The squeeze was put on Auburn ISP sports network President Michael Hubbard, earlier this month when longtime corporate partner, Colonial Bank, was seized by regulators. BB&T took over Colonial's assets and today it was announced that BB&T has decided to take over its Auburn sponsorship, as well.

The deal is the first sports sponsorship for BB&T in Alabama, where it is as a result of the acquisition now the fourth largest bank.

"The excitement of Auburn athletics is a powerful force in this region," Jodie Hughes, president of BB&T's South Alabama Region, said. "Our alignment with Auburn and the Auburn ISP Sports Network will enable us to create brand recognition in a way that a typical ad cannot. Auburn fans are among the best in the country, and this is a great way for us to sh...

Ford Trucks and country singer Toby Keith are building on their 3 year relationship this fall with an integrated sponsorship campaign that is promoting Ford's F series through tie-ins to traditional media, at live event sponsorship and online sweeps.

As Ford Motor Company enters its 61st year of sponsorship of the FFA, Toby Keith will kick off the 82nd National FFA Convention on October 21st in Indianapolis, playing to more than 55,000 young people from FFA chapters across the country.

"Ford recognizes that education in agriculture is as important now as it has ever been and we are proud to continue our partnership with the FFA again in 2009," said Kevin Schebil of Ford Motor Company. "The addition of Toby Keith on behalf of Ford Trucks at this year's national FFA convention i...

JetBlue announced a one year sponsorship with University of Texas athletics runs through 2010, with options through 2012. The airline is not an official airline sponsor of any other collegiate sports departments and under the deal Continental Airlines will remain the charter carrier for UT's football team.

SpongeTech today announced a sponsorship with the U.S. Open/USTA that will provide the company premium courtside signage at Arthur Ashe Stadium and an on-site product kiosk on the grounds of the two-week event starting next week.

For this weekend's Nationwide race in Montreal, Kenny Wallace received sponsorship from $5,000 fans, $20 at a time. Wallace will race in the 'No. 28 Thank You Fans Chevrolet.'

The Wegmans LPGA announced today that Wegmans Food Markets has signed ...

SpongeTech continued its major push into sports sponsorship today with an announcement that the "the smarter sponge" will be featured prominently courtside at next week's U.S. Open.

Building upon existing Major League Baseball and National Football League partnerships, the US Open will provide SpongeTech new international sports appeal. The Company will receive premium courtside signage at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York and an on-site product kiosk on the grounds.

This deal continues to present SpongeTech as the newest major player in the sports sponsorship landscape.

"We look forward to a fantastic relationship with the USTA," stated Michael Metter, CEO of SpongeTech. "This partnership will allow us to reach an international fan base and market our product during this ...

DIRECTV and ESPN rolled out the red carpet, and two full hard courts, in Manhattan's Bryant Park earlier today for the DIRECTV U.S. Open Experience, which included a free tennis exhibition, USTA clinic featuring some of the biggest names in the sport and the chance to compete against star James Blake. Other stars attending included Venus and Serena Williams; tennis legend John McEnroe; former pros - turned TV commentators the Jensen brothers; the World's current No. 1 Men's doubles team the Bryan brothers and James Blake.

This certainly isn't the first time tennis' programming partners and sponsors have used experiential events outside of the USTA tennis center to get the event top of mind - and provide a unique showcase for its partners. Back in June, HSBC and Prince Tennis p...

SponsorPitch caught up with former tennis star, TV commentator and college coach, Luke Jensen, earlier today. Jensen tells SponsorPitch how players and tournaments can build their brand to make it more attractive to sponsorship marketers. Some great advice towards the end on how to "pitch" your opportunity and yourself as a brand.
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With the 2009 LPGA Navistar Classic right around the corner, the tournament this morning announced that Monaco RV will be the presenting sponsor at this year's tournament held in late September in Prattville, Alabama. Okay, not a big deal right? Except for the fact that Navistar owns Monaco RV, a manufacturer of motorized and towable recreational vehicles.

So what would make a title sponsor, who presumably given the pressure that the LPGA is under to sign titles these days, would have all of the benefits under the sun (and certainly pass-thru's to sub brands) sign a presenting sponsorship for one of its subsidiaries? LPGA presenting sponsorships don't come cheap and aren't generally a "throw-in." So was there an entirely incremental spend, steep discount or perhaps a gesture of...

Del Taco has extended its sponsorship with the Arizona Cardinals Football Club for a second year in a row, making Del Taco the team's official QSR.

BSkyB has signed on to be a founding partner at London's O2 arena for £3m per year.

Payless Shoe Source will be the exclusive sponsor of the Official Ride of Fashion's Night Out.

The Buffalo Bills have signed a sponsorship deal with Power Trip Beverages to make it the official energy drink sold at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
The Green Bay Packers and Verizon Wireless have extended Verizon's sponsorship through the 2013 season.

Pernod Ricard USA's Absolut vodka will sponsor a series of charity music concerts at Madison Square Garden to honor September 11th victims.

National Bank Group renewed their partnership with the International...

Who says signage can't sell? Not SpongeTech, the smarter sponge. In fact, you can't go to an MLB ballpark without seeing SpongeTech somewhere these days. In case you haven't seen our daily Deal Flow section, SpongeTech is making sports sponsorship a centerpiece to the firm's new marketing strategy. And people, a lot of people, like Keith Hernandez are taking notice.

At current tally, SpongeTech has signage presence in 28 of 30 MLB ballparks, deals with at least 6 NFL teams and 2 NHL teams, and various other partnerships including Mike Ashley Racing and the National Hot Rod Association, World Football Challenge, and the Nautica NYC Triathlon.

SpongeTech also has licensing agreements with Nickelodeon and Viacom to market SpongeBob Square Pants soap filled bath sponges.

T...