A new advert for FIFA 15 features Chelsea's Eden Hazard and Barcelona's Lionel Messi "playing the game against each other." And even though it's "clearly Christmas time, aside from a bunch of singing cakes, decorations and gingerbread men, they're both all alone at home" (
London DAILY MIRROR, 12/5). ... Toulouse and French national team rugby union player Vincent Clerc "agreed to a personal endorsement deal with men’s hair care brand Pétrole Hahn." The 33-year-old "will become a brand ambassador" for the company beginning Jan. 1, and as part of the deal will develop a signature line of hair products. The "one-year deal" will also include a TV commercial (
ISPORTCONNECT, 12/5). ... Pele "signed a lifetime endorsement contract" with his first professional football club, Brasileiro side Santos. The deal allows Santos "to use Pele’s brand in promotional campaigns." Terms of the agreement "were not announced." Pele said, "Santos believed in me when I was young and turned me into the man I am and the player I was" (
BLOOMBERG, 12/5).
RACING FORM: Coral and Ayr Racecourse announced that they had "signed a new five-year agreement for the Coral Scottish Grand National sponsorship." The extension "will see Coral sponsoring Scotland's richest and most prestigious jumps race until at least 2019" (EVENING TIMES, 12/5). ... Euroleague Basketball announced adidas as the title sponsor of the world's elite int'l junior tournament. The Euroleague Basketball adidas Next Generation Tournament will mark the 14th edition of a competition that has grown from eight teams and one city in '03 to qualifying tournaments held across four months in as many countries that offer at least 32 teams the chance to become the junior club champions of Europe (Euroleague). ... Consulting firm Alchemy Global, which provides advisory and capital raising services for emerging growth companies in sports and entertainment, announced that it has opened an office in London. The expansion into London represents the first step in building out a platform to service clients and investors on a global basis. Alchemy's efforts will be led by Michael Humbert, who will transition to Alchemy after working with Boris Becker's private office in London. Humbert's experience includes more than 10 years operating cross-border in the alternative investments industry and family office market (Alchemy Global).
KEEPING TIME: Swiss watchmaker Omega announced a 10-year partnership with the Ladies European Tour. The partnership underscores Omega's relationship with the sport and its support of professional female athletes (Ladies European Tour). ... Telecom Orange "formalized a three-year partnership, for an undisclosed amount," with the new Stade Vélodrome Friday. This is the first official partnership for the stadium. While the partnership between Orange and Arema, the operator of the Stade Vélodrome, does not include a “naming” agreement, Orange will “become visible inside the stadium and will receive privileged access to its various facilities” (L’EQUIPE, 12/5). ... Australian Football League side St. Kilda has secured Tourism New Zealand as a sponsor ahead of the club’s High Performance Camp in Queenstown. St. Kilda CEO Matt Finnis said it was exciting for St. Kilda to step away from its usual training environment (Saints). ... French sports apparel maker Le Coq Sportif is “reportedly planning to become the kit supplier of French club AS Saint-Etienne and Italy's ACF Fiorentina.” In Italy, Le Coq Sportif is reportedly to replace Spanish brand Joma, which became Fiorentina's kit supplier in ‘12, as the technical sponsor of the Serie A side. In France, Le Coq Sportif is expected to replace adidas as the technical sponsor of St. Etienne in the ‘15-16 season (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 12/5). ... EPL side Fulham has announced two charity partnerships with Prostate Cancer UK and local children's hospice charity Shooting Star Chase for the next two seasons. Fulham and its foundation will kick off the deals ahead of the “televised clash against Watford” (FC BUSINESS, 12/5).
