North America

Day three of the 2014 IEG Sponsorship Conference started at a round table with director of global partnerships for logistics company UPS, Betsy Wilson.

Soft drinks brand Dr Pepper has reached an agreement with US sports broadcaster ESPN to become the first official championship partner and a presenting sponsor of the new College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy.

Information and communication technology company Acer has struck a one-year partnership with Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays.

NHL ice hockey team New York Rangers has announced a marketing partnership with interactive and mobile casino-themed game provider Caesars Interactive Entertainment, making its World Series of Poker portal the Rangers’ exclusive online gaming partner.

Sporting goods company Riddell has extended its agreement to produce collectible helmets for the NFL through the American football league’s 2018-19 season.

Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways has agreed a multi-year partnership with Major League Soccer, the top division of football in North America.

The NFL has confirmed an expansion of its sponsorship agreement with Bose that makes the US audio equipment manufacturer the official headphone and headset provider for the American football league.

Japanese carmaker Toyota has become the first Founding Partner of the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, in a deal from 2015 to 2025.

US mobile telecoms operator Verizon Wireless has agreed to pay $12m (€8.6m) per year for the title sponsorship and ‘activation and media’ rights to the IndyCar Series, the North American open-wheel motor racing championship.

North American stock-car racing series Nascar has entered into an agreement that makes Janssen Pharmaceuticals its official cardiovascular partner.

US retail mortgage lender Quicken Loans has agreed a multi-year deal to become the new title sponsor of the PGA Tour golf tournament formerly known as the AT&T National, along with becoming an official partner of the Tour itself.

Major League Baseball team Pittsburgh Pirates has announced a multi-year partnership with beer producer the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.

Health insurance provider Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has signed a multi-year extension to its partnership with Major League Baseball team Pittsburgh Pirates.

North American baseball league Major League Baseball has entered into a partnership with dating website Match.com for the 2014 season.

Italian power company Enel has announced a three-year renewal to its partnership with the Association of Tennis Professionals, the governing body of men’s professional tennis.

San Francisco-based financial services firm Wells Fargo has reached a five-year agreement with tournament host organisation Champions for Education to extend its title sponsorship of the Wells Fargo Championship PGA Tour golf event through 2019.

Mixed martial arts series Bellator has announced a multi-year sponsorship deal that makes health supplement and lifestyle company Bamboo Nutra the official nutrition and supplement partner of Bellator.

Women’s National Basketball Association champion Minnesota Lynx has announced a multi-year jersey sponsorship agreement with non-profit medical care group Mayo Clinic.