manolo Sanchez, president and chief executive of BBVA Compass, said: “We are very pleased to be partnering with the Dallas Mavericks, an organisation that epitomises innovation, provides its fans with a customer-friendly experience and is committed to improving the local communities around the Metroplex.

“As the Mavs had shown, whether you’re on the basketball court or in the financial arena, teamwork plays a vital role in determining success. Our goal is to recreate that success by providing our customers with a championship calibre banking team that meets all of their financial needs.”

South Korean car manufacturer Kia Motors are the latest company to announce their sponsorship of the 2011 Copa America in Argentina.

Having signed terms with Conmebol, buy the governing body of South American soccer, allergist Kia will become a global gold sponsor – the second-highest tier of sponsorship for the continental competition. The deal was negotiated by Traffic Sports, the commercial agency representing Conmebol.

Kia will obtain pitchside advertising and car displays at the tournament’s eight host stadiums and will also provide transport to the tournament’s organising committee and will be able to air commercials during the television broadcasts of matches.

Oh Tae-Hyun, senior executive vice president of Kia Motors, said: “It is a great honour to be the partner of the world’s oldest and South America’s biggest football championship. We firmly believe that the signing of the agreement with Conmebol will be another milestone for Kia Motors to widen our presence as a worldwide football events partner and to increase our global brand awareness.

“Through our Copa America Argentina 2011 sponsorship, Kia will be able to strengthen its current status as a major sponsor of the world’s premier football events and create momentum for our sponsorship of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.”

Kia have previously sponsored the 2008 Uefa European Championships in Austria and Switzerland and the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Conmebol vice president Eugenio Figueredo added: “We are truly pleased to welcome a trusted partner like Kia Motors and I am confident that our mutual passion for the game will bring delightful moments to football fans across the globe.”

Rugby union Premiership’s London Irish has announced a three-year renewal of its partnership with waste water and sewage systems specialist Pump Technology.

Pump Technology will continue as a kit sponsor of the Reading-based club, with logo placement on the back of the club’s playing shorts in all European competitions until the end of 2013/14 season.

In addition, Pump Technology will provide London Irish’s community coaching team with a brand new vehicle.

Irish’s director of community, Chris Miles said: “We are very grateful to Pump Technology for providing us with this brand new vehicle. It will ensure that our Community coaches can continue their work with clubs and schools across Berkshire and Hampshire, reaching over 15,000 children each year. Keeping our coaches on the road means that our Community programme can continue to grow.”

Pump Technology commercial director, Jon Barker stated: “We have had a great working relationship with London Irish over the last few seasons and look forward to it continuing. The Madejski Stadium and London Irish have offered a fantastic match day experience and we at Pump Technology look forward to many more great occasions over the next three seasons.”

Richard Marsh, London Irish commercial director, added: “We have an excellent relationship with Pump Technology and welcome their continued support for the seasons ahead.”

Following the commence of the 2011 domestic campaign, four of the first-class English cricket counties have unveiled new sponsorship deals.

Local conserve producer Tiptree has agreed a partnership with Essex County Cricket Club (CCC) that will see the West Stand at the team’s Ford County Ground renamed the ‘Tiptree Stand’ for the next three years.

Ian Thurgood managing director of Tiptree stated: “After 400 years, cricket remains essentially all about preparation, commitment and teamwork; factors that are equally important to us at Tiptree; cricket has the ability to inspire and Tiptree welcomes the opportunity to give support to our home county team.”

Surrey CCC have also forged a new three-year partnership, with the Jardine Lloyd Thompson group, who become the official sponsor of the club’s youth cricket programme and County Age Group (CAG) scheme.

Under the terms, the company’s logo will appear on the shirts worn by every child that plays in the CAG scheme while Jardine Lloyd Thompson will also sponsor an award for Surrey’s first-team Friends Life Twenty20 player of the season.

Duncan Howarth, chief executive of UK Employee Benefits Group at Jardine Lloyd Thompson commented: “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Surrey. These are exciting times for the club, with a mixture of youth and experience on the field and a new commercial focus off it.”

Meanwhile, accountancy firm Smith Cooper has renewed its sponsorship of Derbyshire CCC for the 2011/12 season, retaining its 12-metre sign on the balcony of the Gateway Centre Cricket Hall, featuring the Smith Cooper logo, as well as rights to advertise in match day programmes and on the club website, and sponsorship of the Derbyshire Boundary Club’s luncheons.

Stuart Peck, a partner at Smith Cooper, said: “Smith Cooper has supported Derbyshire County Cricket Club for many years now and we are delighted to be able to extend our support this season.”

Finally, another accountancy firm, Probiz, has secured an agreement with Lancashire CCC to become an official partner of the team strengthening the company’s already healthy ties in the sport. The Probiz logo will appear on the hover-cover at Lancashire’s Old Trafford home ground throughout the 2011 season under the terms of the deal.

Feisal Nahaboo, founder of Probiz, stated: “It is a dream come true to wake up and know our brand is endorsed by one of the most famous county clubs in England, based at one of the most iconic names in sport, Old Trafford. We look forward to working with the club and fans in years ahead.”