La Liga Athletic Bilbao has learned telecom company Telefonica will stop its sponsorship of the club in '14. In a statement, the company said that "it was studying a political change in its sponsorship and could abandon professional sports in general to focus on supporting children, entrepreneurship, research and culture" (EFE, 2/18). ... Master Grand Slam Indoor equestrian events organizer EEM World signed a new sponsorship deal with Gucci as lead sponsor for the Longines Hong Kong Masters. Held at the AsiaWorld-Expo from Feb. 28 to March 2, this first edition of the second round of the Masters Grand Slam Indoor promises to carry forward the tradition of the Gucci Paris Masters (EEM World). ... The Int'l University Sports Federation (FISU) signed a long-term partnership with Swiss watchmaker Tissot that will start with its major events in '13. Tissot has been named as the official timekeeper of FISU Universiades, the biggest int'l multi-sport events held for student athletes (FISU). ... The Curragh Racecourse announced that European bloodstock auctioneers Tattersalls will sponsor the Irish 2000 Guineas race in May. The Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas is the first Group 1 race of the year in Ireland and the highlight on day one of the Curragh’s Spring Racing Festival (Curragh Racecourse). ... Amaury Sport Organisation, organizer of the Paris Marathon, has signed on Schneider Electric to become the event's title sponsor. The marathon will take place on April 7 on the Champs Élysées (ASO).
