STRANGE DAYS INDEED: A K.C.-based company that
manufactures coffins sent a letter to the Univ. of KS
requesting that basketball coach Roy Williams appear at a
company function to "shake hands with a few of our clients."
KU SID Dean Buchan, on the request: "It was kind of eerie.
I mean, 'Shake hands with their clients?' I think they meant
shake hands with potential clients." Williams did not
attend because of a "previous commitment" (K.C. STAR, 9/30).
CAN YOU SAY PRODUCT EXPOSURE: Browns coach Chris Palmer
appeared as himself on last night's "Drew Carey Show."
Palmer, after Carey ran across the field at Browns Stadium:
"Will you look at this? Five minutes into the season and
we've got our first nut." Browns merchandise was worn by
the show's actors throughout last night's episode, including
Puma and Champion replica jerseys, Browns and "Dawg Pound"
t-shirts and a Nike hat ("Drew Carey Show," ABC, 9/29).
FACE-OFF: USA TODAY features a 12-page "NHL Preview" in
today's issue. Penguins RW Jaromir Jagr is the subject of a
front page profile. Advertisers include Penguin Putnam
Books touting its new NHL children's books, PowerAde, Dodge,
IBM, Quaker State and ESPN (THE DAILY).
RACIN': USA TODAY's Skip Wood reports that CART lost
another "high profile sponsor," as Budweiser will not return
next year as a sponsor of the CART car owned by John Della
Penna and driven by Richie Hearn (USA TODAY, 9/30).
...Negotiations "continue for a primary sponsor" for the
Hispanic Race Team, which will make its debut in the NASCAR
BGN event November 13 in Miami. The sponsor "could come
from a group" that includes Corona, Bacardi, Univision and
Telemundo (DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/30).
DEALS & DOLLARS: MA-based myteam.com formally announced
an exclusive five-year deal to become the AAU's official
online community and service provider (AAU)....Toronto-based
Wavex has signed a four-year deal with Jimmy Connors, who
will play and endorse Wavex racquets (Wavex).
