LAKE PLACID, N.Y.— USA Luge today announced a new sponsorship with tractor manufacturer Massey Ferguson and Massey Ferguson dealer, Eklund Farm Machinery. The agreement names Massey Ferguson as the official tractor of USA Luge and is the first tractor sponsorship of its kind in Olympic sport.
The sponsorship, which will extend past the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy, includes most of the Luge Challenge events hosted at ski areas in the winter months. The agreement also provides Massey Ferguson and Eklund Farm Machinery with hospitality at domestic World Cup events, spots in the USA Luge Fantasy Camp each spring, Massey Ferguson/Eklund Farm Machinery branding on team apparel and other benefits.
“It is an honor to have Massey Ferguson and Eklund Farm Machinery join the USA Luge team,” said Gordy Sheer, 1998 Olympic silver medalist and director, marketing and sponsorship, USA Luge. “We look forward to building value and the sense of family that comes with a USA Luge sponsorship. As our athletes do not receive federal funding, their support means the world to us.”
In 2022, Eklund Farm Machinery was instrumental in supporting USA Luge with a raffle of a Massey Ferguson GC1725 tractor, which was donated to the team.
The relationship with Eklund Farm Machinery began with Patrick Del Rosario, who is a long-time friend of USA Luge and serves as DJ of the Luge Challenge events. “Through Pat’s relationship with Billy (Eklund) we were able to make a connection with Massey Ferguson, their parent company, AGCO, and USA Luge,” added Sheer.
“After talking with Pat and Gordy, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to support our luge athletes as we head toward the 2026 Winter Games,” said Billy Eklund, owner, Eklund Farm Machinery. “We are very excited to sponsor the U.S. men and women’s luge teams and for what is to come.”
The 2023-2024 World Cup season will kick-off in the United States December 8-10 in Lake Placid. More info here!
For more information on the Fastest Sport on Ice®, log on to www.usaluge.org