Bookmakers Favor Schumacher

Michael Schumacher has been backed by bookmakers to make a winning return to Formula One.

Coral bookmaker saw money for the seven-times world champion to replace the injured Felipe Massa and cut the price to 4-1 (from 5-1), they have also trimmed the price about him winning a race and starting on pole.

Coral spokesman Gary Burton states: “Almost immediately after Massa’s unfortunate accident, all the talk was of a replacement at Ferrari, and the only name punters wanted was Schuey. Punters obviously feel the big man still has the skill needed.”

Carling Signs Sponsorship Deal With Irish Premiership

Beer company Carling has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the IFA. Carling will bring in £80,000 each year, making it the biggest financial investment in Irish Premiership history.

“Carling is a brand with a fantastic football pedigree and one that’s done so much for the sport,” said IFA president Raymond Kennedy.

He added: “We are confident that the brand will be more than just a title sponsor and we welcome their input and assistance in helping us to develop not only the Premiership but football in Northern Ireland.

The Irish FA required a new sponsor after JJB Sports made a decision not to prolong its one-year deal. Nevertheless, JJB Sports will remain as Irish Cup sponsors for another two seasons.

Ladbrokes will continue to sponsor the Irish League Championship.

Bwin To Continue Sponsoring MotoGP

MotoGP motorcycle race series will be sponsored by Bwin until the end of the 2010 season.

Bwin has been a partner of MotoGP since 2004. Bwin will continue to be title sponsor of the MotoGP events in Spain (at Jerez) and Portugal (Estoril), and also have a presence at the Grands Prix at Misano (Italy) and Brno (Czech Republic).

Under the deal, the Bwin logo and branding will be present on banners around the tracks, in the pit lane, at the start line, on the podium, in press conference areas, and on television interview backdrops.

Sportingbet Leaves Italy

Sportingbet has sold its Italian operation to the local management team since expected regulatory changes never materialised and a lack of operational synergy with the group has meant its Italian venture has been loss making since acquisition.

The disposal of Sportingbet’s Italian business is likely to cost £7.1m.

Sportingbet Italia was acquired in May 2006 in anticipation of further liberalisation of online gaming regulation in Italy such as an increase of the maximum payout from €10,000 and being able to offer in-running markets to Italian customers.

These measures never happened as the Italian government instead offered 13,500 land-based licences. This meant further offline outlets for Italian punters to bet at, which requiring operators use specific software for the Italian market and meant Sportingbet Italia has been loss making since acquisition.

Amounts wagered at Sportingbet Italia in the first 11 months of its current financial year were £13.7m with £2m in net gaming revenue, generating an operational loss of approximately £1.5m.

Sportingbet will announce its full year results on 31 July and said it was still confident of reaching full year forecasts of £29m in operating profits.

32Red To Sponsor Swansea City

32Red has announced a two-year sponsorship deal with Championship football club Swansea City.

The six-figure sponsorship deal is the largest in the Welsh team’s 97-year history and will see the 32Red.com logo feature on the front of the side’s home and away shirts.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Swansea City, one of the most exciting clubs in the Championship,” said Ed Ware, Chief Executive Officer for 32Red.

“Swansea has become a highly progressive team over recent seasons and we are looking forward to an exciting time as the club’s main sponsor.”

In addition, the deal will see the soccer team share revenues drawn from 32Red’s online casino, poker and betting services, something that could help new manager Paulo Sousa build a team capable of winning promotion this time around.

“32Red is a modern company with a global reach, has proactive ideas and will help us spread the Swans’ message to the international stage. We are really excited about working with them and I’m sure we will make a great team,” said Leigh Dineen, Vice-Chairman for Swansea City.