Lacoste named tennis player Novak Djokovic as the "new face" of the clothing brand, as he will "act as a brand ambassador and will appear in advertising campaigns." The announcement "follows the expiration of his five-year deal with Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo, which appointed him as its global brand ambassador" in '12. Future initiatives include an "eponymous clothing range" for Djokovic that he will wear during competition, beginning with the French Open (WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY, 5/22).
Football Kenya Federation signed a Sh75M ($726,000) partnership with Singapore-based sports apparel company Mafro Sports to kit all of the national teams for the next three years. This is FKF's first partnership with a kit maker since April '15, when a two-year kit deal for the U17, U20, U23 and the senior team was finalized with Joma under then-President Sam Nyamweya. Mafro is expected to provide 600 pieces of every category of the uniforms for both the senior and junior national teams (THE NATION, 5/22).
Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian announced that Umbro will once again be the club's kit supplier. Umbro will provide the club's kit starting with the '17-18 season. The brand will produce all on-pitch and training products as well as sportswear for fans and players (Heart of Midlothian).
The UFC announced that Hospital for Special Surgery will serve as the brand's first official hospital. The new multi-year partnership provides UFC with access to the hospital's sports medicine physicians, who will serve as orthopedic consultants in conjunction with the brand's medical team (UFC).
