LAST WEEK'S SPONSORSHIP NEWS

Check out the blog every Monday for a weekly roundup of the past week's most exciting and industry-altering news. These stories cover November 25- December 1, 2019 and include sponsorship news for France and the world of Formula One.

What’s going on in France?

• Team Vitality, a leading esport team in Europe extended its partnership with communications corporation Orange until 2021. The deal includes a jersey sponsorship, live event activations in France, and digital brand activations. (Source: Esports Insider)
• French soccer giants Paris Saint-Germain looking for a naming rights partner for their Parc des Princes. The sales offer include visibility benefits, image rights, use of the PSG brand, access to players, digital presence, and club experiences. (Source: SportsPro Media)
• Paris Saint-Germain is also looking for a naming partner for their new training center at Poissy, scheduled to open in 2022.
• Did you know the Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks will play in France this coming January? Yup, it will be the first regular NBA season game played in France. And in anticipation, ParionsSport—a French sports betting platform—has been named an associate partner for this inaugural Paris game. (Source: SportTechie)

And in the world of F1?

• British American Tobacco (BAT) withdrew from Formula One in 2006 when tobacco advertising was banned from the sport, but returned this year to promote its electronic smoking alternatives. There is still controversy, but nonetheless, Motorsport’s McLaren Racing team is expanding their agreement to include more branding on cars for BAT. (Source: SportsPro Media)
• The McLaren Racing team also announced Tumi as their new luggage partner who will provide travel essentials and planning to launch a joint luggage collection towards the end of 2020. (Source: SportsPro Media)
• Honda secured a contract with the Red Bull Racing team in 2019, going on to secure three victories including a grand prix win. They’ve now announced an extension until the end of 2021 which confirms the team will remain in F1 until at least that point. (Source: SportsPro Media)

In other news...

• Inter Milan is back in the news... but this time it's not really positive news. Sponsorship revenue is expected to fall €55.2 million (US$60.6 million) to €75.3 million (US$82.9 million) for the 2019/20 season. OUCH. (source)
• Online bookmaker Marathonbet named Real Madrid's first Russian sponsor. It's not the first sponsorship in Spanish soccer for Russian-based Marathonbet though. (source)
• Bicycle manufacturer Merida has confirmed it will cease its title sponsorship of the Bahrain-Merida team in 2020. Bahrain-McLaren coming right up! (source)
• Tennis Australia named Marriott Bonvoy the official hotel partner for the inaugural ATP Cup men's tournament and the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) season-opening Brisbane International. (source)
• The Australia Open and Mastercard extended their partnership. (source)
• English top-flight soccer giants Manchester United are closing in on a world-record UK£70 million (US$90 million) a year shirt sponsorship deal with China-based company. (source)

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