In conjunction with the FIFA video game's latest launch, Nike and EA Sports have collaborated on a limited edition Mercurial Superfly. The boot highlights the progression from the 16-bit graphics of ‘94 to today’s HD output. Nike Football Senior Design Dir Nathan Van Hook said, "This collaboration came together rather organically. Our design team spends a lot of our free time playing football -- both on the pitch and via video game -- we’re pretty obsessed with both. We wanted to create something memorable that brings together the physical and virtual worlds." The medial side of the boot has a pixelated 16-bit graphic that transitions to high-definition on the lateral side. The EA Sports logo appears on the sockliner, lace and heel. In game, the virtual boot will become available Sept. 22 in the EA Sports Football Club Catalog (unlocked at level 7) (Nike).
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: House building company Redrow is the latest company to confirm it is continuing its commercial partnership with Premiership side London Irish for the '16-17 season. The company ranks among the U.K.'s leading residential developers and had a £1.38B turnover in its last financial year. The partnership provides Redrow with branding at all of London Irish's home matches, player appearances and involvement in the club's community programs (London Irish).
DRIVE TIME: Serie A side Inter Milan named Hong Kong-based luxury car maker Infiniti as its official car for the '16-17 season. Brokered through the Infiniti center in Milan which is owned by the Fassina Group, "the club will be provided with some of Infiniti’s premium models." The deal "only covers the provision of cars to the club and there is no cash component in the sponsorship" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 9/20).
BETTING PARTNER: Serie B side Bari announced online bookmaker Betland as its "new main sponsor" for the '16-17 season. Bari will carry Betland's logo on its first team playing jerseys "for the remainder of this campaign." As part of the cooperation, Bari will join Betland on an "integrity tour" of Italy, in conjunction with sports data company Sportradar, aimed at fighting match-fixing in the country (SOCCEREX, 9/20).
NEW PARIS SPONSOR: The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Bid Committee announced Société du Grand Paris as an official supplier of the bid. SGP is a public institution established by the State to fund and oversee the development of the Grand Paris Express -- a subway transport system and the largest infrastructure project in Europe that will serve the Grand Paris region and the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Paris 2024 will utilize SGP’s expertise in transportation planning and development to help shape the Paris 2024 bid. Paris 2024 has already announced 12 bid partners that have contributed approximately €25M ($28M) to the project so far (Paris 2024).
MARKETPLACE BRIEFS ...
Abu Dhabi Airports Company has become the "latest global brand to partner with the Asian Football Confederation" after agreeing to a new deal to support the AFC’s national teams and club competitions. The agreement was "formally signed on Monday." Abu Dhabi Airports Company will now be the official sponsor of the final round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers and "will be a partner at other national team competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup 2019 to be held in the UAE, as well as the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup" (GULF NEWS, 9/19).
The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) signed a four-year agreement on Tuesday, naming DHL as the official logistics partner of the FAI. The FAI and DHL will work together primarily in the areas of event logistics. The agreement has been signed for an initial period of four years. As well as providing full logistics support services to the FAI head office, the FAI and DHL will work together to promote new business through the FAI's commission meetings, National Air Sport Controls (NACs), event organizers and others within the air sport community (FAI).
The Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA) and the Belgian Pro League announced Betway as the new betting partner for Belgium’s club competition the Croky Cup for the next two seasons. The partnership will debut at the start of the round of 16, which started Tuesday (URBSFA).
Following the off-season contract extensions of all of its major partners, Ligue 1 side Lorient announced Ria Money Transfer as a new official sponsor. The California-based company’s logo will appear on the left sleeve of Lorient’s jerseys (Lorient).
