Herbalife Ltd. /quotes/comstock/13*!hlf/quotes/nls/hlf (HLF 55.18, -0.30, -0.54%) announced three sponsorship agreements to extend its branding efforts around the world. The company became an official sponsor of top Israeli football team, Maccabi Haifa FC. As Official Sponsor for Sports Nutrition, Herbalife will work with the team's doctors to provide nutritional advice and products to the team as part of their overall training regime.
The two-year deal will see the Herbalife logo appear on all Maccabi Haifa match and training kit shorts. In addition, the Herbalife brand will be showcased in the Kiryat Eliezer, Maccabi Haifa's home stadium, and in the team's training facilities; as well as through Maccabi Haifa's official media channels and on the team bus.
The company signed India's MC Mary Kom, the four-time world boxing champion and ambassador for the International Boxing Association, as a sponsored athlete for its nutritional range of products. Kom is the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award, which are given to those who excel in their field. She is also recognized as one of India's foremost medal hopes at the 2012 London Olympics. Her training and preparation for the Olympics is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a not-for-profit foundation set up with the mission of winning Olympic gold medals for the country. The OGQ was started by Indian sports legends Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone.
In addition to Kom in India, Herbalife renewed its agreement with badminton pro Saina Nehwal, The Badminton World Federation recently ranked Nehwal number 3 in the world after she clinched the winning titles back to back at the India Open Grand Prix, the Singapore Open Super Series and the Indonesia Open Super Series. Nehwal has been associated with Herbalife since 2009.
Along with its independent distributors, Herbalife sponsors 150 athletes, fitness and sporting events around the world including FC Barcelona, LA Galaxy.
