IMG-Reliance Ltd. moved into the business of talent management and "roped in cricketers Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya as clients." IMG-Reliance "also signed up tennis ace and multiple doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam champion Leander Paes as its client." An IMG-Reliance spokesperson said, "As the first corporate entity to venture into this field, we see tremendous opportunity in this space, and we're very excited to bring this expertise in-house" (ONE INDIA, 4/6).
TEAM BUILDING: Nine former Brabners lawyers "are part of a team that has launched a new sport and media law firm in Manchester." Centrefield LLP "has been founded by partners Edward Canty, David Bentham and Matthew Bennett."
Nine lawyers from the firm’s 10-strong team left North West based law firm, Brabners LLP, to form Centrefield. Aside from the founders, the new team includes senior associate Stuart Baird and associates Sarah Athi, Deirdre McCarthy, Oliver Sadler, Andrew Gartside, Jennifer Norris, Kate Findlow and team administrator, Janet Yates (PROLIFIC NORTH, 4/6).
GOT MILK? Milk processing company Mother Dairy "announced its association with Delhi Daredevils as its principal sponsor in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League." Mother Dairy "will be seen as the principal sponsor of the Delhi Daredevils team jersey, along with the visibility at key spots on match days" (PTI, 4/6).
MARKETING BRIEFS ...
Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt renewed its long-time partnership with Mainova for another year until the end of the '16-17 season. Mainova has been a partner of the club since '02 (Lagardère Sports).
Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar "signed a sponsorship deal" with clothing brand Cavallaro Napoli.
The Italian-inspired, Netherlands-based brand "will supply formal wear to the Eredivisie side’s players and staff and will be granted a range of promotional rights."
The financial terms of the three-year deal "were not released" (SOCCEREX, 4/6).
EPL side West Ham’s principal sponsor, online bookmaker Betway, "is to title sponsor the final game to be played at the Boleyn Ground, a farewell friendly between England and German legends."
The match, which will take place on the 50th anniversary of England’s sole World Cup success at the 1966 finals, "will feature former England stars Paul Scholes, Steve McManaman and Teddy Sheringham, alongside a host of film, music and TV stars" (SOCCEREX, 4/6).
The Federation of Int'l Polo announced that United States Polo Association Global Licensing will assume the role of official global apparel provider of FIP. The partnership will be launched in Berlin, Germany on Sept. 4 at the FIP European Championship. The USPA will outfit FIP officials and teams with jerseys, pants, jackets, caps and equipment bags (USPA).
The Int'l Judo Federation named Todini Costruzioni Generali a new IJF partner. The agreement, which will run for four years, also includes the support of the IJF Training Centre in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (IJF).
HSBC reaffirmed its commitment to golf in China by extending its sponsorship of the CGA-HSBC China Junior Golf Program for another five years (’16-20). Now in its 10th year, the joint initiative is the only officially sanctioned junior golf program in China (HSBC).
