LAST WEEK'S SPONSORSHIP NEWS

These stories cover sponsorship news for January 6-12, 2020. This is part of our "Last Week Today" series that includes a weekly roundup of the past week's most exciting and industry-altering news. Check back on our blog every Monday for updates!

NIKE SPONSORS LIVERPOOL

It's official! With New Balance no longer in the picture, Nike becomes the official kit supplier of the Premier League club Liverpool from 2020-2021 season for a basic fee of $39.5 million per season.

The sportswear giant will manufacture and supply Liverpool’s playing, training & travel wear for its men’s, women’s and Academy squads, as well as coaching staff and the Liverpool FC Foundation.

Read more on SportBusiness.com

PARALYMPIC SUMMER GAMES

Japanese automotive manufacturer, Toyota, and oil and gas company BP made a deal with Channel 4 to become joint sponsors of the 2020 summer Paralympic Games.

This shared sponsorship will include build up programming, live coverage during the games, highlights and entertainment shows.

While Toyota has been a part of this since 2018, the deal will be BP's first television sponsorship with the broadcaster.

Read more on SportBusiness.com

FANTASY & SPORTS BETTING

DraftKings renewed their partnership and will continue as the daily fantasy and sports betting partner for the New York Rangers and New York Knicks, as well as the Westchester Knicks of the NBA's G-League.

Read more at SportTechie.com

RUSSIAN TYCOON "THINKS" ABOUT IT

Alisher Usmanov, a Russian billionaire is "thinking about" investing in top-flight English soccer club Everton. He's actually a loyal fan of Arsenal. But since he's a professional, stated he will wear an Everton shirt if he goes through with this.

Read more on SportsMediaPro.com

MORE SPONSORS WALK AWAY

The Williams Formula One team have now also lost the Unilever-owned brand Rexona after they decided not to renew their contract. This is in addition to losing PKN Orlen, Tata Communications, Omnitude, and Symantec.

The team's financials showed a loss of more than $21 million for the first half of 2019, and revenue fallinng from $79.8 million to $60.9 million year-on-year. Needless to say, it's been a rough season for the Williams team.

On the flip side, Canadian food products manufacturer Sofina Foods has extended and expanded its sponsorship deal with Formula 1 motor-racing team Williams.

Read more at SportsProMedia.com

RACEWAY LOSES NAMING RIGHTS SPONSOR

Well, kind of...

Media technology company ISM Connect stepped down from its naming rights agreement with the Phoenix Raceway just two years into its 10-year contract. This was a mutually agreeable decision to restructure their relationship.

The Phoenix Raceway will host the 2020 Nascar Cup Series Championship for the first time in November after a $178 million revamp.

Which also means that the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California is the only Nascar Cup Series track with a naming rights sponsor attached.

Read more at SportBusiness.com

HUMAN-SIZED HAMSTER WHEEL

Did you see it?! Aflac activated at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 13 with the Supplemental Spinner – a human hamster wheel that offered prizes.

Look out next Monday for the usual round-up on sponsorship news.