Europe

Russian telecommunications company Rostelecom has signed an agreement to become the telecommunications partner of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic winter Games.

US sportswear brand New Balance has reached a multi-year deal with the Olympic Council of Ireland to become its official apparel and footwear sponsor.

McDonald’s has signed an agreement to become a national partner of the Sochi 2014 Paralympic winter Games.

Russian sport could be set for significant change after a new bill that would ban state-owned companies from sponsoring professional teams was introduced to the country’s lower house of parliament.

The Austrian Football Association (OFB) has extended its partnership with brewery Stiegl for another three years.

National high performance sports agency UK Sport has announced a four-year partnership with Sportscover.

English Premiership club Harlequins has extended its sponsorship agreement with UK brewer Greene King until the end of the 2016-17 rugby union season.

Business advice company ClearSky Business has agreed a deal to become the new principal sponsor of English Super League rugby league team Hull Kingston Rovers for the 2014 season, marking the firm’s first venture into sports sponsorship.

Atletico Madrid will promote Baku’s hosting of the inaugural European Games in 2015 as part of the Spanish Liga football club’s commercial partnership with Azerbaijan’s tourism authority.

The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) has entered into a technical partnership with sports and recreation construction company SMC2.

Sports Sponsorship Insider is delighted to announce its partnership with the ESA Diploma, the first academic qualification designed specifically for the needs of the sponsorship industry.

English Premier League football club Manchester United has announced a four-year financial services partnership with Maltese commercial bank Banif Bank.

Italian automotive company Fiat has extended its role as the official vehicle supplier to British Cycling through to 2016.

Cewe-Print has agreed a deal to become the official print partner of the German Basketball Federation (DBB) until June 2014.

The IMG Schweiz agency has sold a one-year secondary sponsor level package to Russian oil company Rosneft for the Spengler Cup ice hockey competition.

Insurance company QBE, the title sponsor of the Rugby Football Union’s Autumn Internationals, will learn in January how far it has reduced the association of former long-term title sponsor Investec with the prestigious series.

English Premier League football club Arsenal has agreed a two-year deal with Lanvin to make the Paris fashion house its official tailor.

Boston Networks and Gymnova have been appointed as official suppliers for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.