"You Didn't Think He Was Going to Endorse Subaru Did You?" by Sarah Zdesar

Eventhough this article is small, it is a topic that I am extemely interested...what's in a name? For Buccaneers rookie running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams, it's an endorsement by General Motors' Cadillac brand. With a name (or nickname)like that AND the fact that he has ran for more yards in his first three games than any other NFL rookie before him, he now is the proud owner of a silver Cadillac XLR convertible, which goes quite nicely with his black Cadillac Escalade. Cadillac was extremely happy to find out that not only are they going to endorse Williams, but he has already put some of his own money back into the company by purchasing the Escalade on his own. I'm sure that didn't sway their decision at all of wanting Williams as their endorser, but it sure did look good on paper.
When I first talked about what's in a name, this is what I am talking about, how far or how much can your name get you? It seems more and more people are naming their kids off the wall names with the high hopes that some day their child will make it in show business, the NFL, the WNBA, etc. Names like Major Applewhite, Lebron "King" James, Paris Hilton, etc. The list goes on. So the next time you have the opportunity to name or even give a "nickname" to someone, you should take into consideration that they might possibly make millions from taht very clever name!!!

“NHL players mount challenge to union” Vol 8 (24) p.4 by Darrin Schwarz

Keeping with the labor relations theme, Robert Lanaz is representing more than 50 NHL players who are protesting the way Saskin got the top NHLPA job. This group says the vote being taken now violates the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, because the dissidents have been denied the right to communicate their message with the voting members. Lanza and the players have filed an unfair labor practices charge against the NHLPA with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the current operation of the union “ results in favoritism for certain members” and that the union “has ignored all requests for information” from members. So, the dissident group plans to launch a players-only Web site to get its message out. Another vote was conducted on September 12, but as of last week there was still no news on the result. The reasons for the delay are unclear but some teams are withholding their vote for now. The Detroit Red Wings are also withholding their ballots claiming, ‘We still have not voted and we are not going to vote until Ted Saskin starts releasing information’. They don’t plan on voting on something that the players have no voice in and the team says the union is not permitting the players to communicate with each other. There are now about 100 players out of a total 700 who support the dissident group.
Most problems in labor relations originate from poor communication or lack-there-of. This disagreement started with poor communication and organization from both the NHLPA and the players, and it seems it will continue until both sides convene and reach a voting process and outcome that can appease the players as well as the dissident group.

National Lacrosse League signs Reebok to 5-year deal. v8, issue 24, p 4 by Abblie Hoover

Vol. 8, issue 24, pg4. By Abbie Hoover

The indoor national lacrosse league has been around since 1987; that’s 18 years and yet it is unheard of. Just recently the NLL signed its biggest sponsorship ever with Reebok. Now the NLL joins the NFL, NHL and NBA with Reebok agreements. With this endorsement, all NLL players will wear Reebok branded gear from head to foot.
I think this is a good move for the NLL, but if they want their sport to become more popular they need to do more. They are also working on TV plans to get games aired on tv; currently the All-Star Game and title game were aired on NBC sports. While signing with Reebok may help the NLL, it is a better deal for Reebok advertising. Reebok is not a well known lacrosse brand. I think if the NLL wants to become a more popular lacrosse league they should really go for a sponsorship with a well established lacrosse equipment/apparel company.

“How media training pays for athletes”Vol.8 Issue 26 page 20 by Kelly Brinker-Schaeffer

This article’s main focus was to point out that effective communication skills should be learned early and can boost the overall earning power off the field. Well-spoken, accessible athletes project a positive image through the press that’s very attractive to sponsors. The sponsorships will then allow the athletes to have a career past their professional one. Also, athletes who attend regular interviews polish their skills and help themselves in second careers of broadcasting and business. The article mentions Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Eddie Murray who avoided the media as players and neither of them have high profile careers as some of their peers. One the other hand Ben Rothlisberger, worked on his communication skills while he was still a student in Miami, he was able to effectively communicate to NFL teams before the 2004 draft and has become a successful corporate spokesman.
I feel that communication skills are very important no matter what profession you are in or what your ultimate goal in life is to achieve. The better you can express yourself the more exposure you will have and the more people you will have believing in you and what you can do.

National Lacrosse League signs Reebok to 5 year dealvolume 8 issue 24 page 4 by Brent Baird

The National Lacrosse League is considered a low tier professional sport, but may have just taken a step to raising itself a notch or two. The NLL has signed major sporting manufacture Reebok to a 5 year deal that is thought to be in the eight figure range. This is a big step for a league that sponsorships range in the six figures. How ever this deal may be worth more than just the money.

The deal will provide equipment and clothing to the league and marketing services. This will include the selling of team apparel and jerseys that will give the league exposure that it has not previously had. This will put them into a new category that may help them gain other major sponsors.

Reebok will also get access to may lacrosse fan for their new line of merchandise in the sport of lacrosse. Lacrosse is a growing sport and to get in and be one of the first major sponsors will most likely prove very beneficial to the company. It will also give them a leg up as the league expands and grows and get more media attention.

I believe this was a good move for lacrosse and Reebok. The league gets some needed endorsement through the sponsorship and Reebok gets a foot in the door with a growing league before any competitors.

You didn’t think he was going to endorse Subaru, did you? Vol 8 Issue 24, pg. 12 – by Sarah Galiotto

He ‘runs smooth, like a Cadillac,’ an announcer said of Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, now Buccaneers running back, when he was in high school and the name stuck. He had it through college and now the NFL. So when thinking of it, why wouldn’t “Cadillac” be endorsed by General Motors’ Cadillac in the Tampa Bay area? As the title states, duh, he’s not going to go for Subaru or any other brand. Bu the truth of the matter is that Williams had a caddy (a black Cadillac Escalade) before he was signed to this deal and was then given another silver Cadillac XLR convertible
The way that I see it is that both Williams and General Motors’ Cadillac are getting a sweet deal out of this partnership. Williams gained a convertible, cash out of the deal, and a Cadillac bike from an official licensed product of Cadillac cars called Cadillac Bicycles. General Motors’ is getting endorsement from the “Cadillac” of the NFL who happened to run for more yards in his first three games than any other rookie NFL running back before him. They make a nice pair.

New Xbox 360 console to hit market (Vol 8, Iss 24, pg 7) by Alicia Detweiler

On November 22nd, Microsoft will launch their next-generation video game system - the Xbox 360. Sports games are a large sector of video game sales and are always a steady source of revenue for game makers. New titles in each series come out every year and many fans spend anywhere from $20-50 just to own the lastest title in their favorite sport franchise.

Not only are sports video games a huge source of revenue, they also provide revenue for leagues, teams, and players' associations through licensing and likeness rights. Just a few months ago EA signed an exclusive rights deal with the NFL to be the only video game company to publish an NFL licensed football game. Take-Two (maker of popular 2k Sports titles) followed suit by signing a similar long-term agreement with Major League Baseball.

You didn’t think he was going to endorse Subaru, did you? V8, issue 24, by Dave Andrews

Tampa Bay Buccaneer rookie running back Carnell “Cadillac” Williams recently signed a deal to endorse cars for General Motors’ Cadillac dealership in the Tampa Bay area. As of now, this deal is just regional but the potential of this rookie is the sky. Before his hamstring injury, Cadillac ran for more yards in his first three games than any other NFL rookie before him. The financial terms were not released, but he is sure to get cash out of the deal as well as a brand new Cadillac XLR convertible. This convertible will join the black Cadillac Escalade that Williams already owns.

John Orth, Cadillac marketing manager for the southeastern U.S. was very pleased with Cadillac’s decision to endorse Cadillac, but more importantly the fact that Williams is already a Cadillac owner. “He brought his first one, so he put his own money behind it.” This will help Cadillac’s new image of designing younger looking cars for younger demographics. Williams also possesses endorsement deals with Nike, Athlete Web Services, Famous Inc., and soon possibly a company called Cadillac Bicycles.

“Dallas arena changes club seats to party suites” Vol 8 (23) pg 5 by Heather Hileman

The American Airlines Center has created two party suites to accommodate large groups for the Stars and Mavericks games. The spaces could generate up to $500,000 a season in incremental revenue. The boxes sell for $8,000 a game for the Stars and $9,000 or $10, 500 for the Mavericks games, depending on the opponent. The prices include tickets, a choice of Sportservice food and beverage packages that are valued at $25 to $30 a person, and 15 parking passes. The seats will also be sold without the food and beverage package. The tickets alone sell for $85 for the Stars and for $100 for the Mavericks game. However, without the food attached, patrons would probably have to buy a minimum of 50 tickets. The boxes each have 47 permanent seats and a bar ledge with 10 bar stools, also with a number of amenities.
It is hard to say what the best way is to make money in the NHL. However, the NHL has to start somewhere. From the article, it has shown that there are patrons out there that will pay for these seats and tickets. The prices are expensive for the box seats; however, the majority of people who would purchase those seats are probably big business associates and managers. I think since the NHL season is just now coming back, those who are fans are going to continue to pay whatever price to see the game

"San Juan arena expects sellout for NBA game, has hopes of land an all-star game." 8(23) by Daniel Benjamin

The NBA expected a capacity (18,000 people) crowd for their October 14 preseason game in San Juan, Puerto Rico between the Miami Heat and the Memphis Grizzlies. Arena officials who produced the game hope this preseason game is a prelude to Puerto Rico getting a regular season game and an all-star game. However, Puerto Rico will not get an opportunity to host an all-star game until 2008 (the 2006 game was awarded to Houston and the 2007 to Las Vegas).

I have a few thoughts on this idea,first, from a business standpoint since the NBA's strategy is to expand their brand internationally I believe having a preseason game in Puerto Rico is a superb idea. The reason I like this idea is because the previous time (2003)the NBA played a preseason game in Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente Colliseum (9,000 capacity) sold out. In addition, Puerto Rico is a basketball fanatic country. I also like the idea of having an all-star game in Puerto Rico because what better way for the NBA to showcase their product on an international scene then during a weekend where all the "star" players will (most likely) be there. Besides I'm sure the players would love to be in warm weather in the middle of February.

I don't however, like the idea of having a regular season game being played outside the U.S. The main reason is that a regular season game means something (while the preseason and the all-star game are exhibition evnets/games) and since each team only gets 41 home games losing a date at home could theoretically cost a team a playoff spot. In addition, I believe the logistics of scheduling the event and travel for the teams would be difficult since sometimes NBA teams play on back-to-back nights (generally 3 or 4 games a week). The situation with the Montreal Expos (when they played in Puerto Rico in 2003 and 2004) was different because they knew they were going to play three to eight straight games there.

An “NFL World”, and they’re just living in itVol.8 Issue 23 by Kelly Brinker-Schaeffer

The NFL network is hoping to get rid of commercial clutter by creating its own NFL animated world that’s a combination of pro-football and the Jetson’s. The “NFL World” is a computer generated commercial that portrays the players in everyday scenery. An example of this computer generated commercial is one featuring Jerome Bettis driving a bus. “The ads will run on the league’s asset-media rotation and on the NFL network itself. The network now in 35 million homes hopes to produce four 30 second and several 15 second “NFL World” ads before the regular season ends.” I think that this is a great idea, I feel that the cartoon commercials will probably draw a lot of attention and will be very funny to watch.

An ‘NFL World,’ and they’re just living in it - Volume 8 Issue 23, pg. 3 by Sarah Galiotto

The NFL Network is creating a new ad campaign in which they are turning NFL stars into animated commercials. It will be an imaginary world of pro football in animation. The network plans to have four 30 second and several 15 second “NFL World” ads produced before the regular season is over.
Such stars as Jerome Bettis driving a bus, Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner driving a football-helmet car, and St. Luis Rams receiver Tony Holt catching a rolled up newspaper from Cincinatti Bengals QB Carson Palmer will be featured in the “NFL World.” At the end of the commercial it will have “NFL Total Access” regular Rich Eisen saying, “It’s an NFL World and we’re living in it.” They will run on the league’s asset-media rotation and on the NFL Network.
These animation commercial ads are unique and creative. It is different than using normal football footage and no other companies are providing an ad campaign like this. I feel that this will be an intriguing way of drawing in attention from fans to watch more of the ads and that network. I think that this is a clever idea that shows NFL football in a different, more light-hearted environment.

“Dallas arena changes club seats to party suites” [vol. 8 iss 23 pg. 5] by Katie Bell

In order to accommodate to the several requests of fans wanting a 50-60 seat suite, American Airlines Center in Dallas created two new party suites recently. They spent $300,000 to convert 97 club seats on the Platinum Club suite level into two party boxes. Each suite can hold up to 60 people and is available for nightly rentals. It costs $8,000 to rent during a Stars game and $9,000 or $10,500 for the Mavs depending on their opponent that night. Included with the deal is a choice of Sportservice food and beverage and 15 parking passes. There are 47 permanent seats in each box and stools at the bar. There is a 52-inch high-definition LCD television, auxiliary monitors, leather seats, and granite floors and countertops.

You are also able to purchase the seats without the food and beverage package. Tickets for the Stars will be $85 and $100 for the Mavs. Without this package though, fans will probably have to buy a minimum of 50 tickets.

Already they have sold both boxes for 25 sports events. Frank Hubach, the arena’s director of premium sales, said the spaces could generate as much as $500,000 a season in incremental revenue.

I think this was a smart move for American Airlines Center. There were many requests in the past for reservations for suites or seating up to 60 people. They have not been able to cater to this request until recently with their new suites. It is already a success and will continue to be in the future especially with all the benefits that come along with the package.

‘NBC, Fox bidding for World Cup: Unlike last time, SUM faces a fight’.Issue 23 (8), p1 & 32. By David Shemilt.

This article discusses the fight between NBC Universal, Fox Sports and ‘Soccer United Marketing’ (SUM), to see who will get the rights to show both the men’s 2010 and 2014 World Cup soccer tournaments, as well as two women’s World Cups.
Currently SUM, who will sub-license next years World Cup in Germany to ABC and ESPN, have the rights to this property. However, they face stiff competition, especially from NBC Universal who are making a joint bid and are cleverly channeling their efforts to market the product to the Spanish audience, which is sure to be greatly received and supported by the huge Hispanic soccer pockets throughout the country.
The World Cup of soccer is the second largest in the world behind the Olympics and the eventual victors of this package will have to pay out a cool $250 million. However, even the fact that there is now a fight to show soccer in the US is a sign of how much the game has grown in this country. Compared to the 1998 World Cup, where instead of a fight for the rights to show the World Cup games, rights actually had to be sold to the television companies themselves due to the unpopular appeal of soccer in the US at the time, there has been a phenomenal growth and marketable appeal to the game of soccer. Why? Well, first of all the success of the men’s National soccer team in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea saw a huge boost for soccer in the US. Success brings interest. Interest brings a marketable product, and this, in-turn, brings in the $. Along with this, the globalization of soccer has seen many European soccer stars and teams visit the US, either on pre-season tours or promotional visits that has consequently seen the MLS league grow and progressively develop both in terms of soccer and its marketable value. This can clearly be seen in the realms of the television networks, with, for example, Fox rebranding Fox Sports World as a soccer channel. The MLS is only in its first decade of existence and ranks poorly in terms of how it markets itself in comparison to the NFL and MLB. However, the growing popularity, especially amongst the American youth and minority groups in the country, should see soccer grow and grow and, as this article points out, with this growth sees the development of a potentially huge product with which sponsors and TV networks alike will want to be associated with and will therefore pour money into. Soccer certainly has the potential in the US to expand its product and commercial viability as shown by the fight of TV network’s big guns to show the next two World Cups. However, unless the MLS, the countries bread and butter in terms of making soccer more established and popular, starts to compete commercially and effectively with MLB and the NFL, then this apparent up serge in soccer as a marketable product will diminish just as quickly as it has risen. What do you think?

N.Y. Marathon sponsors pick up pace Volume 8, Issue 23 by Dave Andrews

Marketers supporting the New York Marathon are fighting for as much space as the runners do before they start the race. The race has twenty-nine sponsors in total which accounts for ten percent increase in sponsorship revenue. ING is once again the title sponsor, who recently renewed they contract through 2007. ING support will give the women’s winner a $130,000 price, which is the largest first place purse in the history of marathon racing.

Some new faces will be seen and heard all around the race, including Coors Light beer. Coors light beer signed a three-year sponsorship which replaced Saranac in the beer category sponsorships. Coors light will promote their brew with 400 on-site promotions in New York City and will add leverage with branded tap handles and commemorative cans. We all (speaking from a beer drinkers point of view) know that Coors Light tastes like water, but now they’re sponsoring a marathon and putting runners on their cans and/or tap handles, come on now!

Another new sponsor will be Duane Reade which is one of the many mass merchants posing as a drug store. They will feature 300,000 marathon guides featuring savings in their 250 New York City locations. Their circular will sponsor the slogan “Marathon of Savings” sale in 3.2 million store circulars.

Other sponsors include Henkel, Asics, Best Buy teaming with Road Runner high-speed internet, Tylenol, Nickelodeon and New York Apple which has more than 70 spots on WNBC-TV using Marathon footage.

“With Deal, NASCAR Has Chipmaker AMD Inside”Vol. 8 (23) p6 by Darrin Schwarz

NASCAR COO George Payne credits the addition of series sponsor Nextel as the impetus for opening the door to other tech companies, such as Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Becoming the official technology partner of NASCAR, AMD is committing $20 million over the next four years to improve competition and enhance the safety of participants. The company is attempting to pull in Intel, which has 85 percent of the microprocessor market share, compared with 9 percent for AMD. It seems AMD is expanding its presence in the sports world. Since 2003, the chipmaker has been partners with Lance Armstrong and his pro cycling team in the design of Trek bicycles. Results have been impressive with three Tours De France victories, demonstrating how AMD’s technology can be used as a source of competitive advantage. AMD has a plan for this multiyear agreement where the first year will focus on technology implementation in specific areas of NASCAR. Timing, R&D, and scoring have traditionally been handled in-house but NASCAR has finally acquired a technology specialist that can enhance these aspects. Now, NASCAR may possibly spend more time in other areas such as driver and team publicity or continuing to forget former sponsors such as Winston.

With Deal, NASCAR has chipmaker AMD inside.Volume 8 Issue 23 Page 6 by Brent Baird

Advanced Micro Devices is continuing its attempt to close the large gap between it market share of the microchip industry and that of it’s biggest competition, Intel, with an aggressive campaign using sports Marketing. AMD has announced a deal believed to be worth $20 million (over five years) to be the technology sponsor of NASCAR. AMD will use and continue it’s technology to work on the timing and scoring systems used by NASCAR. AMD will implement a mobile command unit to help facilitate the race results. It will also assist in the processing of data from races and studies to help with safety and other research projects that NASCAR has done on it own up till now.

This is not the first high profile sports marketing venture that AMD has taken on. It has worked with Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and his team on the new design of Trek Bicycles.

AMD will have to start sponsoring a particular team after one year as part of the overall agreement.

AMD has technologies parts like IBM and Hewlett-Packard, but it not up to the same level as Intel due to Intel’s partnership with Dell. AMD is hoping that this sponsorship will help generate new business opportunities that will help it steal some of share away from Intel. I think that AMD has made a bold move; NASCAR is still running a very popular wave in all aspects of the American culture. Business men to janitors all have become fans of the sport, so if you’re looking to make as big of a splash in the sport marketing world (and you can’t afford the NFL) NASCAR is definitely the way to go. IT should pay off for AMD with out a doubt.

Dallas arena changs club seats to party suites.Volume 8 Issue 23 Page 5 by Alicia Detweiler

Center Operating Co, jointly owned by Tom Hicks and Mark Cuban recently spent $300,000 converting nearly 100 club seats at American Airlines Center into two party suites. Prices for reserving the suites ranges from $8,000 to over $10,000 depending on the sport and opponent and that price includes tickets as well as a food and beverage package and 15 parking passes.

I think the party suites are a great idea and will probably attract businesses to the areanas. Often corporations will buy a block of season tickets and offer those seats to clients, customers, and employees. In Dallas however, they could reserve a party suite instead. With food and drink service included as well as the luxury ammeneties such as leather seats and plasma TVs, the party suites become even more attractive when entertaining clients and investors. I think it's a good move that should bring added revenues to all teams who utilize the American Airlines Center.

“Dallas Arena Changes Club Seats to Party Suites.” by Abbie Hoover

The American Airlines Center in Dallas has just recently created to large party suites that can accommodate large groups of people during sporting events. Tom Hicks, owner of the Stars and Mark Cuban owner of the Mavericks spent $300,000 dollars to create these luxurious suites that can hold up to 60 people, have permanent seating, a bar ledge and 52” LCD TVs. The cost of the suite can range from $8,000-$10,500 depending on which team is playing and who the opponent is. The price also includes food, drink and 15 parking passes.
Revenue from the suites could get as high as $500,000 a season. I think this was a smart move of the owners. If it works out as well as planned the first year alone would make back the $300,000 spent on the suites plus $200,000 profit. It was a great way to bring money to the teams and business, as well as provide a comfortable and luxurious place for those people who can afford it to watch a game.

"Danica-mania fuels big rise in IRL's ratings" vol.8 iss.23 pg.33 by Sarah Zdesar

All of NASCAR and some of its' fans may not completely like the idea of a girl racing, but they can not deny the fact that ever since the 23-year-old Danica Patrick "raced" onto the seen she has boosted ratings in a seious way. Along with the serious push that Patrick has given to the Indy Racing League's (IRL)television viewership, they have also tried to role with that success by condensing and reevaluating the schedule for 2006. Instead of their usual 33 weeks of racing with 17 reaces spread out in their, they have put 14 races into 25 weeks. By shortening the time in which these races are held, they have taken away alot of competition that often ensued when it came to the NFL and college football. With this shorten time of racing, I think it allows race fans to increase their love of racing, which in turn increase the ILR's ratings. I think with Patrick and the new schedule, and the fact that ILR is reaching out to more fans, increases the sport likeability and fondness from even people who weren't the biggest fans to begin with.

'Yankees skipper makes time for tea', Vol 8,(22), p8, by David Shemilt.

This article identifies ‘Bigelow’ tea’s new endorser, Joe Torre, the New York Yankees manager and apparently an avid tea drinker.
Discussed in this article is the marketing group Vision Sports' methods and strategies of marketing their product. When the manager and PR representatives of this organization came together, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall and have listened in to how they came up with this. It is a great accomplishment for Vision Sports Group, with beer and soft drink brand names most associated and econimically affiliated with baseball, this promotion will probably not push tea to the front of the baseball consumers minds whilst they are watching a game, but it just shows what you can achieve if you have an innovative and creative management (in this case Mary Gostfrand of Vision Sports Group) and marketing team. The target audience appears to be the baseball loving fans of New York and with an effective and well timed marketing plan and approach I say please make mine with milk and two sugars please. I miss a good cup of English tea, but I think I will now go and have some Bigelow just so I can be just like Mr. New York, Joe Torre. Thank you. :-)

"Tellem in talks for post-SFX merger"Vol.8 Iss.22 Pg.5 by Wes Layton

Arn Tellem is viewed in the sports industry as the most poweful sports agent in the United States, so when on September 30th he announced that he is stepping down after five years as the CEO of SFX Sports, and would now buy back his business that he originally sold to SFX Entertainment, he left the sports world stunned.
With this move, Tellam could and will be taking some of the companies agents and clients with him to the L.A. based office. To name a few of them he will be regaining Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady and Nomar Garciaparra as his clients. He will also be taking some prominent NBA and MLB agents with him as well. More importantly is the issue of Tellam naming his new partner. He has been in talks with many companies with prominent connections with the sports world, but none could be named. This final decision will be announced on Thanksgiving. I think all of the world will not only be eating turkey and watching football, but will be anxious to see what lucky company will become Tellam's partner and be getting a definite pay raise!

“MLB fills out lineup for postseason promos”Volume 8 Issue 22 by Dave Andrews

While the Major League Baseball heads directly into their postseason competition play, so does the promotions and marketing efforts. The major themes that MLB are continuing are the “8 Teams – 1 Champion” and expanding on the “I Live For This” ad campaign who now has reached out to frenetic fans who have their own spot on television now.

While off-the-field sponsorship support is very little during the postseason, it will be evident during the first four games of the World Series. XM Satellite Radio will lead things off with a pin giveaway for fans at Game 1, Bank of America will underwrite a ticket holder/lanyard for Game 2 and Taco Bell will give the same item away but with their own branding on it. Taco Bell with also do an on-site promotion during the Roberto Clemente Award presentation which will be held at the beginning of Game 3. First year MLB sponsor Chevrolet will conclude its Latino MLB Legends program with a custom-publishing piece for all fans at Game 4 and award the World Series MVP vehicle after the final game.

Other sponsors include Viagra, Pepsi and Taco Bell who will get ceremonial first pitches and Wheaties, who will create a congratulatory cereal box after the final game. Fox has sold 90% of their commercial spots to the same returning sponsors as last year, which are certain to entertain our viewing intentions. We have to again think of the Superbowl how competitive sponsors are in comparison to the World Series which will entice a similar size of crowd.

"Fox channels find way to do college on a tight budget" vol.8 iss.22 pg.35 by Sarah Zdesar

When it's football season and you are a football fanatic, you don't care if the game you are watching is on delay or not, all you care about is that you are watching football...period. That is why Fox College Sports will be showing tape-delayed video feeds of Big 12 college football games taken from video used by officials to review instant replays. The conference mandated that there be television production of every football game this season after it adopted video replays to check after disputed calls.
Unfortunately these games will not be exactly like watching the real thing. They will be adjusted and altered to fit a three hour time slot and audio will come from the home team's radio broadcast. Although there will be these (in my mind minor)differences, I think FCS is doing an innovative and cost reducing telecast. With this new line-up, they are really not only helping themselves, but the public as well. This allows games to be televised that normally wouldn't be to be televised at all. It also allows people the chance to see the game if they missed it or didn't see the whole thing. Personally, I know it was difficult for my family to make it to all of my games when I played in college and if they knew they could watch it whether it was on tape delay or not, they would have been more then estatic to do so. So for FCS to be televising these games, they are going to be making a profit, but little do they know they might be making family and friends happier then ever.

Track seeks Super Bowl atmosphere Vol 8(22) pg 8 by Sarah Galiotto

The Super Bowl… everyone knows the Super Bowl for it’s entertainment (we can’t forget the year with Janet Jackson!), commercials, and football of course. NASCAR’s Super Bowl is of course the Daytona 500, however, Curtis Grey, president of Homestead-Miami Speedway, is gearing the end of the series towards a Super Bowl-esque extravaganza. The Busch and Craftsman Truck series, Nextel Cup, and the Ford Championship Week all occur at HMS. This Super Bowl like atmosphere will be occurring around the Ford Championship Week. Activities such as charity events, a fishing tournament, street festivals, and celebrity and professional athlete appearances are what to be expected at this gala, and of course many musical performance like in the super bowl half-time show.
This is an excellent idea to gather race car fans alike for entertainment and the pure enjoyment of NASCAR racing. It should not take away the thunder of the Daytona 500, but allow another race of NASCAR gain more popularity. This can only bring more fans to the sport and bring the racing community more together. It exposes a way to have fun with racing and gain entertainment and satisfaction.

“Knicks fire up star power for TV spots in big marketing push” [vol. 8, issue 22, pg. 6] by Katie Bell

For the upcoming season, the New York Knicks are going to double their marketing budget to $2 million due to the increased competitive market for the franchise. The senior vice president of marketing talks about the challenges they have and how they must get out there and market aggressively. The Knicks have new players and a new coach, so this is one of the reasons they are spending considerably more on advertising this year than past years. Some of the ways they plan to advertise is by using several celebrities.
The Knicks are also in competition with the return of the NHL, which has two New York teams. They also find themselves competing with the New Jersey Nets, who plan to move to Brooklyn in 2008. The Nets are working hard to draw business from Manhattan. The Knicks have noticed this and plan to market to the boroughs and in New Jersey to draw in the crowds the Nets are overlooking.
The New York Knicks, in my opinion, seem to have a good understanding of exactly what they need to do, where they need to do it, and to whom, as far as advertising goes. They realize they are faced with more challenges this year such as the return of the NHL and attaining new players and a new coach. I think between marketing in the right areas and using the right advertisements, such as celebrity endorsers, the New York Knicks will be successful in their marketing efforts for the upcoming season.

“Some like look of NBA dress code”Vol 8 Issue 22 pg.6 By Kelly Brinker-Schaeffer

The NBA’s President, Antonio Davis, favors a dress code as part of the new collective bargaining agreement signed in June. Davis said, “I like the concept that we need to have some type of dress code. The way some players look now does not represent the league and themselves in the best way. The proposed dress code would require the players to wear a sport coat, slacks and dress shoes when arriving at a game and for team travel. For either off court appearances or sitting on the bench when not in uniform, players would have to wear a collard shirt or turtleneck with slacks or khakis. The dress code would prohibit tennis shoes, jeans, and hats. Neither, the NFL or the MLB has a dress policy for its players outside of competition uniforms. The NHL does require the players to wear a sport jacket when traveling. What do you think?

My opinion on this subject is that dress codes are very appropriate for sport players. When the players are traveling to a game or sitting on the bench they are still getting paid and they are still representing their team right? Many jobs in the US require a specific type of dress code for their positions, well going to games is their job! Not to mention on their salaries, I think they can afford to dress in nice clothes.

“Some like look of NBA dress code” Vol 8(22) pg 6 By Heather Hileman

NBA’s president, Antonio Davis, favors the idea of a dress code and non-compliant athletes will end up paying the price for not following the proposed rules. It is an aggressive effort to improve player image. The proposed code would require players to wear “a sport coat, slacks, and dress shoes when arriving at a game and for team travel.” For off-court appearances or sitting on the bench, players would have to wear “collared shirt or a turtleneck with slacks or khakis.” The players will not be able to wear jeans, sneakers, hats, or shorts. The NFL and MLB, as of now, do not enforce a dress code. NHL requires players to wear sports coats when traveling.
The talk of this dress code comes as the union prepares to make details of the “agreed-to-CBA public”. Image-related elements include things like mandatory attendance at team relations seminar with a fine of $20,000 for a no-show. Another element is that players may be asked to wear wireless microphones during games and practices and players will be responsible for up to twelve off court appearances each season. The appearances include two for season-ticket-holder events and five group appearances. If the go in violation they can have a fine up to $20,000.
I feel it is appropriate for all professional athletes to dress professionally on and off the court. I don’t mean every single day of their lives, but I do feel when they are in the eyes of the public (traveling, sitting on the bench, marketing and business affiliations) they should be dressed according to the guidelines stated above. It only shows that they are “professional” athletes and that they want to represent the league and themselves in the best way possible.