North America

Lexus, the luxury car division of Japanese automotive manufacturer Toyota, has signed a two-year deal to become the official vehicle of the USA Pro Challenge through the 2015 edition of the annual cycling race.

The athletics division of Rutgers University has agreed five-year sponsorship deals with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and health insurance provider AmeriHealth New Jersey to mark the US college’s move into the Big Ten Conference.

US financial institution Bank of America has enhanced its long-standing association with the Special Olympics multi-sport event ahead of its 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

Food products company Dannon has reached an agreement to become the official yoghurt sponsor of the NFL American football league from 2015.

USA Basketball has announced new marketing partnerships with electronics manufacturer Samsung, beverages company Diageo and the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in deals that will run through 2016.

Global recruitment specialist Hays has entered into a three-year partnership with Major League Soccer newcomer New York City Football Club.

NFL American football team Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed a three-year partnership with locally-based retail pharmacy Smart Pharmacy.

NFL American football team Washington Redskins has entered into a content and marketing partnership with the Washington Times newspaper for the 2014 season.

Major League Baseball team Texas Rangers has secured a five-year sponsorship deal with Korean automotive company Hyundai which will extend through the 2018 season.

US financial services company EverBank has extended its stadium naming rights deal with NFL American football franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars, signing a 10-year contract worth $43m (€31.6m).

Texan cruise operator Carnival Cruise Lines has agreed a multi-year partnership with Dallas Cowboys to become the NFL American football team’s official cruise line.

American communications company CenturyLink has reached a three-year deal to become an official partner of the Denver Broncos, effective from the 2014 NFL American football season.

NFL American football team Cleveland Browns have signed a sponsorship agreement with Columbus-based discount department store chain Value City Furniture that will look to capitalise on increased fan interest surrounding the franchise’s pre-season training camp.

Branded merchandise company G&G Outfitters has agreed a three-year extension to its partnership with US college athletics conference the Patriot League.

College sports organisation the Pac-12 Conference has signed a three-year partnership with energy company Chevron.

Online payment system Bitcoin has expanded its involvement in American college sport through a sponsorship agreement with the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Athletic Association.