F1 and FOX Sports LatAm agree new TV partnership

Formula 1 has announced a new partnership with FOX Sports Latin America.

For the next five years, from 2018 until 2022, FOX Sports will hold the exclusive broadcasting rights of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship on TV and digital platforms throughout Latin America (excluding Brazil).

The new agreement includes the coverage of practice sessions, qualifying sessions and Grands Prix, totalling 300 hours of live broadcasting on FOX Sports, FOX Sports 2 and FOX Premium Action channels.

Ian Holmes, Director of Media Rights, Formula 1 said: “We are very happy to have FOX Sports as a partner in Latin America for the next five years.

“This new agreement represents a great opportunity and will allow us to bring the FIA Formula 1 World Championship in 19 countries throughout South and Central America where Formula 1 has a strongly established tradition as well as huge potential to gather and galvanise new fans.”

Carlos Martinez, President, FOX Networks Group Latin America, said: “We are happy to have such a relevant property as the FIA Formula 1 World Championship back (on FOX Sports in our robust motorsport content proposal.

“We’re thankful to Formula 1 for trusting FOX Sports and our team to broadcast Formula 1 to more than 45 million Spanish-speaking homes in Latin America. The passion of Latin American fans for car racing makes this category key to our content offering, and we will contribute with our know-how to make the experience of living it in our portfolio unbeatable.”

The agreement with FOX Sports Latin America is added to the others F1 sealed throughout 2017, including Spain, Australia, France, Germany and the United States.

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Kent County Cricket Club appoints Paul Downton as Director of Cricket

Kent County Cricket Club has appointed Paul Downton as its new Director of Cricket.

He has sat on the board of Middlesex County Cricket Club for 19 following the end of his playing career in 1991.

Downton said of his appointment: “I’ll be responsible for the business of cricket and making us as competitive as we can be on the pitch.

“We will aim to maximise our resources and make good strategic decisions in developing and attracting talent to the club. The ambition is to connect with the communities of Kent and build teams that they can be proud of.”

Kent Chairman, Simon Philip, added: “Paul was the outstanding candidate from our thorough recruitment process. He combines vast cricket experience as a player and administrator with astute business sense from his career in finance.

“Paul played during very successful periods at Kent and Middlesex and we’re confident he will drive the club’s considerable ambitions on the pitch.”

Major League Baseball announces partnership with Regis Corporation

Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a new partnership with haircare specialist Regis Corporation.

As part of the agreement, the Supercuts brand is set to become the official hair salon and official hair stylist of the North American league.

Noah Garden, executive vice president of commerce for MLB, said: “We are pleased to welcome Supercuts and the Regis Corporation into the baseball family.

“After a memorable 2017 season, 2018 is poised to be another thrilling year of baseball and we’re glad that Supercuts is joining us to be a part of the excitement.”

Hugh Sawyer, president and chief executive of Regis Corporation, added: “We are delighted to establish this exclusive, multi-year partnership with MLB.

“We anticipate that our new relationship with MLB will be a highly effective platform for Supercuts’ well-known national brand to support the growth of our local market Supercuts franchised and company-owned salons across North America.”

The sponsorship will also be featured on a range of marketing sectors including broadcast, digital, mobile and social.

European Breeders’ Fund becomes an official partner of The Jockey Club

The British arm of the European Breeders’ Fund (EBF) has become an official partner of The Jockey Club, it was announced today, in recognition of the major investment domestic Stallion Studs make into British Racing via the British EBF.

The partnership is designed to help to heighten awareness within the British Racing industry of the significant contribution the British EBF is making to racing in this country, using the platform The Jockey Club can provide through its 15-strong group of racecourses nationwide.

The vast majority of the £1.6 million per year supplementation of prize money that the British EBF provides is via contributions from the income of stallions standing in Great Britain.

EBF enhancements to prize money are always reflected above the minimum value of a race, so owners benefit directly from the fund. The trustees also direct money into parts of the programme that encourage progression or which require support.

Stephen Wallis, Group Director of International and Racing Relations at The Jockey Club, explained why The Jockey Club were keen to initiate the new partnership: “The European Breeders’ Fund has been an integral part of the landscape of British Racing for more than 30 years.

“We are proud to stage the largest number of EBF races at The Jockey Club’s racecourses and thus help to facilitate this important initiative for horsemen. We are very pleased to be working with the British EBF now as an official partner in the promotion of our sport and in support of our prize money aims

“Hopefully the group-wide platform we offer will help to showcase to the industry what a significant contribution the British EBF is making to racing in this country.”

Philip Mitchell, Chairman of the British EBF, commented: “The trustees of the British EBF are delighted that The Jockey Club is acknowledging British stallion studs and owners’ support of British Racing in this way.

“We hope that this new relationship will increase the profile of the organisation and help more people understand what we do and how we are funded. The Fund is still a vital tool to boost prize money which we could not provide without the support and generosity of the stallion masters.

“We are working with other racecourses and groups on similar projects to the group-wide partnership with The Jockey Club and its racecourses, and hope that the initiative that they have shown in approaching us will pave the way for further industry engagement.”

RCD Espanyol announce Alfa Romeo sponsorship deal

LaLiga football club RCD Espanyol has announced a sponsorship agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Spain (FCA).

As part of the agreement, Alfa Romeo has become the official vehicle of the club during the 2017/2018 season.

The Italian vehicle manufacturer will benefit from brand exposure inside and outside the RCDE Stadium, while the side’s first-team squad, manager and coaching staff will also enjoy of a fleet of Alfa Romeo vehicles.

RCD Espanyol Marketing Director, Antoni Alegre, said: “This agreement represents the union between two brands with a great history and prestige in their sectors.

“It will be a pride for all fans, players and managers to enjoy this agreement and be able to move towards our objectives.”

Luca Parasacco, CEO of FCA Spain and Portugal, added: “With this sponsorship, RCD Espanyol becomes a strategic ally for us when it comes to sharing future projects in Catalonia.”

ADT announces new sponsorship deal with Washington Wizards

ADT, provider of security and automation solutions for homes and businesses, has announced a new sponsorship with NBA team Washington Wizards.

As part of the agreement, ADT will present the ‘first responders salute’, celebrating emergency personnel at select Wizards home games, as nominated by members of their community.

The partnership has been agreed for the remainder of the 2017/18 season.

Patrick Duffy, Monumental Sports and Entertainment Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with ADT on the First Responders Salute.

“This program is all about giving thanks to those that make us feel safe in our community. Thank you to both the First Responders and ADT for keeping our fans, friends and families safe.”

Jason Shockley, Vice President, Corporate Communications at ADT, said: “Whether you’re at home or on-the-go, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe.

“It’s a team effort to save lives and bring peace of mind to families, and we’re honored to celebrate local first responders who make a positive impact in their community together with the Washington Wizards.”

World Series of Boxing extends deal with equipment supplier

The World Series of Boxing has extended its partnership with official equipment supplier Sting.

The new agreement incorporates the upcoming eighth edition of the series, with Sting set to provide all fight equipment used by competitors across the entire season.

Sting Managing Director, Amir Anis, said: “Sting is delighted to be partnering again with WSB. We are proud to be part of the only team boxing competition in the world and we hope the boxers and the fans will enjoy our new gloves design.”

AIBA Interim President, Franco Falcinelli, added: “We are happy to extend our partnership with STING for Season VIII. The quality of their products, as well as this new design will enhance WSB’s image and will contribute to making Season VIII yet another ground-breaking WSB edition.”

British Athletics confirm three-year sponsorship deal with SPAR

British Athletics have today announced a three-year sponsorship deal with SPAR (UK) Ltd that will see the convenience store group offer wide-ranging support until the end of 2020.

As part of the agreement, SPAR will become the title partner of the British Athletics Indoor Championships for the next three years.

SPAR will also act as events partner to the end of 2020 to include the Müller Anniversary Games and Müller Grand Prix Birmingham as well as the Müller Indoor Grand Prix in Glasgow in 2018 and 2020 and Birmingham in 2019,.

SPAR, whose international arm has a long-standing partnership with European Athletics, will bring a Nutrition Zone to British Athletics events, take athletics to children of all ages through its SPARK initiative and also work with the Female Coaching Network.

Niels de Vos, Chief Executive at British Athletics, said: “We are delighted to welcome back SPAR to the athletics family for the next three years and we look forward to working with them as we aim to build on the success of 2017 both on and off the track.

“As demonstrated throughout 2017, there is huge support and enthusiasm from the British public for athletics and partnerships like this one reflect that and the strong position the sport finds itself in as we build towards Tokyo 2020.”

Debbie Robinson, SPAR (UK) Ltd Managing Director, said: “SPAR has a proud tradition of supporting athletics and we are delighted to reignite our relationship with British Athletics.

“We hope that by working together we can help the current crop of athletics stars on the road to Tokyo, as well as discover future local talent in the communities our stores serve.”

Aviva extends sponsorship of Ireland’s national stadium until 2025

Aviva Ireland has today announced the extension of its naming rights of the Aviva Stadium until 2025.

The company, which has served as a partner of the IRFU and FAI since 2010, also sponsors and supports two successful grassroots programmes.

Since opening in 2010 the arena has staged more than 140 major events, which have been attended by over seven million people.

Mark Wilson, Group CEO of Aviva, said: “The Aviva Stadium is an Irish icon, one of the world’s great stadiums. It is the home of many Irish victories and wonderful sporting drama.

“We are delighted to extend our sponsorship for a further five years and continue our successful association with the FAI and IRFU in support of Irish Football and Rugby.”

IRFU Chief Executive, Philip Browne, added: “Aviva has been a great supporter of Irish Rugby over the past eight years and we look forward to further developing our partnership in the years to come.”

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, commented: “We can be extremely proud of the Aviva Stadium being considered amongst the best stadia in Europe, which is why UEFA chose it to host the 2011 Europa League final and for four games at Euro 2020.

“We look forward to working with Aviva Ireland, the staff at the Aviva Stadium, and the IRFU over the next five years as we continue to provide the best possible experience for our supporters, stakeholders, and partners.”

University of Birmingham becomes national supplier for 2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships

The University of Birmingham has become the latest national supplier for the IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018.

The University will support the volunteer programme for the Championships, which is the biggest indoor sports event to be staged in the city for 15 years.

More than 500 volunteers, who’ll be known as ‘Gems’, to highlight the city’s Jewellery Quarter and because they are so valuable to the event, are being recruited to help out during the Championships, and the University will support this programme.

Championships Director, Joan Durose, said: “We are delighted to have the biggest university in the city on board as a supplier. Our volunteers are crucial to the success of the Championships and it is great to have the expertise of the University to call on, to help us provide a first-class training programme for our Gems.”

Zena Wooldridge OBE, University of Birmingham’s Director of Sport, said: “It’s a privilege to be a part of another global sporting event happening in Birmingham. In a university where athletics is part of our heritage, and volunteering is an increasingly important part of our student experience, our support for the Gems programme is a natural synergy.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for our own volunteer team to contribute to the success of the IAAF World Indoor Championships, whilst supporting some of our students to gain a unique and memorable volunteering experience from this event coming to Birmingham.”

The IAAF World Indoor Championships Birmingham 2018 will be jointly organised by Birmingham City Council and British Athletics on behalf of the IAAF (the International Association of Athletics Federations).