Japan's Sony Corporation has signed a global partnership with football's world governing body, FIFA. It will give the Tokyo-based electronics, entertainment and technology group various rights as an official sponsor of more than 40 FIFA events.
The seven-year contract beginning in 2007 is worth $305 million and will give Sony advertising and marketing activities at international football events, including the flagship FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2014. This is FIFA's largest ever commercial sponsorship deal.
Sony is the third company after Adidas and Hyundai to join FIFA's new class of sponsorship that combines the highest level of affiliation to FIFA with a long-term commitment through to 2014.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he is "very proud" to have Sony as a partner.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
