Four Points by Sheraton and Major League Soccer (MLS) have announced a partnership marking the former’s return as the official hotel brand of the league after after both the organisation’s had first joined hand’s last year.

As part of the wide-ranging partnership, the league’s fans will gain access to special Four Points offers via MLSsoccer.com and, Four Points properties will become MLS central for fans during MLS Cup, MLS’ championship game.

The sponsorship will also deliver exclusive Four Points promotions to fans via video board announcements at special events like the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ, and MLS Cup 2011.

To ramp up the excitement even more, three lucky members of Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) – the most sought-after travel rewards program in the world – will be able to transform SPG points into VIP opportunities at Major League Soccer events as part of the SPG Moments program of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

The Yonex World Badminton Federation (BWF) World Championships have secured Gullivers Sports Travels as its Official Travel Partner.

The sports tour operator will organise accommodation as well as helping players, support staff, media and other key personnel with transport.

Additionally, Gullivers will be providing official supporters packages for the event, being held at Wembley Arena between August 8 and 14, which is an official test event for next year’s London Olympics.

Deals start at £203 ($332) per person, and include the chance for a Wembley Stadium tour and champagne flight on the London Eye.

Kay Johnson, Gullivers Sports Travel’s ibound account manager, said: “Working with Badminton England on such a prestigious event is a very exciting venture and we are looking forward to hosting players and supporters alike from around the world.”

Fiona Young, the commercial director of Badminton England, added: “We are really excited about the appointment of Gullivers Sports Travel and about starting the new era of badminton travel and hospitality.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) team the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have secured the sponsorship of Yokohama Tire for a second consecutive year.

The California-based company has renewed its deal with the 2002 World Series champions as the organisation celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2011.

Under the terms of the deal, case Yokohama will receive signage behind the home plate and in the outfield, in-game announcements over the public address system and on the LED scoreboard at Angel Stadium of Anaheim and multiple advertising spots on the Angels flagship radio station, AM 830 KLAA, throughout the season.

Shawn Denlein, director of consumer products sales for Yokohama, said: “Partnering with the Angels, who play less than ten miles from our US headquarters, will be advantageous for Yokohama in several ways. We’ll receive phenomenal exposure throughout the second-largest market in the country and, as we’ve experienced with our NBA and NFL sponsorships, it will help our dealers increase their sales through our connection with a sports team that has dedicated fans.”

Yokohama also has partnerships with two National Basketball Association (NBA) teams, the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets, and three National Football League (NFL) franchises in the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.

Denlein added: “Sports sponsorships offer incredible brand visibility and are a great platform to promote our line-up of tyres, ranging from the Avid Envigor to the eco-friendly, orange-oil infused dB Super E-spec.”

The Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) have announced four presenting sponsors for their 2010/11 postseason campaign in Indiana University Health, sale ed Kroger, discount Stanley Security Solutions and Xfinity.

The four parties have all been confirmed as partners for the ‘Pacers Playoffs’ promotional drive, which begins with the Pacers Pep Rally at the Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis on Friday 15th April.

Pacers president Jim Morris stated: “To have four very special partners help us in promoting this exciting time is very gratifying to all of us with the Pacers. This corporate support will allow us to open our arms to the community.”

The Indiana Pacers begin their first playoff run in five years with a seven-game series against the Chicago Bulls.

Leading sports and entertainment agency Infront Sports & Media has secured Tissot as Official Timekeeper and Sponsor of the FIM Superbike World Championship – the international road racing series organized and promoted by Infront Motor Sports.

As Official Timekeeper, ampoule Tissot will benefit from a strong presence at all events in the series – involving 13 rounds in 10 countries this year. In addition, Tissot will present the Superpole – the Saturday afternoon qualifying session that establishes the starting position of the riders in the main races.

François Thiébaud, President of Tissot, said of the deal: “The image fit with Superbike – speed and timing, precision and high performance – presents Tissot products in the right context and the growing television audience ensures a worldwide transmission of our messages.

“For more than a decade, Tissot has been the Official Timekeeper of the top class of MotoGP. Now, Tissot is proud to add this other major motorcycling World Championship, World Superbike, to its sponsorship activities, a category which brings motorcycling fans the link between great motorcycling champions and the public.”

Paolo Flammini, CEO of Infront Motor Sports, added: “Tissot is a top international brand with a tradition in sports sponsorship. With the long-term commitment to the FIM Superbike World Championship it acknowledges the series‘ professional development and growing popularity in the past as well as its potential for future growth.

“Time measurement is the essence of a racing competition and as Official Timekeeper, Tissot will strongly benefit from this focus. The global media coverage of the FIM Superbike World Championship will further multiply this effect and sustainably strengthen the association between brand and competition.“

Car manufacturer Saab have become the title sponsors of this year’s European Tour event, the Wales Open, to be held at the Celtic Manor resort which staged last year’s Ryder Cup.

Defending champion and US Open winner Graeme McDowell will  be teeing off with the likes of Miguel Angel Jiménez, Paul McGinley, Ian Poulter and John Daly, all of them among a field of 156 golfers playing for a total prize fund of US$2.94m.

The tournament will form part of Saab Golf Week, encompassing the launch of the new Powerplay Golf format at Celtic Manor on 30th May.

David Pugh, the marketing director of Saab Great Britain, said: “We are very excited to sign up as the title sponsor for the Saab Wales Open at a wonderful venue like The Celtic Manor Resort. We have watched the tournament develop into one of the biggest and most established golf events in Europe and we are delighted to help take it to the next level as the Saab Wales Open. We feel that the innovative sponsorship approach in creating Saab Golf Week, encompassing the exciting launch of PowerPlay Golf’s professional series and the Saab Wales Open, is highly reflective of our brand.”

European Tour chief executive George O’Grady said he was “delighted” by Saab’s involvement, adding: “We look forward to the Saab Wales Open continuing to flourish at The Celtic Manor Resort and on the celebrated Twenty Ten Course where Graeme McDowell’s putt at the 16th more or less set the seal on Europe’s Ryder Cup victory last October. Graeme’s return to Celtic Manor will be eagerly anticipated as he seeks to defend two titles in two weeks when he travels from Wales on to the US Open.”

French Top 14 Orange rugby union club Biarritz Olympique have signed a kit apparel deal with Burrda Sport to become the sides official kit supplier for the next five years.

The deal is a first in France for Burrda, treatment although they have connections in rugby union as sponsors of British rugby clubs Northampton Saints and Llanelli Scarlets.

Burrda will provide Olympique Biarritz with matchday jerseys and training wear, sick as well as official replica merchandise for supporters.

Biarritz Olympique president Serge Blanco said: “We have been successfully in the European competitions for 11 years now and our ambition is increasing. Burrda Sport is a partner with a modern vision which will take us further.”

The general manager of Burrda Sport, Charles Diab, added: “We are a young brand and we have the same ambition as the club: bringing together dream and actions.”

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has secured the renewed sponsorship of Australian apparel company Skins for this year’s World Championship Series.

Skins will continue as the exclusive, worldwide official compression performance gear partner of the series for the third consecutive year under the terms of the new extended agreement.

Skins chief executive, Jaime Fuller stated: “Skins are dedicated to helping sportsmen and women achieve their natural best through innovative design. Triathlon is one of the toughest events, so what better sport to demonstrate the difference Skins can make to improving strength endurance and recovery. As a global brand, we are excited about extending our commitment to the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series for the third year running.”

Paul Coleman, ITU World Championship Series managing director, added: “Every year the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series grows in size and stature. The ITU is delighted that Skins is continuing its support as the worldwide official compression performance gear partner. It’s fantastic to work with a sportswear brand with a range of products that are integral to the lives of professional and amateur athletes.”

Sharp has confirmed that it will continue as the official electronics partner of the Tour of Britain in 2011, fulfilling the same role in The Halfords Tour Series, of which the Tour of Britain is a part.

In addition, the electronics company will be the official broadcast sponsor of the Tour on British channel ITV’s coverage of the event.

Paul Hide, managing director of Sharp, said of the extended deal: “The last 18 months have seen us establish our position in UK pro-cycling, and we are now looking to build on that.

“As the premier UK pro event, The Tour of Britain is the perfect platform for us, and we’ll be looking to bring our technological expertise to the race this year, providing insights that can deepen the fans’ enjoyment and engagement.”

SweetSpot Group, the British-based sports marketing firm that organises the Tour, brokered the deal and the agency’s commercial manager Alistair Grant stated: “We have enjoyed working with Sharp over the past two editions of The Tour of Britain and utilising their award winning products on the event.

“We can now look forward to continuing this relationship in 2011 and working together to enable fans to get close to the action with Sharp.  The extended partnership is also a clear sign of the growing success of The Tour of Britain and how we have developed the television coverage since the revival of the race in 2004.”

The 2011 Indian Premier League’s (IPL) least valuable club, the Rajasthan Royals have announced two timely new partnerships for the fourth season of the highly lucrative Twenty20 tournament.

A one-year-deal has been agreed with Marriott India Hotels and Resorts to become the principal hospitality sponsor of the Royals, under the terms of which will see the company’s logo feature on the sleeve of the team’s playing shirt, with Mariott able to utilise the team’s logo throughout its promotional activities and showcase its services in VIP blocks within Rajasthan’s home stadium.

Rajeev Menon, Marriott’s area vice president for India, Malaysia, Maldives and Australia, said: “Rajasthan Royals is one of the favourite teams in the tournament given their past performances and we are delighted to be associated with a team that has tremendous potential. Marriott’s association drives huge benefit as our hotels are ideally suited for the players and their fanbase as they tour the country in their endeavour to win the IPL championship.”

In other news, the franchise have also secured a deal with the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ) who have been named as the Rajasthan Royals official banking partner for the 2011 IPL season. The deal will see SBBJ undertake all financial transactions for the franchise and in turn, players belonging to the Royals will appear at SBBJ functions and in advertising to help promote the bank.

SBBJ managing director Shiva Kumar stated: “SBBJ and Rajasthan Royals are natural partners, both emerging from Rajasthan.”