Sponsorship & Marketing
Exclusive: FIFA warned
The man who formulated FIFA’s first major global marketing campaign has warned soccer’s governing body it may be biting off more than it can chew by taking its rights in-house, sportbusiness.com can reveal.
Bobcats get new investors
Miami-based investment company the Astri Group has joined the ownership group of new NBA franchise the Charlotte Bobcats.
Coughlin signs with Speedo
Swimwear giant Speedo has signed an endorsement deal with US world record holder Natalie Coughlin.
Wilson quits ECB
The chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) corporate affairs and marketing advisory committee has quit its management board as the row over England’s proposed tour to Zimbabwe continues.
Everton scores mortgage deal
English Premier League club Everton is offering its fans a branded mortgage service.
BMW sails to new deal
BMW has extended its partnership with sailing’s Oracle Racing – and cemented its long-term commitment to yacht racing.
UK Athletics in rights revamp
UK Athletics says it is hunting a second major commercial partner after reshuffling its rights.
Europe warms to stadia deals
The stadium naming rights deal in Europe is finally coming of age, according to major new research.
Goodform’s graduates training day
UK sport industry training specialists Goodform has unveiled a new one-day course for students looking at breaking into the sector.
BOA signs research partner
Sports Marketing Surveys has become the official research supplier to the British Olympic Association (BOA).
Nielsen expands sports arm
US research giant Nielsen is to become the latest big name to enter the televised sport sponsorship monitoring sector.
Reebok signs double deal
Sportswear giant Reebok has signed multi-year endorsement deals with two upcoming US football stars.
PCA secures title sponsor
European law firm Taylor Wessing has signed an exclusive agreement to become the title sponsor of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) Masters Series in England for the 2004 and 2005 cricket seasons.
MegaPro brokers naming deals
South African sports marketing agency MegaPro is celebrating after brokering the deal which saw three of the countries oldest Test match cricket grounds secure naming rights deals.
California gets LG event
California’s Fairplex in Pomona will host the second LG Action Sports Championships, it has been confirmed.
IOC ‘seeks marketing chief’
The IOC has hired a head-hunter to recruit a new marketing director – just months after it scrapped the role.
IMG’s new tourism target
Sports marketing giant IMG is expanding into global tourism as it looks to increase its consultancy base.
TAG’s new tournament
Watch brand TAG Heuer has come up with an innovative new sports marketing strategy – a golf tournament open only to those buying its latest limited edition product.