NIKE'S NEW GOLF COURSE: GOLFWEEK cites sources as
saying that Nike's renewal of title sponsorship of the Nike
Tour "seems even more unlikely considering that the PGA Tour
reportedly is seeking more money for the Nike Tour." Nike
Golf is instead "expanding its PGA Tour staff to get greater
exposure for its shoes and balls," has recently "doubled its
sales force and is maintaining a strong TV and print
advertising campaign" (GOLFWEEK, 10/21).
NOTES: N.Y.-based National Media Group (NMG) is
expanding its sports licensing by partnering with licensor
Howard Peretz to market and license his new property, "It
Ain't Over 'til the Fat Lady Sings." The first licensed
products from the venture are an apparel line, a Web site
(www.fatladysings.com) and a coffee table book (NMG). NMG
co-CEO Peter Kaplan: "We're basically sticking our toes into
the licensing water. We see great potential in it"
(SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/18 issue)....The Grand American
Road Racing Association (Grand-Am) has retained N.Y.-based
GSC Marketing to assist it in the launch of the Grand
American Road Racing Series. GSC will handle TV and print
media exposure, Internet presence, sponsorship packages and
licensing opportunities for the series (Grand-Am).
