Handball Bundesliga (HBL) club MT Melsungen "has signed a new sponsorship deal with German energy company E.On." The two-year deal has a reported value of €50,000 ($56,000). As part of the deal, E.On "will receive ad space on LED boards at home games" (SPONSORs, 9/15). ... British Basketball League club Plymouth University Raiders agreed to a "significant" new sponsorship deal with ibis Hotels. The ibis hotel in Marsh Mills, Plymouth will be home for one Raiders player -- still to be confirmed -- this season as part of the agreement. Ibis Hotels is also now one of the club's official kit sponsors (PLYMOUTH HERALD, 9/15). ... Adidas "has welcomed the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team with an event that challenged Londoners to take on the #ForceOfBlack in a wind tunnel under London's Hungerford Bridge." Players Dan Carter, Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Whitelock, Ben Smith, Jerome Kaino, Julian Savea, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Charlie Faumuina "attended the event and watched fans take on the challenge" (MARKETING MAGAZINE, 9/15). ... Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund agreed to a sponsorship deal with Japan-based Oki, "a printing solutions service" which becomes the club's official printing partner. Oki "will assist Dortmund" with its official printing and copying requirements, while receiving pitchside advertising space at the Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund's home stadium which holds more than 80,000 fans (SOCCEREX, 9/15). ... League Championship side Reading signed a deal with online bookmaker 888sport as its new South Stand sponsor. The South Stand will now be known as the 888sport South Stand (Reading).
