MLB: MLB Photos has signed a three-year deal that gives
Allsport exclusive rights to distribute MLB Photos
internationally, marking the first time the rights have been
given to a single licensee (MLB)....In Ft. Worth, Sean Wood
reported that MLB Rangers' sponsorship sales will bring in
"about" $11M, or 10%, of the team's '99 revenue, "up more
than" 20% from '98. Rangers VP/Marketing Charlie Seraphin,
on tailoring sponsorships to partners' needs: "There really
is no such thing as a typical sponsorship. You have to look
at their target demographic and marketing goals and see what
specifically meets their needs" (STAR-TELEGRAM, 6/17).
TENNIS: SciDel will provide virtual signage for CBS
Sports' broadcast of The Quality Challenge this weekend, a
four-man tennis tournament featuring John McEnroe, Jimmy
Connors, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander (Quality
Signage).....While Ellesse recently won two court rulings
over Conchita Martinez in her effort to get a $550,000 bonus
for achieving a No. 2 world ranking between '94-97,
Advantage's Phil dePicciotto, who reps Martinez, said the
case is "not over. We're discussing with our counsel what
our next steps might be." TENNIS' Meri-Jo Borzilleri:
"Meanwhile, look for Martinez to be wearing Kappa clothes at
Wimbledon" (TENNIS, 7-8/99 issue).
