Michelin stated that it it "will tender an application to become F1's sole supplier but only under certain conditions." Michelin Motorsport Dir Pascal Couasnon: "If F1 wants to consider our proposals we are here, fully open, with a strong will to return." But, he added, "If things stay as they are, we are not interested" (PLANET F1, 5/13). ... Nexen Tire has signed on as a sponsor of the MercedesCup ATP tournament in Stuttgart. The South Korean tire company has agreed to a two-year deal with the ATP World Tour 250 event. The deal includes an extensive marketing package including LED boards and video ads (SPONSORs, 5/13). ... Brasileiro side Palmeiras announced a partnership with fast-food chain SportFood to "create a chain" of Italian restaurants throughout the state of São Paulo. The new restaurant chain's name "will be chosen by members, through a voting system to be up on the club's website as of Wednesday." SportFood, which claims to be the "fast food of football clubs," already works with Brasileiro sides Grêmio, Cruzeiro and Esporte Club Bahia (GLOBO ESPORTE, 5/12). ... Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar "will introduce a new, all-red outfit for footballers playing in home matches, the team said on Wednesday." The outfit "is a throwback" to its '81 championship season, and American firm Under Armour "will produce the kit as part of a new deal with the team." AZ inked a partnership deal with Under Armour for several seasons, making it the official clothing supplier for the team and its youth team (NL TIMES, 5/13).
