CONMEBOL appointed IMG as the exclusive agency to commercialize sponsorship rights for the 2017 and 2018 Copa Libertadores. IMG will market partner and supplier level categories. Existing deals with Bridgestone, Santander and Nike are already in place. This year has seen the competition, which was first played in '60, expand to include 47 teams from the 10 federations within CONMEBOL, playing from January through November (IMG).
Nomura Securities, a subsidiary of Japanese investment company Nomura Holdings, became a first-time global sponsor of the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Under the agreement, Nomura's logo and name will be displayed on billboards, outfield fences, and pamphlets at all stadiums. The deal is "significant as the competition has helped drive viewership over the past few years," with Japan being "one of the big three markets for baseball," along with the U.S. and Latin America (ASIA SPONSORSHIP NEWS, 2/27). Logistics services company Nippon Express, a global sponsor of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, released an online movie, "NINJA BASEBALLER," in support of the tournament. The video is "available on Nippon Express' official YouTube channel" (Nippon).
Man City received an addition to its wardrobe from the club's official fashion partner, Dsquared2. The Italian brand revealed a new, exclusive official club suit. Man City players and coaches have been dressed by Dsquared2 since October (Man City).
TAG Heuer, a partner of RCS Media Group, has been appointed official timekeeper of the Giro d’Italia, which celebrates its 100th edition in '17. All the races organized in Italy by RCS Media Group, primarily the Giro d’Italia, but also the StradeBianche, the Tirreno-Adriatico, the Milano-San Remo, the Gran Piemonte, the Milano-Torino and the Tour of Lombardy, "will be sporting the colours of TAG Heuer" (WATCH WORLD, 2/28).
The Int'l Table Tennis Federation signed a four-year partnership with Chinese global shipping company Seamaster, which will become the title sponsor of the ITTF World Tour and Table Tennis X's exclusive commercial partner (ITTF).
Betting company Ladbrokes Exchange is the new sponsor of the €100,000 ($106,000) Grade A Leinster National, the "richest ever steeplechase to be run at Naas Racecourse." The "Download the Ladbrokes Exchange App" Leinster National takes place on March 12 and is part of the national hunt finale meeting at Naas (OFFALY EXPRESS, 2/28).
The Spanish Field Hockey Federation (RFEH) signed a sponsorship deal with energy firm Iberdrola. The RFEH is the 10th federation to be sponsored by Iberdrola through the Spanish Superior Sports Council's (CSD) "Universo Mujer" program (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 2/28).
