| • | Anti-Hunger Campaign To Sponsor No. 24 Sprint Cup Car In '11 |
| • | Officials Mull Penalties For NFLers In Light Of Agent Scandals |
| • | WAC Nears Resolution On Departure Of Two Schools To MWC |
| • | Levy Pleased With TBS' Performance During MLB Postseason |
ANTI-HUNGER CAMPAIGN TO BE PRIMARY SPONSOR OF GORDON'S NO. 24 CAR IN '11
 |
Anti-Hunger Campaign To Be Announced As
Primary Sponsor Of Jeff Gordon's No. 24 |
A "major anti-hunger campaign" will be the primary sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports' NASCAR Sprint Cup Series No. 24 Chevy driven by Jeff Gordon beginning in '11. The campaign, which "may be the first multi-race cause-related sponsorship of its kind in NASCAR, will be coordinated through the AARP Foundation and eventually involve other companies." DuPont and PepsiCo are expected to return as primary sponsors for some races in '11. Details will be announced Wednesday (THATSRACIN.com, 10/25).
Hendrick last month applied to trademark the slogans "Drive For Hunger" and "Drive 4 Hunger" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (SCENEDAILY.com, 10/25).
OFFICIALS DISCUSS PENALTIES FOR NFL PLAYERS WHO GOT IMPROPER BENEFITS
A panel of college and pro football officials is considering a proposal in which "players who lose their college eligibility for receiving improper benefits from agents could face financial penalties upon entering the NFL draft." The NCAA today in a release mentioned "potential post-NCAA financial penalties." Sources said that the "possibility of suspensions" also is being discussed by officials from the NFL, NFLPA, NCAA and American Football Coaches Association (ESPN.com, 10/25).
WAC CLOSE TO RESOLUTION WITH DEPARTING SCHOOLS NEVADA, FRESNO STATE
Sources indicated that the WAC and member schools Nevada and Fresno State are "close to a resolution over their departures" to the Mountain West Conference. Today marks the deadline by which the two schools were "originally asked to pay disputed $5 million departure fees." But when asked if he expected the payments to be forthcoming on the deadline, WAC Commissioner Karl Benson said, "No." It is believed the schools are in talks to pay "significantly less" than $5M (HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER, 10/25).
DAVID LEVY PLEASED WITH TBS' PERFORMANCE COVERING MLB POSTSEASON
By John Ourand, Staff Writer
A year after dealing with a torrent of criticism over TBS' production of the '09 NLCS, Turner Sports President David Levy was elated over the net's performance for this year's ALCS. "I couldn't have been happier," Levy said today, following a lunch highlighting the launch of a new season of the NBA on TNT. Levy does not anticipate making changes to TBS' baseball roster next year. Last year, TBS' lead play-by-play announcer Chip Caray was the focus of much viewer ire after making several on-air mistakes. Levy let Caray go a month after the World Series and replaced him with Ernie Johnson, who along with analysts John Smoltz and Ron Darling called this year's ALCS. Levy today hailed that decision as a success. "They went from zero to 60, and I think they're just going to continue to improve," Levy said. "That could end up being, maybe by the end of our 2013 contract, one of best baseball announcing teams out there."
Levy also was happy with the TBS studio team, saying David Wells "did a much better job and continues to improve." He added that Cal Ripken "understands the game better than anybody I know." Levy saved some of his highest praise for studio host Matt Winer. "We found a star there, as well." Levy said ad revenue from MLB's postseason was up 34% over last year.
PANINI AMERICA LAUNCHES NFL-LICENSED STICKER ALBUM AND COLLECTION
Panini America today announced that it has launched the first officially licensed NFL sticker album and sticker collection in the U.S. As part of the launch, Panini will distribute more than 20,000 NFL sticker albums via promotional kits to Pop Warner programs. Also, the Boston Globe has partnered with the trading card company to promote the product. Players featured in the collection include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre and Tim Tebow (Panini).
BUZZER BEATERS….
AFL Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Owner Phil Miller today said that the team "will not play the 2011 season." Miller added that the team "will be refunding deposits on season tickets"
(NEWSOK.com, 10/25).
CBS' "Undercover Boss" earned a 7.7 overnight Nielsen rating last night for its episode featuring NASCAR CMO Steve Phelps. The show aired from 9:15-10:15pm ET, trailing NBC's "SNF" and ABC's "Desperate Housewives" in the same time slot (THE DAILY).
 |
| Orlando-Based Group Will Move
Austin Aztex To Central Florida |
Orlando Sports Holdings (OSH) today announced that it has acquired the franchise rights to the USSF Division-2 Austin Aztex and will move the team to Central Florida (OSH).
Fox Sports Media Group today announced a partnership with PokerStars.net to create a complete poker section and game within FoxSports.com (Fox Sports Media Group).
CBS Sports Mobile today launched a new app for BlackBerry phones that provides access to news and scores from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, golf, tennis, auto racing and college football/basketball (CBS Sports).
Sentient Jet has agreed to a sponsorship deal with the Celtics, making it the team's official private jet partner. As part of the deal, Sentient will sponsor the concierge desk within the Courtside Club at TD Garden (Celtics).
Chicago-based bank Harris today announced the launch of Bulls and Blackhawks-themed debit cards. The bank is a sponsor of both teams (Harris).
QUICK HITS….
"It makes complete sense to finish the season a bit earlier. … I don't mind since I just take breaks during the season. But for the average player it's smart to finish at some stage and have a proper off-season" – Roger Federer, backing calls for shortening the ATP World Tour season (AFP, 10/25).
“We’re going to be in negotiations with that, and that’s something that we completely don’t agree with. Hopefully, we can come up with something, but taking away our money is not something we’re really excited about” – Magic G and union rep Chris Duhon, on the NBA wanting to slash player salaries by a collective $750-800M (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/23).
TWITTER ME THIS….
Former Fox Sports VP/Media Relations Vince Wladika: “Any1 today think its just coincidence that NewsCorp-owned paper (NYPost) wound up w/ NFL Network letter wanting arbitration vs Cablevision?”
Slam’s Marcel Mutoni: “The only thing Turkish hoops officials should be discussing with Iverson is creating a reality TV show.”
ESPN’s Bomani Jones: “The new bron/mike commercial is bananas. between he and widen and kennedy, someone gets it.”
Celtics G Nate Robinson: “Can't wait for tomorrow my son's bday & we play the heat OMG, the NBA where my son's 6th bday happens.”
If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.
THE DAILY'S HOT READS….
The L.A. DAILY NEWS' Tom Hoffarth writes HBO has been "pushing a storyline about the NFL returning to L.A." in this season of "Entourage," bringing a "surreal reality-meets-Hollywood aspect to L.A.'s ongoing stumbling pursuit of an NFL team" (L.A. DAILY NEWS). Also, which NFL teams would be likely candidates to relocate to L.A.?
The WALL STREET JOURNAL's John Paul Newport writes the Golf HOF "lacks some of the stature that only time can bestow. It is just 12 years old. … The reputation of the golf Hall is a work in progress, which is why I was a bit disappointed last month at the news that George H.W. Bush would be inducted" (WALL STREET JOURNAL).
Also:
See the Hot Reads section for more sports business-related links.
$TREET WATCH….
The following companies are scheduled to report earnings this week:
| COMPANY | DATE |
| Under Armour | Tuesday |
| Callaway Golf | |
| Skechers | Wednesday |
| Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment | Thursday |
| Dover Motorsports | |
| Interpublic Group of Cos. | Friday |
TONIGHT'S EVENTS….
The Bobcats will host a pre-grand opening of their team store at Time Warner Cable Arena from 4:30-5:30pm ET.
Eastbay and adidas will host a live online chat with Bulls G Derrick Rose at 6:00pm ET.
DAILY DOWNLOAD….
Nike's latest commercial featuring LeBron James offers a look forward – and back – at his career in light of a tumultuous summer and asks, "What should I do?"
CHANNEL SURF….
ESPN2 will debut “Pepsi Presents: MLB 2010 – Going Beyond Baseball,” which highlights the MLB teams that competed for a $200,000 grant from this year’s Pepsi Refresh Project, at 8:00pm ET.
TNT’s Charles Barkley will appear on CBS’ “Late Show” at 11:35pm ET.
Joe Theismann will appear on CBS’ “Late Late Show” at 12:35am ET.
HEADLINERS….
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| "Late Show" | Charles Barkley |
| "Tonight Show" | Matt Lauer |
| "Late Late Show" | Condoleezza Rice |
| "Late Night" | Molly Shannon |
| "Jimmy Kimmel Live" | Dr. Mehmet Oz |
DAILY DIGIT….
12,000 – Approximate number of miles the 49ers will have traveled by the end of their current road trip, which encompasses 10 days and includes games in Charlotte and London. The team was scheduled to arrive in the U.K. today (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 10/23).
NOTES & QUOTES FROM THIS DAY IN SBD HISTORY….
1999
SportsBusiness Journal reports McDonald's will renew its sponsorship deal with NASCAR. The move comes "to the surprise of industry insiders who believed" that the company was "ready to end its run as the 'official drive-through' of the racing circuit."
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at: pbounds@sportsbusinessdaily.com.
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