In NC, Mike Mulhern reports that NASCAR COO Mike Helton
"takes offense at complaints" that the organization is
"trying to take too big a bite out of the wallets of
sponsors." But Mulhern writes that "some longtime series
backers are privately griping about some of NASCAR's heavy-
handed marketing tactics" (WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL, 3/27).
...In Dallas, Richard Alm examined the sports marketing
efforts of dot-coms and noted that TX-based Genesco Sports
Enterprises had "so many Internet companies coming through
the door" that it formed a separate unit called Genesco
Sports Interactive. Genesco Interactive Dir Merrill
Squires: "There are so many dot.coms on television. You've
got to create a point of difference. Sports can be
validating, but it can be a waste of time if not done the
right way" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/25).
NCAA: On "The Sports Reporters," ESPN's Mitch Albom, on
the NCAA: "The NCAA forbids use of words 'Big Dance,' 'Final
Four,' even 'March Madness' [in Indianapolis] claiming they
are trademarked. They demand that Indy clear the streets of
any vendors and even take down signs or banners that aren't
the $50 per pop ones sanctioned by the NCAA. I guess this
proves that a billion dollars in TV rights just doesn't go
as far as it used to" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/26).
...The NCAA "prepared alternate arrangements to get players"
to Philadelphia for the Women's Final Four in case of a U.S.
Airways flight attendants strike. In Charlotte, Greg Lacour
wrote, "Ironically, US Airways is the official airline of
the Final Four" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/25).
IT'S GOT TO BE THE SHOES? ESPN's Jason Jackson reported
that Sonics F Ruben Patterson has been wearing Nikes "at
least since his days at the University of Cincinnati, but no
more. He is changing over to the AND 1 basketball shoe
because he thinks his sudden Achilles tendinitis was caused
by his Nike shoes. Patterson said, 'I think it's just how
Nike's are made'" ("NBA 2Night," ESPN2, 3/25).
