HOOPS: IL-based Budget Rent-a-Car has signed a multi-
year deal as a sponsor of Turner's NBA telecasts. Budget
will promote its "Fastbreak Service" during the "Fastbreak
of the Game" feature. Cliff Freeman, NY, handled the deal
(AD AGE, 1/20)....NSTAR, the parent company of electric and
natural gas distribution companies Boston Edison,
Commonwealth Electric, Cambridge Electric and Commonwealth
Gas, has signed a two-year marketing and community relations
agreement with the Celtics. As part of the deal, NSTAR and
the Celtics will refurbish two inner-city parks in Boston
with multiple basketball courts and also jointly sponsor
several basketball camps (NSTAR).
NOTES: NASCAR driver Rick Mast and car owner Larry
Hedrick are "close to signing" a primary sponsor. Mast said
that an announcement "could be made as soon as today
concerning whether Exxon or another company" will sponsor
the team (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 1/21)....PLB Sports'
Hokie Toasties cereal has inked a multi-year endorsement
deal with the Hokie Bird, VA Tech Univ.'s mascot. The
company claims the deal to be the first with a collegiate
mascot (PLB Sports)....Turfway Park (KY) has yet to find a
sponsor for its "premier race," formerly called the Jim Beam
Stakes and last year called the Galleryfurniture.com Stakes.
While the race offered a "record purse" of $750,000 last
year, Turfway President Bob Elliston said that "even if" a
sponsor is not secured for the March 25 race, it is "likely
to offer" a purse of $600,000. Elliston said "serious talks
with potential sponsors" are ongoing (DRF, 1/20).
