Formula E announced that Charge, the U.K.-based automotive technology company and maker of smart electric trucks, will become its official electric truck partner. The agreement will see Charge supply electric trucks at Formula E events. The trucks will be used for the driver parade and for logistics both on and off the track. The first Charge truck unveiled at the Visa Paris ePrix was in partnership with DHL, the championship's official logistics partner (Formula E).
HOOLIGANS TO BLAME: Betting firm SportPesa suspended its sponsorship with Kenyan Premier League clubs Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards "over hooliganism." SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri said that the suspension "will be in force until such a time they are satisfied that the vice has been dealt with." Karauri: "Before we took over the clubs had assured us that this has been dealt with but that is not the case" (GOAL, 4/26).
MARKETING BRIEFS ...
Worcestershire County Cricket Club announced hot tub specialists Arctic Spas as its main sponsor for a third successive year in '16. Arctic Spas came on board at New Road in '13 as Worcestershire's T20 sponsor before signing a three-year deal to be the County's main sponsor from '14 onward (Worcestershire CCC).
The Int'l Biathlon Union extended its marketing rights contract with Infront Sports & Media for the IBU World Cup and World Championships Biathlon for '18-22. The partnership covers the title sponsorship as well as advertising rights at all races throughout the season. Further, the agreement includes a marketing mandate for the '17-22 IBU Cup Biathlon, the IBU Open European Championships Biathlon and the IBU Youth/Junior World Championships Biathlon (Infront).
Bangladeshi electronics company Walton was named "as the title sponsor of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League." The DPDCL "will be known as the Walton Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League." The DPDCL "did not disclose the amount" of the deal (DAILY NEW NATION, 4/25).
Second Bundesliga side SC Freiburg "will have to find a new shirt sponsor" after dairy company Ehrmann "decided to not renew its expiring deal." The company "has been the team's shirt sponsor since '11-12" and paid an estimated €1M ($1.1M) for the rights. When the club played in the top flight Bundesliga, Ehrmann paid a reported €2.5M ($2.8M) annually. Freiburg "is expected to announce a new shirt sponsor on Wednesday" (SPONSORs, 4/26).
Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) side Mitteldeutscher BC renewed its sponsorship deal with energy producer Mitgas. The company will continue to be a first-tier partner of the club until the end of the '16-17 season. Mitgas' logo will be featured on the front of the team's jersey. The company has been a partner of the club since '00 (MBC).
