888 Holdings has extended its title sponsor deal with the Professional Golf Association and Matchroom Sport’s EuroPro Tour. 888 signed on with the Tour last year and 888 senior VP Itai Pazner called the experience a “great success.” For 2013, Pazner hopes the parties’ “new integrations will take the partnership to the next level.”
William Hill has extended its title sponsorship of the Scottish Cup. In 2012, Hills signed a two-year deal to sponsor the Scottish Football Association’s premier competition and the relationship has gone smoothly enough to extend the deal through 2016. Hills’ CEO Ralph Topping is also non-executive chairman of the Scottish Premier League, which probably didn’t hurt, although the seven-figure check Topping was holding likely made an even better impression.
Bwin.party digital entertainment has re-upped with motorcycle road racing outfit MotoGP, extending a relationship that dates back to 2004. The new two-year deal will allow Bwin to serve as title sponsor for grand prix events in Spain and the Czech Republic as well as more limited branding placement at events in Italy and the UK.
Tennis legend Boris Becker has signed on as brand ambassador for online sportsbook YouWin.com. The five-year deal will see Becker help promote the Malta-licensed sports betting site as it seeks to expand into Germany, Turkey, Canada and the UK. YouWin exec John Faley said Becker “personified our core strengths – ambition, dedication and commitment to entertaining the public.” Becker is already a member of Team PokerStars, along with current tennis ace Rafael Nadal.
The inaugural event of the International Stadiums Poker Tour (ISPT) is set to kick off at London’s Wembley Stadium on May 31 and last through June 5. While we still have no idea as to the number of participants who plan to show up for the event, the ISPT has announced that the Red Bull energy drink will serve as the official drink of the tournament, so whoever shows up isn’t likely to fall asleep before the event is in the books.
