General Motors is set to "bid farewell to the Indian market." GM Int'l EVP & President Stefan Jacoby said, "We explored many options, but determined the increased investment originally planned for India would not deliver the returns of other significant global opportunities." GM's exit will have "huge repercussions" at ManU. GM is the official shirt sponsor for ManU and "has carried out numerous events" for the club to engage Indian fans (THE DRUM, 5/19).
Norwegian top-flight football league Eliteserien announced retail company Coop as its main partner. The agreement is for three years, with an option for two more. Coop will be the main sponsor of Eliteserien, as well as a partner to Norsk Toppfotball and part-partner of the OBOS league (Eliteserien).
Bundesliga side Cologne extended its sponsorship deal with the German post office, Deutsche Post. The agreement, which has been in place since '14, was renewed through the '19-20 season. Deutsche Post will remain a second-tier "exclusive partner" of the club. According to SPONSORs, the terms of the deal entitle Cologne to an annual €700,000 ($784,500) (SOCCEREX, 5/19).
The Int'l Ice Hockey Federation Ice Hockey World Championship extended its partnership with automobile manufacturer Škoda by four years through '21. The sponsorship extension was sealed by Infront Sports & Media. Škoda began as an official car sponsor of the event in '92 and has been the official main sponsor since '93 (Infront).
Bundesliga side Augsburg renewed its sponsorship deal with in-vehicle equipment company Sortimo Int'l. The partnership, which began in '07, has been "extended a further two years" and will run through the '18-19 season. According to SPONSORs, the deal is worth €400,000 ($448,300) per year. The agreement was brokered by Lagardère Sports (SOCCEREX, 5/19).
The FA of Zambia announced that it signed a two-year deal with MAFRO Sports to provide kits for Zambia's national football teams (SUPERSPORT, 5/21).
