Toyota extended its sponsorship of the Copa Libertadores for this year's edition of the tournament. This year's Copa Libertadores began in January and will conclude in November. Toyota has sponsored the Copa Libertadores since '98 (CONMEBOL).
Nutrition company Herbalife France announced it partnered with the French Volleyball Federation (FFVB) and French int’l Earvin Ngapeth. Herbalife is now an official provider for the FFVB and its logo will appear on the back of the men’s and women’s teams' shorts. The contracts were signed for one year, but Herbalife “hopes to extend the deal through the current Olympic cycle.” The brand will also have LED board visibility during competitions in France and a presence on interview backdrops (SPORTBUZZ BUSINESS, 4/12).
Ireland Premier Division football club Shamrock Rovers named Paddy Power its official betting partner. The agreement will see the Paddy Power brand featured on the team's shirt sleeve and throughout the pitchside hoardings at the 6,000-capacity Tallaght Stadium (SBC NEWS, 4/12).
Indian Premier League franchise Kings XI Punjab announced 21 sponsors and partners for the season. Hero Cycles will be the franchise’s title sponsor. The team also named Idea and Johnson Tiles principal sponsors. KEI, Arabol Lubricants, ItzCash, Hike Messenger and Lotus Herbals are the team’s official partners. Kingfisher and DTDC are the official goodtime and logistics partners, respectively (TELEVISION POST, 4/10).
Second Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld agreed to a kit deal with sportswear brand Joma. The Spanish company will manufacture the club's first team, women’s team and junior kits, as well as training apparel. It will also supply the club's coaching staff with tracksuits. Joma will "enjoy a strong brand presence at Bielefeld’s home, the Bielefelder Alm" (SOCCEREX, 4/12).
League One side Bristol Rovers revealed its main shirt sponsors for the '17-18 season "via a draw." While most clubs "hand over the prime position on the front of the home kit to the highest bidder, Rovers take a novel and more egalitarian approach to assigning their kit sponsorship," with businesses entering an FA Cup-style draw. The "big winners" for the '17-18 season were Thornton’s Travel, which "scooped the first prize and will be the main sponsor on the front of the home shirt" (BRISTOL POST, 4/10).
