MLS’ Kansas Award Lance Armstrong Charity Free Stadium Naming Rights

Sporting Kansas City, a Major League Soccer (MLS) club, have signed a non-profit naming rights agreement with Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong foundation.

Formerly Kansas City Wizards, have signed a deal which will see their new US$200m stadium named the Sporting Livestrong Park for the next six years, a charity founded by the seven-time Tour de France champion.

Over the course of the partnership the club aim to raise US$7.5 million for Livestrong to assist in fight against cancer, rasing funds through tickets, concessions and revenue from soccer matches.

Sporting KC’s chief executive Rob Heineman said: “We’re proud of Kansas City’s history as a philanthropic leader and we believe that this innovative partnership continues that legacy. Livestrong Sporting Park provides each of us with the opportunity to stay involved in the cause and celebrate many of those things worth fighting for, the support of community, the thrill of victory and events that bring us all together.”

Livestrong founder Lance Armstrong, who has recently retired from professional cycling, said: “Livestrong is honoured to bring its mission to Kansas City through Livestrong Sporting Park. Professional sports provide a powerful vehicle to affect positive change in the world. This partnership with Sporting Club gives us an innovative opportunity to advance the cancer fight in this region and we are eager to get started.”

Livestrong president and chief executive Doug Ulman added: “Sports are a unifying force in bringing people together. Livestrong Sporting Park is more than just a stadium it’s the first athletic venue in the world with a social change mission and offers an ideal arena to champion the cancer cause.”

The deal is a first in US sports, with no other American stadium being named after a charity. The Livestrong Sporting Park is scheduled to open on 9th June.

The agreement reached between Sporting KC and Livestrong echoes Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona’s partnership with global charity Unicef in 2006, which saw Barcelona pay the charity to have its logo on the front of the team’s kit.

Red Bull Announce Platform Computing Expansion Agreement

Red Bull Racing is delighted
to announce that Platform Computing has expanded its partnership with the team for the
2011 season.
Red Bull Racing and Platform Computing have a history of successfully working together to
implement solutions which have greatly benefited Red Bull Racing’s computation fluid
dynamics (CFD) and design groups. As part of the new agreement, Red Bull Racing will be
using additional Platform Computing products, including Platform LSF, Platform Process
Manager and Platform ISF, which help streamline and automate Red Bull Racing’s complex
analyses. The Platform Computing brand will also be visible on the side of the RB7 for the
2011 season.
Specialising in software solutions for High Performance Computing (HPC) environments,
Platform’s software is designed to increase productivity without the need for additional
investment in hardware and infrastructure. As such, it will be instrumental in helping Red Bull
Racing to race at the front of Formula One.
Team Principal Christian Horner said: “The announcement that Platform Computing will
continue as a Red Bull Racing Innovation Partner in 2011 is good news for the whole team.
Formula One is at the forefront of technology and keeping pace with your rivals in the face of
rapid and constant development is key to a successful season. Platform Computing’s
association with Red Bull Racing has been an integral part of our development and we’re
delighted they will partner us again this year.”
Christoph Reichert, Vice President HPC EMEA, Platform Computing said: “Red Bull consistently
pushes the envelope when it comes to how its Formula One team approaches racing and
winning on the Grand Prix circuit, as well as with how the team uses technology to develop
state-of-the-art race cars. We’re excited to be extending our longstanding partnership with Red
Bull Racing both on the sponsorship side and through Red Bull Racing’s continued adoption of
Platform Computing’s products to support their computing infrastructure and process design
simulations in a faster, more efficient manner. We look forward to our continued relationship
as Red Bull Racing looks to adopt new technologies that push their designs and race cars
even further toward the finish line.”
Formula One’s Red Bull Racing has announced its second extension of an agreement in as many days after renewing with FXDD, revealing that Platform Computing has expanded its partnership with the team for the 2011 season.

Red Bull Racing and Platform Computing will continue to work together to implement solutions which benefit Red Bull Racing’s computation fluid dynamics (CFD) and design groups.
As part of the new agreement, Red Bull Racing will be using additional Platform Computing products, including Platform LSF, Platform Process Manager and Platform ISF, which help streamline and automate Red Bull Racing’s complex analyses.
The Platform Computing brand will also be visible on the side of the RB7 for the 2011 season.

Specialising in software solutions for High Performance Computing (HPC) environments, Platform’s software is designed to increase productivity without the need for additional investment in hardware and infrastructure.

Team Principal Christian Horner stated: “The announcement that Platform Computing will continue as a Red Bull Racing Innovation Partner in 2011 is good news for the whole team. Formula One is at the forefront of technology and keeping pace with your rivals in the face of rapid and constant development is key to a successful season. Platform Computing’s association with Red Bull Racing has been an integral part of our development and we’re delighted they will partner us again this year.”

Christoph Reichert, Vice President HPC EMEA, Platform Computing added: “Red Bull consistently pushes the envelope when it comes to how its Formula One team approaches racing and winning on the Grand Prix circuit, as well as with how the team uses technology to develop state-of-the-art race cars. We’re excited to be extending our longstanding partnership with Red Bull Racing both on the sponsorship side and through Red Bull Racing’s continued adoption of Platform Computing’s products to support their computing infrastructure and process design simulations in a faster, more efficient manner. We look forward to our continued relationship as Red Bull Racing looks to adopt new technologies that push their designs and race cars even further toward the finish line.”

Sochi 2014 Announce Kommersant Sponsorship

It has been announced today, March 10, that Kommersant Publishing House, owned by billionarie Alisher Usmanov, a shareholder in both Facebook and Premier League soccer club Arsenal, has become the Sochi 2014 official supplier in the printed media category.

The flagship of the House is its newspaper Kommersant, one of Russia’s leading business publications.

Kommersant is the second company that Usmanov, 57, owns that has committed to Winter Games in Sochi 2014.

He is also the co-owner of MegaFon, Russia’s second-largest mobile telephone operator, who were the first company to become a Tier One sponsor of the Games three years ago.

Usmanov, the world’s 100th richest man with a fortune estimated at Forbes at US$19.9bn and who is also the President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), brought the newspaper in 2006.

Red Bull Racing Renew FXDD Sponsor for 2011

Red Bull Racing is delighted to announce that FXDD, an on-line leader in foreign exchange, has
renewed its commitment to the team and will remain a Team Partner for 2011. Under this new
agreement, which comes as the team continues to bolster its portfolio of partners, FXDD will be
known as the ‘Official Foreign Currency and Precious Metals Partner of Red Bull Racing’.
FXDD chose to join Red Bull Racing last year to reach Formula One’s significant global audience
and raise awareness of its growing global brand. The continuing partnership is testimony to the
success of that goal. In addition to being visible on the nose of the RB7, the company’s logo will
appear on the driver overalls, worn by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, as well as on general
team wear and across Red Bull Racing’s other partner branding areas.
Team Principal Christian Horner said: “The worlds of finance and Formula One are well matched.
Both involve risk and reward and the prizes are hard won in both. It’s gratifying for all of us at
Red Bull Racing to once again have FXDD on board as a Team Partner; we hope that we continue
to trade on our good relationship and establish an even more profitable partnership this season.”
Formula One’s Red Bull Racing has announce that FXDD, an on-line leader in foreign exchange, has renewed its commitment to the team and will remain a Team Partner for 2011.

Under the new agreement, which comes as the team continues to bolster its portfolio of partners, FXDD will be known as the ‘Official Foreign Currency and Precious Metals Partner of Red Bull Racing’.

FXDD chose to join Red Bull Racing last year to reach Formula One’s significant global audience and raise awareness of its growing global brand. The continuing partnership is testimony to the success of that goal.

In addition to being visible on the nose of the RB7, the company’s logo will appear on the driver overalls, worn by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, as well as on general team wear and across Red Bull Racing’s other partner branding areas.

Team Principal Christian Horner said: “The worlds of finance and Formula One are well matched. Both involve risk and reward and the prizes are hard won in both. It’s gratifying for all of us at Red Bull Racing to once again have FXDD on board as a Team Partner; we hope that we continue to trade on our good relationship and establish an even more profitable partnership this season.”

Under Armour Sign 5-Year Tottenham Sponsorship from ’12

After announcing annual sales exceeding US$1bn last year, Under Armour have signed an official apparel sponsorship with English Premier League soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, the U.S. sportswear maker’s first foray with a team in soccer’s richest league.

The Baltimore-based company have announced that it will take over from the team’s current supplier, Puma AG, at the start of the 2012-13 season after Europe’s second-largest sporting-goods maker, signed a contract extension last year.

Terms of the five-year deal weren’t disclosed but Puma’s initial five-year contract was believed to be worth US$8m per season, so a figure in excess of that amount is highly likely due to the London club’s recent successes.

Tottenham qualified for the Champions League for the first time after finishing fourth in England’s top division last season and will play Italian Serie A leaders AC Milan in the second match of their round-of-16 encounter tomorrow after a 1-0 win in Italy last month.

Under Armour has been increasing its agreements with sports teams and athletes in recent years as it seeks to expand outside the U.S.

As well as having deals with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and skier Lindsey Vonn to market its cotton performance T-shirts, it provides apparel for the Wales rugby union team.

Under Armour already hold kit sponsorship deals with numerous soccer clubs including German Bundesliga side Hannover 96, Greek Superleague team Aris Thessaloniki, Japanese J-League outfit Omiya Ardija plus Deportivo Toluca and Estudiantes Tecos from Mexico’s Primera Division.

Dortmund to Receive USD5.5m Bonus on Bundesliga Title

Evonik Industries, major sponsors of German Bundesliga soccer side Borussia Dortmund, remain unperturbed at the prospect of having agreed to pay a bonus of around US$5.5m to the club if they win the league title.

Dortmund have surpassed expectations in Germany’s elite league this year with a young and exciting squad having drove in to first position, a position they have held for much of the season. Having extablished a 12 point lead at the top of the table, and a full 19 point lead over German soccer giant Bayern Munich, the side look all but certain to claim the title, and a $5.5m bonus from the shirt sponsor in return.

While it is already paying $10.4m a year to appear on the shirts of the clubthe group, specializing in chemistry and energy, will provide the bonus for the Bundesliga title at the end of the season.

UBS Confirmed as Title Sponsor of Chinese Grand Prix

Swiss financial services company UBS has been confirmed as the title sponsor of Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix as part of a deal signed last August.

Despite declining to reveal the value of the deal, erectile UBS has agreed a naming rights sponsor of the circuit after Sinopec cut their ties with the Grand Prix in 2009. The previous deal saw Sinopec agree to pay an annual sum of US$20m to be title sponsors of the race.

The new agreement is believed to have been signed for the next seven years until the current contract for hosting of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit expires.

Last month, Formula One Management agreed to extend the race’s place on the Formula One calendar to 2017 in a new five-year deal.

David Li, head of UBS China, confirmed the deal along with Formula One authorities.

Hero Honda Closing in on IPL’s Mumbai Indians Sponsor

Hero Honda, the Indian two-wheeler giant, has reportedly signed on as the lead sponsor of the Nita Ambani owned Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise the Mumbai Indians, replacing consumer electronics major Videocon.

The deal which will last for three-years, involves sponsorship money of around US$15.5m, The Economic Times quotes an executive with a media buying firm as having said. Videocon had signed a three-year deal with Mumbai Indians for an estimated figure of just over half that amount last year.

However, a source close to the developments told SportzPower that nothing has been “finalised” as yet since the talks were still on.

Hero Honda was the lead sponsor of Delhi Daredevils for the past three years and had decided against continuing its association with them, which prompted the Daredevils to sign up Muthoot Group as their lead sponsor.

Kohler Agree 4-Year World Golf Champs. Sponsor Extension

On behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours, doctor the Kohler Company and PGA TOUR announced yesterday, March 7, that a four-year extension of Kohler’s sponsorship of the World Golf Championships had been agreed.

Kohler Co. first became a sponsor ten years ago and will continue to have a hospitality presence at the three World Golf Championships events currently held in the United States: the Accenture Match Play Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ (Feb. 23-27); the Cadillac Championship, at TPC Blue Monster at Doral in Doral, FL (March 10-13); and the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, OH (Aug. 4-7).

PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem stated: “We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with the Kohler Company through its sponsorship of the World Golf Championships. Kohler has made a major commitment to golf, and we’re delighted that the company continues to align its high-quality brand with these global events.”

In 2010, Kohler’s Old Course Hotel was the host hotel of the British Open in St. Andrews Scotland, and its American Club was the host hotel of the PGA Championship in Kohler, Wisconsin.

The World Golf Championships utilize Kohler Power Systems to power its events as well as Kohler luxury restrooms.

Kohler and Rolex are the two Official Sponsors of the World Golf Championships. Accenture, Bridgestone, Cadillac and HSBC are the Umbrella Sponsors of the series.

Nature Valley Named Title Sponsor of PGA Pebble Beach Event

The PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour, erectile The First Tee and Monterey Peninsula Foundation announced yesterday, March 7, that Nature Valley will be the new title sponsor for the annual tournament at Pebble Beach.

The tournament sponsorship expands Nature Valley’s involvement with the PGA TOUR. An official marketing partner of the PGA TOUR since 2000, Nature Valley is the Official Natural Energy Bar of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

Entering its eighth year, the unique event features The First Tee participants and amateurs competing side-by-side with Champions Tour players at the renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links and Del Monte Golf Course. 

Mike Stevens, President of the Champions Tour, stated: “The Champions Tour is thrilled to welcome General Mills and its Nature Valley brand as title sponsor of the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach. This is one of our players’ favorite events, showcasing the best of the Champions Tour and outstanding young people from The First Tee program.”

Jon Nudi, President, General Mills Snacks Division under which Nature Valley operates, added: “Nature Valley is pleased to continue its long-standing relationship with the PGA TOUR and provide support for The First Tee event. We are also very excited to expand our relationship with The First Tee and help them advance their terrific initiatives.”