North America
adidas endorses MLS growth with extended agreement
Apparel giant adidas has signed a new sponsorship agreement with North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS) with four years still remaining on the current deal. The eight-year contract, understood to worth more than $200 million, begins with the 2011 season and follows a 10-year, $150-million deal that started in 2005.
UFC recruits ex-NBA executive to lead Asia expansion
US-based mixed martial arts company Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has appointed Mark Fischer as its new executive vice president and managing director for Asia.
Geico joins Anheuser-Busch in Orlando arena deal
National Basketball Association (NBA) team Orland Magic has agreed another corporate sponsorship deal for the new Amway Center. According to the local newspaper Orlando Sentinel, the NBA franchise has inked a five-year deal with insurance provider Geico worth more than $1 million per year.
New title sponsor for college football’s Orange Bowl
Discover Financial Services has bought the four-year naming rights to the Orange Bowl, the annual college football game at Sun Life Stadium.
NFL aims to add two regular-season games in 2012
The National Football League inched closer to an 18-game schedule yesterday after Commissioner Roger Goodell said there is “overwhelming support” to add two games to the schedule.
Arsenal’s Kroenke approved as NFL Rams majority owner
Major Arsenal shareholder Stan Kroenke was yesterday approved by National Football League franchise owners as the new majority owner of the St. Louis Rams at a vote conducted in Atlanta.
US Open to be broadcast in 3D for first time
The United States Tennis Association announced consumer electronics giant Panasonic has become an official sponsor of the US Open in a new three-year agreement. Under the deal, the USTA, Panasonic and CBS Sports will spearhead the first ever 3D broadcast of the tournament.
NBA to produce first Asia-focused movie
The National Basketball Association and Shanghai Film Group, the largest movie company in China, yesterday announced a partnership to produce the first NBA-themed motion picture outside of North America.
Bud extends sponsorship of Orlando Magic and Amway Center
Anheuser-Busch beer brand Budweiser will be a sponsor of Orlando Magic’s new Amway Center after extending its sponsorship deal with the National Basketball Association team.
NFL veteran Derrick Brooks becomes Beyond Sport ambassador
Long-time Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker and Super Bowl winner Derrick Brooks has been unveiled as an ambassador to Beyond Sport, the global initiative that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive social change across the world.
MLB hero Roger Clemens faces lying charges
Major League Baseball icon Roger Clemens has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly lying to Congress about using steroids.
Barclays renews links with Beyond Sport movement
Beyond Sport has announced that Barclays Spaces for Sports is extending its partnership with the sport and development initiative into a second year. Under the deal, Barclays Spaces for Sports will once again play a pivotal role as a Global Partner to Beyond Sport, which includes the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 taking place in Chicago, September 29-30.
Budweiser Signs three-year deal with NASCAR’s Harvick
Anheuser-Busch's flagship beer brand Budweiser has unveiled a three-year sponsorship deal with North Carolina-based NASCAR team Richard Childress Racing. The deal also involves RCR's hot talent Kevin Harvick, who will carry Bud branding on his No. 29 Chevy.
Jets and Giants play first fixture in $1.6bn NFL stadium
Last night saw NFL team New York Giants take on local rivals New York Jets in the first football game to be played at their new $1.6 billion New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Only soccer exhibitions and concerts had previously been held in the stadium.
New Jersey Nets file to change team name in 2012
The National Basketball Association's New Jersey Nets and owner Mikhail Prohkorov have begun the application process for changing the team’s name.
ESPN “reaches agreement” with Fox over Premier League sublicense
Fox Sports International reached an agreement with ESPN to sublicense the Disney-owned sports network some English Premier League TV rights in the United States, according to ESPN presenter Max Bretos.
Arbitrator voids 17-year NHL player contract
Ice hockey player Ilya Kovalchuk’s $102 million, 17-year agreement with the New Jersey Devils was thrown out yesterday by an arbitrator, who ruled it was within the National Hockey League’s authority to reject the contract.
NBA plans two regular season games in London next year
The National Basketball Association will stage two regular-season games in London in March next year, NBA commissioner David Stern announced yesterday. The Toronto Raptors will face the New Jersey Nets at the O2 on March 4 and 5.