Boxing Brings On Partner to Grow Sport -- Sponsor Spotlight

(ATR) Alibaba Sports will help the International Boxing Association develop boxing in emerging countries.

The international federation signed a memorandum of understand with the e-commerce company’s sports division to promote the all of the federation’s competitions and in new emerging markets.

"We are very proud to partner with Alisports, their proven track record and ambitions will enable AIBA to make a giant step forward in terms of digital based activities for our sport," CK Wu, AIBA President, said in a statement.

"We aim to build on their domestic successes and study a worldwide roll out of their capacities for the benefit of our National Federation members."

AIBA hopes to use the partnership to encourage participation in sports and to grow competitions such as World Series of Boxing.

IAAF Seeks to Cut Ties with Adidas

Adidas is reportedly ending its IAAF sponsorship four years early in the wake of the Russian doping scandal.

The BBC reported that the German sportswear company, the IAAF’s leading sponsor, last week told the federation it was terminating the 11-year agreement – worth an estimated $33 million – that was due to expire in 2019.The IAAF and its commercial partner Dentsu stand to lose around $30 million in revenue, including cash and other services, from Adidas’ severing its ties.

Neither the IAAF or Adidas confirmed the split, with negotiations reported to be taking place.

"The IAAF is in close contact with all its sponsors and partners as we embark on our reform process," a statement from athletics’ governing body said.

Adidas, one of the IAAF’s seven top partners, also commented: "Adidas has a clear anti-doping policy in place. Therefore, we are in close contact with the IAAF to learn more about their reform process."

Dentsu issued a statement through executive officer Kiyoshi Nakamura. "We have full confidence in the new leadership of the IAAF and the reform process being led by current IAAF president Sebastian Coe," he said.

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Panasonic Chief Joins Tokyo 2020

The head of Panasonic Corporation is one of two new vice presidents to join the Tokyo Olympic organizing committee.

Kazuhiro Tsuga said Monday he was "delighted and deeply honored" to be appointed to the post. "Leveraging the knowledge and experience I have accumulated throughout my career, I am looking forward to contributing first-hand to the delivery and celebrating the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games," he said.

Panasonic has been an IOC TOP sponsor since the global sponsorship program began in 1985. In February 2014, it became the first top-tier sponsor to sign through 2024.

Tsutomu Tomioka, state minister of the Cabinet Office in charge of the Tokyo Olympics, was named the other vice president and said he was "acutely aware of the great responsibility that the position brings".

"I am determined to exert my utmost efforts to forging even closer relations between the organising committee, the national government and all related parties, and to ensuring flawless preparations towards the successful delivery of the Tokyo 2020 Games," he said.

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Visa Adds Executive

Lynne Biggar will serve as chief marketing and communications officer for Visa.

The TOP sponsor will make the hiring official on Feb. 1, where she will manage the company’s brand and communication strategies..

"Lynne’s extensive global marketing and product experience will be a great complement to our talented marketing and communications team," Charlie Scharf, CEO of Visa, said in a statement.

Biggar worked Time as a Vice President, Consumer Marketing & Revenue, before moving to Visa.

Written by Aaron Bauer in Rio de Janeiro

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