Visa renewed its partnership with the IOC and IPC until '32. As part of the partnership, Visa "aims to enhance the fan experience and payment experience for fans globally by tapping into its 11 innovation centers" -- from Asia to Europe and the U.S. This includes remote, mobile ticket purchasing, in-seat ordering and new ways to pay at retail such as making a purchase from TV (THE DRUM, 10/14).
The NBA announced Norwegian airline as presenting partner of the NBA London Game 2019, which will feature the Washington Wizards playing the N.Y. Knicks at The O2 Arena on Jan. 17. The company will receive prominent brand exposure including event logo inclusion as well as on-court and in-arena signage (Norwegian).
The Int'l Volleyball Federation (FIVB) agreed to a four-year partnership with Chinese mineral water firm Ganten Water. Ganten will be present at all Volleyball Nations League matches and the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship through '22. The agreement includes digital activations of the FIVB's events as well as dedicated TV and marketing campaigns (FIVB).
Premiership Rugby side Harlequins partnered with sports science technology company Kitman Labs. The club's game, training and injury data will be collected and processed in real-time via a mobile app and digital dashboards (Kitman Labs).
A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers announced investment firm Centuria Capital Group as its co-major partner for the '18-19 season. The brand will be featured on the front of the club's home jersey as well as the sleeve of its W-League jerseys and back of its Y-League and academy jerseys (Western Sydney Wanderers).
Barcelona extended its partnership with Samba Financial Group through June '23 to strengthen its brand in the Middle East. Samba became the club's first sponsor in Saudi Arabia in '13 (Barcelona).
The Women's Chinese Basketball Association announced BBMG Group as its official strategic partner. The WCBA will expand from 14 teams to 18 teams for the '18-19 season, "becoming the biggest professional women's basketball league in the world" (YUTANG SPORTS, 10/15).
The Aquilini Group, owner of the Vancouver expansion franchise of the Overwatch League, added Canadian esports organization Luminosity Gaming as its operations partner. The Aquilini Group also owns the NHL Vancouver Canucks and its home stadium, Rogers Arena (THE ESPORTS OBSERVER, 10/15).
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