The World Baseball Softball Confederation has entered into a partnership with JXTG Nippon Oil & Energy Corp., a Japanese petroleum company.
As part of the deal, the company’s ENEOS brand will serve as the presenting partner of the WBSC’s world rankings system. The length of the deal was not disclosed.
ENEOS logos and the 'WBSC World Rankings Presented by ENEOS' moniker will be integrated into the WBSC’s website, and across related media and social media.
The deal marks the first time the WBSC has signed a sponsor for its rankings system.
“This exciting partnership with ENEOS positions WBSC among the few sports/international federations with a rankings sponsor, bringing added prestige and status to our sport, the WBSC Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships, and all WBSC-sanctioned events on which the rankings are based,” WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari said.
“The WBSC World Rankings are one of the most closely followed international properties among WBSC's members and fans in over 140 countries and territories, and we feel this is a perfect partnership to further elevate this exciting WBSC asset while delivering global brand exposure to ENEOS.”
Japan currently leads the world rankings ahead of the United States and South Korea.