Sports
Is India next for Allianz to make a naming rights splash?
Allianz recently secured naming rights to English rugby’s iconic Twickenham Stadium. (Credit: Allianz) Allianz is recognized as a leading insurance and asset management company globally. It serves over 125 million clients across more than 70 countries, illustrating its extensive reach and influence in the insurance sector. The company is deeply engaged with several sports entities […]


Allianz is recognized as a leading insurance and asset management company globally. It serves over 125 million clients across more than 70 countries, illustrating its extensive reach and influence in the insurance sector.
The company is deeply engaged with several sports entities across diverse disciplines, including multi-sport games, soccer, and motorsport. Allianz views sports sponsorship as an effective marketing tool that resonates with both existing and potential customers, fostering positive brand perceptions and strengthening brand preference.
According to GlobalData, Allianz is currently involved in 42 separate agreements worth $142.1 million per year. A core element of Allianz’s sponsorship strategy is securing naming rights to prominent sports stadiums across various continents, including Europe, North America, South and Central America, and Oceania.
These naming rights agreements signify the brand’s approach to achieving global reach with local impact, aiming to bolster brand presence in specific markets and forge stronger connections with local communities. To date, Asia has not been a priority market for the brand for sports sponsorship.
The most recent naming rights agreement the company has secured is a multi-year deal in England with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), reportedly worth £10 million annually, which is equivalent to $12.8 million annually based on GlobalData’s conversion methodology.
This agreement designates Allianz as title sponsor of the RFU’s Twickenham home, which has now been renamed Allianz Stadium Twickenham. Allianz appears to have come to the aid of the RFU, which reported unprecedented losses of £37.9 million for the 12 months ending in June 2024.
Allianz continues to seek expansion in various territories, including Asia. The company’s asset management division, AllianzGI, received approval in 2019 from the China Securities Regulatory Commission to operate as a foreign-owned public fund management company in mainland China. This move is significant for Allianz, as it allows the company to tap into one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world, enhancing its asset management services in Asia.
India is another target for Allianz as a growth market, despite the company selling to the Bajaj Group its 26% stake in non-life and life insurance joint ventures with Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company. Allianz has stated that it still plans to explore new opportunities to strengthen its position in the insurance sector across India, both as an investor and an operator.
Looking at India’s insurance sector, the country is expected to have the third-largest economy globally by the end of the decade. This impressive economic growth will generate rising disposable incomes, with many Indian citizens seeking to increase their financial and risk awareness, which will boost insurance demand nationwide.
The Indian insurance sector, particularly the general insurance industry, is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years.
According to GlobalData, the general insurance industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%, increasing from INR 3.35 trillion (approximately $40.36 billion) in 2024 to INR 4.89 trillion (around $57.3 billion) by 2028, based on gross written premiums (GWP).
In the next five years, India is expected to develop at the fastest rate among the Group of 20 (G20) nations.
A significant way for Allianz to enhance its brand visibility in India would be to secure a naming rights agreement with one of the nation’s most popular cricket stadiums.
With cricket often described as a religion in India, associating the Allianz brand with one of the country’s most renowned stadiums could be a crucial way to engage with their target audience. Over 600 million people in India watch cricket, representing a substantial portion of the nation’s total sports audience.
The commercial value of cricket in India, particularly through the IPL, is not only significant but also poised for further growth.
The combination of high match valuations, with the per-game value of domestic TV rights reaching approximately $13.78 million for matches between 2023 and 2027, extensive sponsorship deals, and the potential for further growth of the women’s IPL competition contributes to a thriving cricket economy. This underscores the potential benefits for Allianz in being associated with Indian cricket.
Since 2016, GlobalData estimates that the largest annual deal involving an insurance company and an Indian sports property is the active agreement between SBI Life Insurance and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), worth an estimated $5 million per year. The Indian life insurance company based in Mumbai serves as the official partner of the BCCI for both domestic and international home cricket.
GlobalData reports that Allianz’s 42 current sponsorship deals worldwide are spread across 11 different sports. However, the brand is not currently investing in any cricket-related sports properties. Nevertheless, the company has a history of investing in sponsorship opportunities in the sport.
If Allianz aims to expand its naming rights sponsorship portfolio, India would be an intriguing location, given the nation’s financial forecasts and the size of the customer base that Allianz could target. This move would be significant for Allianz, as it would mark the company’s first major venue naming rights deal in Asia.
Sports
Wolverines Strong at USATF U20 Championships
EUGENE, Ore. — Six members of the University of Michigan track and field team represented the Maize and Blue at the USATF U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on June 19-20, with three bringing home medals. Abigail Russell earned a pair of medals, winning the shot put with a mark of 16.07m (52-8.75) […]

EUGENE, Ore. — Six members of the University of Michigan track and field team represented the Maize and Blue at the USATF U20 Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on June 19-20, with three bringing home medals.
Abigail Russell earned a pair of medals, winning the shot put with a mark of 16.07m (52-8.75) and finishing third in the discus throw at 52.92m (173-7). Her discus mark came just 0.22m shy of her personal best.
In the 1,500-meter run, Brendan Herger captured gold with a time of 3:48.77. The rising sophomore sat in third after the first lap before falling to fourth at the halfway point. Herger surged ahead three places to take the lead entering the final lap, holding his position and finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the runner-up.
The final Wolverine to earn hardware was Coraline Haggarty, who finished third in the 800-meter run with a personal-best time of 2:08.06. Payton Smith narrowly missed a top-three finish in the 400-meter dash final, placing fourth at 53.17, just 0.01 seconds behind the third-place finisher.
Neil Howard finished sixth in the 400-meter hurdle final (52.42), while Kourtney Rathke placed 11th in the pole vault at 3.85m (12-7.5).
Sports
Eight Student-Athletes Named To NEWMAC All-Sportsmanship Teams
Story Links Springfield, Mass. – June 23, 2025 – Eight Springfield College student-athletes were recognized by the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), as they were named to the conference’s All-Sportsmanship Team. The All-Sportsmanship award is intended to recognize one student-athlete from each team, in every sport that best demonstrates the ideals of […]

Springfield, Mass. – June 23, 2025 – Eight Springfield College student-athletes were recognized by the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), as they were named to the conference’s All-Sportsmanship Team.
The All-Sportsmanship award is intended to recognize one student-athlete from each team, in every sport that best demonstrates the ideals of the NEWMAC and its Code of Conduct, regardless of his/her overall performance or statistics for the season.
Below are the recipients from each program:
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.
Sports
Young named Summit League Men’s Field Athlete of the Year
Story Links SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After claiming a Summit League title and making the NCAA Championships in his final season as a Coyote, Tre Young was named the Summit League Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. Young, a senior from Toledo, […]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After claiming a Summit League title and making the NCAA Championships in his final season as a Coyote, Tre Young was named the Summit League Men’s Field Athlete of the Year, announced by the conference office Monday afternoon.
Young, a senior from Toledo, Ohio, finished his season, and career, strong by winning the Summit League pole vault crown with a personal best 18-0 ½ (5.50m) and making the NCAA Championships to earn honorable mention all-America honors.
At the NCAA West First Round in College Station, Texas, Young went over 17-5 ½ (5.32m) to advance to the NCAA Championships, where he cleared 17-5 ¾ (5.33m) to place 18th. It was Young’s fourth trip to the NCAA West First Round and his first trip to the NCAA Championships in Eugene.
As the season went along, Young continued to improve his season and personal best. He won the Mt. SAC Relays in California with a best of 17-9 (5.41m), only to beat that mark with a clearance of 17-10 ½ (5.45m) at the USD Tune Up to claim that title as well. He was the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week following his title at the Mt. SAC Relays. He cleared 17-0 in all but one meet once the calendar turned to April, including clearing 17-5 or better six times.
Young joins fellow pole vaulters Chris Nilsen (2017, 2018, 2019), Eerik Haamer (2022), and Marshall Faurot (2024) and thrower Cody Snyder (2015) in winning the Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year as a Coyote. USD has won the honor seven times in the last 10 seasons (no award in 2020 due to COVID-19).
Sports
Boston Selected as Newest Host of USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2025) – USA Volleyball, in partnership with the New England Region Volleyball Association (NERVA), is proud to announce the elevation of the Boston Volleyball Festival to official USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier (JNQ) status beginning in the 2025-26 season. This designation marks a major milestone for volleyball in the Northeast […]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 23, 2025) – USA Volleyball, in partnership with the New England Region Volleyball Association (NERVA), is proud to announce the elevation of the Boston Volleyball Festival to official USA Volleyball Junior National Qualifier (JNQ) status beginning in the 2025-26 season.
This designation marks a major milestone for volleyball in the Northeast and will position Boston as a premier destination for national-level competition. For the first time, the Boston Volleyball Festival will offer national bid opportunities for both boys and girls across all age divisions, further expanding access to USA Volleyball’s championship pathway.
“Boston has long been a stronghold for junior volleyball, and we’re excited to formally recognize the Boston Volleyball Festival as an official Junior National Qualifier,” said Steve Bishop, USA Volleyball’s chief operating officer. “This upgrade is a testament to NERVA’s outstanding event operations and the growing demand for high-level competition in the Northeast. Together, we’re expanding access to national bid pathways and reinforcing our commitment to supporting athletes across the country.”
The 2026 NIKE Boston National Qualifier series will take place over three weekends at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
- February 27-March 1, 2026 – NIKE Boston National Qualifier #1
- March 6-8, 2026 – NIKE Boston National Qualifier #2
- April 3-5, 2026 – NIKE Boston National Qualifier #3
The event will be co-branded with USA Volleyball and integrated into USAV’s official event calendar, registration systems, and rankings infrastructure. Teams competing in bid divisions will have the opportunity to earn invitations to USA Volleyball’s prestigious national championship events.
“NERVA is honored to partner with USA Volleyball in this exciting next chapter for the Boston Volleyball Festival,” said Dave Peixoto, NERVA commissioner. “Our teams, families and coaches have helped grow this event into one of the largest in the country, and this designation further elevates the experience for everyone involved. We look forward to welcoming teams from across the nation to Boston for a world-class competition.”
Sports
Coach Carrasco Announces 2025 Men’s Water Polo Schedule
Story Links LOS ANGELES – The 2025 LMU Men’s Water Polo schedule is set for first-year head coach David Carasco’s Lions. The season will begin with two games in Irvine on Aug. 29, as LMU will take on UCI in the morning and stay to face Cal State Fullerton in […]

LOS ANGELES – The 2025 LMU Men’s Water Polo schedule is set for first-year head coach David Carasco’s Lions.
The season will begin with two games in Irvine on Aug. 29, as LMU will take on UCI in the morning and stay to face Cal State Fullerton in the afternoon.
The home opener will be played on Aug. 30 as LMU hosts Stanford, semi-finalists in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
On Sept. 13, both Brown and UCSB will travel to Burns Aquatics Center to play two games apiece.
Following a weekend trip to the MPSF Tournament and an away contest at UCSD, the Lions will return home to face defending National Champions, UCLA, to close out September.
West Coast Conference play begins on the road against San Jose State on Oct. 3. LMU will remain in San Jose the following day to play games against both UCSB and UC Davis.
The Lions will then play home conference games against Air Force on Oct. 17 and Pacific on Oct. 19.
The following week, LMU will travel to Santa Clara to play a WCC contest against the Broncos before participating in the Julian Fraser Tournament.
Four of LMU’s final six games will be played in their home pool. The Lions will play CBU in the final conference home game on Oct. 30 and host Concordia two days later to open November.
Following the WCC finale in Malibu against Pepperdine, the Lions will host UC San Diego for a rematch against the Tritons from earlier in the season.
The final weekend of the regular season will feature a night game against Long Beach State played at Long Beach Community College, before hosting UC Irvine in the final home game on Nov. 15.
The 2025 WCC Championship will be hosted by Air Force. The three games in Colorado Springs, Colo., will be played from Nov. 22-23, 2025.
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Fans interested in making a contribution to the Lions Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will help provide a transformational student-athlete experience athletically, academically, and culturally for every LMU student-athlete. We appreciate your continued support of LMU Athletics.
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For complete coverage of Loyola Marymount University athletics, visit LMULions.com. We encourage you to follow along with all the action on social media as well. Follow along by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.
Sports
PENN Entertainment Publishes 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report
WYOMISSING, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– PENN Entertainment, Inc., (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) North America’s leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content and casino gaming experiences, published today its 2024 Corporate Responsibility report. The full report is available on the Corporate Responsibility page of the Company’s website. The 2024 Report details PENN’s longstanding commitment to supporting […]

WYOMISSING, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
PENN Entertainment, Inc., (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) North America’s leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content and casino gaming experiences, published today its 2024 Corporate Responsibility report. The full report is available on the Corporate Responsibility page of the Company’s website.
The 2024 Report details PENN’s longstanding commitment to supporting its team members and neighbors, practicing good corporate citizenship, and ensuring responsible stewardship of the planet’s natural resources. These programs and initiatives comprise The PENN Way, which is reflective of the Company’s core values and the unique culture at PENN.
Key highlights of PENN’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report Include:
- PENN Entertainment, through its Corporate office, retail casinos and Interactive businesses in Canada and Gibraltar, donated approximately $9 million in support of local charities and Veterans-focused organizations, and generated more than $16 million in economic development grants.
- PENN team members volunteered over 11,000 hours to help those in need.
- Awarded over $4.2 million in need-based scholarships to the children of our team members since the inception of our PENN Scholarship Fund, 58% of whom are first generation college students, and 61% of whom are female. In 2024, we recognized 44 graduates from the first year of our program.
- With an ongoing focus on sustainability, we set an abatement goal of a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and we expanded our climate-related disclosures, including filing with three of the major reporting frameworks for the first time.
Jay Snowden, CEO and President of PENN Entertainment commented: “I am thankful for the tireless efforts of our Board’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our internal Corporate Responsibility committee, and all of our Corporate, property and Interactive leadership teams for championing The PENN Way. Providing support to causes that are most important to our team members, customers, and key stakeholders is core to who we are, and I’m incredibly proud of all the work being done across PENN to carry forth these initiatives.”
About PENN Entertainment, Inc.
PENN Entertainment, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“PENN,” or the “Company”), is North America’s leading provider of integrated entertainment, sports content, and casino gaming experiences. PENN operates in 28 jurisdictions throughout North America, with a broadly diversified portfolio of casinos, racetracks, and online sports betting and iCasino offerings under well-recognized brands including Hollywood Casino®, L’Auberge®, ESPN BET™, and theScore BET Sportsbook and Casino®. PENN’s ability to leverage its partnership with ESPN, the “worldwide leader in sports,” and its ownership of theScore™, the top digital sports media brand in Canada, is central to the Company’s highly differentiated strategy to expand its footprint and efficiently grow its customer ecosystem. PENN’s focus on organic cross-sell opportunities is reinforced by its market-leading retail casinos, sports media assets, and technology, including a proprietary state-of-the-art, fully integrated digital sports and iCasino betting platform, and an in-house iCasino content studio (PENN Game Studios). The Company’s portfolio is further bolstered by its industry-leading PENN Play™ customer loyalty program, offering its over 32 million members a unique set of rewards and experiences.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250623571696/en/
Eric Schippers
Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Government Relations
PENN Entertainment
610-373-2400
Joseph N. Jaffoni
JCIR
212-835-8500 or penn@jcir.com
Source: PENN Entertainment, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
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