IMG

Tennis

French sportswear and fashion brand Lacoste has agreed a five-year deal to become an official partner of the Miami Open tennis tournament from 2015 to 2019.

Football

The Indian Super League (ISL) signed a three-year title sponsorship agreement with motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp in July, but brands are waiting to the last minute to sign second-tier Associate Sponsor deals in order to secure the best price.

The IMG College agency has signed a multi-year deal with Harvard University to boost the sponsorship programme of its athletics department.

Football

Automotive manufacturer Ford has reached a four-year agreement to become a premier partner of the Chinese Super League football competition from 2014 to 2017.

Rugby Union

Sports marketing agency IMG is the frontrunner to become the media and sponsorship rights sales agent for European club rugby union’s new continental competitions from the 2014-15 season onwards.

Ice Hockey

IMG Schweiz, the Swiss arm of the IMG agency, has reached a sponsorship deal with charcuterie brand Malbuner for ice hockey’s Spengler Cup.

Cycling

Home improvement retail chain Jumbo has secured a deal with IMG Schweiz, the Swiss subsidiary of the IMG agency, for the final jersey sponsorship package at this year’s Tour de Suisse UCI WorldTour cycling event.

The acquisition in December of sports and entertainment marketing agency IMG Worldwide by Hollywood agency William Morris Endeavour Entertainment and its private equity partner Silver Lake could affect the global sponsorship market in three main ways, industry experts said this month.

Football

Chinese football’s Super League is aiming to earn $25m (€19.25m) per year from a new title sponsorship deal beginning in 2014, a 150-per-cent increase on the current deal with real estate company Dalian Wanda.