For the first time in its 14-year history, the Breeders
Cup at Hollywood Park is "likely" to get a title sponsor,
according to Langdon Brockinton of MEDIAWEEK. The Marquee
Group's Sports Marketing & TV Int'l will handle sales for
the event to air November 8 on NBC. Marquee Group VP/Sales
Cliff Kaplan said the annual fee for title sponsorship is in
the "low six figures." A few associate-level sponsorships
will also be sold (MEDIAWEEK, 8/18 issue).
OTHER NOTES: Sources tell Brockinton that NBC "will
likely" begin soliciting sponsorships for the Presidents
Cup, which it holds broadcast rights for in 2000, 2002, 2004
and 2006, after the '97 Ryder Cup concludes next month. NBC
declined to comment. Sources also said that NBC "is in
talks" with Nike regarding sponsorship of the '99 and 2001
Ryder Cups....Regarding NBC's coverage of the World Series,
Brockinton reports the network has sold "nearly" 95% of its
ad time for Games One through Five. The network, "which has
moved some of the inventory via package deals during the
prime-time upfront, has sold a number of 30-second spots for
about $300,000 apiece." NBC declined to comment....CBS has
struck a '98 Winter Olympics ad deal with Shell, making it
the exclusive "petroleum products" advertiser on the
network's broadcasts of the Nagano Games (MEDIAWEEK, 8/18).
