Top14 side Stade Toulousain awarded its media and marketing rights for the next 10 seasons to Infront Sports & Media. Founded in 1907, Stade Toulousain holds the most titles in French rugby (four European and 19 French Championship titles). Infront will market all of the club's sponsorship, hospitality, media and digital offers (Infront).
Hero MotoCorp was named the title sponsor of the men's Hockey World League semifinal in London. The Int'l Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed the New Delhi-based company would "perform the role for the tournament at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park next month." The competition, due to run from June 15-25, serves as a qualifier for the 2018 Hockey World Cup in India (INSIDE THE GAMES, 5/29).
League Championship side Aston Villa will announce its new shirt sponsor for the '17-18 season "in the weeks ahead." The club "secured the deal after hard work from the newly-formed commercial team which has been revamped over the past 12 months to help Villa increase revenue beyond the football side of the business." Leading the team is former Premiership rugby side Wasps CCO Luke Organ "who has taken up the same role" at Aston Villa for the past six months (BIRMINGHAM MAIL, 5/30).
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced two new sponsors of the national team. Olive oil producer Costa d'Oro will be Italy's official partner for its 2018 World Cup qualifying games, while snack food manufacturer San Carlo will be the team's premium sponsor until the end of '18 (FIGC).
