Wasserman announced the expansion of its global football division with the acquisition of French-based agency Mondial Promotion. Mondial represents over 60 clients, including Didier Drogba, Diafra Sakho, Arouna Koné, Pape Souaré, Bafetimbi Gomis, Idrissa Gana Gueye, Anthony Modeste and Marouane Chamakh. The addition of Mondial strengthens Wasserman's position in the industry as it continues to build its football business (Wasserman).
SOUTHAMPTON SIGNS SPORTPESA: EPL side Southampton and African sports betting platform SportPesa signed a multi-million pound, three-year deal ahead of the start of the '16-17 season. Southampton will support the development of young players in Kenya by sending football development staff to the country (Southampton).
TIGERS ADD PARTNER: Premiership rugby side Leicester Tigers agreed to a new sponsorship with U.K. financial management firm Mattioli Woods. As an official sponsor of the Tigers, the East Stand at Welford Road will carry the Mattioli Woods name in time for the start of the '16-17 season and the company will also have branding on the team's playing kit (Leicester Tigers).
GOING SEPARATE WAYS: Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and Lufthansa "parted ways at the end of June," the airline confirmed. Lufthansa said, "The sponsorship contract between Eintracht Frankfurt and Lufthansa has expired on June 30, 2016, and was not extended from our side." Lufthansa also said that the reported contract details "were incorrect." Multiple Frankfurt-based media outlets reported the two parties "signed a five-year deal in '14." However, the airline said that "it only signed a one-year deal with the club, which was extended for another year." Lufthansa "did not comment on the reason for its sponsorship withdrawal" (SPONSORs, 7/27).
BOX OFFICE: The German Olympic Committee (DOSB) has renewed its long-standing partnership with ticketing and travel provider Dertour. The company has been a partner of the organization since '56 and will remain the only official ticketing agent for Olympic Games in Germany. The new four-year deal will run through the 2020 Tokyo Games. The company is also the official travel partner of the German Olympic team. Asked about the upcoming Rio Olympics, Dertour Department Head Rudolf Stäuble said, "We have sold around 35,000 tickets" (DOSB).
MARKETING BRIEFS ...
Blanket brand Elite Team signed a three-year partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo to create an exclusive line of signature CR7 luxury blankets (Elite Team).
US Club Soccer announced a partnership with marketing agency CSM. Through the acquisition of US Club Soccer's longtime marketing and managing partner, CSM will develop and operate programming for the organization's 500,000-plus members (US Club Soccer).