Italian MotoGP team LCR-Honda acquired energy drink producer Red Bull as its title sponsor for the 2012 U.S. Grand Prix. Team principal Lucio Cecchinello finances his team from race to race with different title sponsors. Sunday's race is the 11th of the season and the Austrian-based energy drink producer is the team's seventh title sponsor of '12. Previous title sponsors include Givi, Linear, Speedweek, elf, Playboy and Rizoma (SPEEDWEEK, 8/16).
MONEY IN THE BANK: Bundesliga handball club HBW Balingen-Weilstetten extended its title sponsorship deal with Sparkasse Zollernalb for another two years. The financial institution has been the club's title sponsor for the last two seasons (HBW Balingen-Weilstetten).
FOOTBALL DEALS: Brazilian second division club Atletico-PR has reached a three-year sponsorship agreement with supplement supplier Nutrilatina. (MAQUINADOESPORTE.com, 8/18). ... EPL Tottenham Hotspur has named Asian gaming company Fun88 as its official Asian betting and gaming partner in a two-year deal (Tottenham Hotspur). ... Hilton Worldwide has opened a hotel at the new home of English football, St. George's Park. Hilton also opened Hilton London Wembley last month, its new hotel immediately adjacent to Wembley Stadium (Hilton).
HAPPENINGS DOWN UNDER: Samsung will launch an integrated marketing campaign leveraging its sponsorship deal with the Australian Rugby Union. The campaign, which will appear across all media and social platforms, will give fans a virtual jersey when they sign up for the "UNITE" campaign on Samsung's website. The initiative launched during the first Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks on Saturday (SPONSORSHIPNEWS.com.au, 8/17). ... Etihad Airways has extended its naming and marketing rights for Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium through '19. Etihad Stadium GM of Sales and Marketing Peter Filopoulos said that the deal was "significantly larger" than the original five-year deal signed in '09 (Etihad Airways).
