Yahoo! and Excite have both entered into media deals
with the Indy Motor Speedway (IMS) and IRL, according to
Andy Bernstein of the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. An IMS exec
told Bernstein that Yahoo! has "agreed to spend" $2.3M in
cash for a "multiyear deal that would include entitlement"
to the IRL's Atlanta race, "along with an extensive print
and media buy." Bernstein adds that Excite signed a two-
year deal with IMS "to host real-time streaming video of the
race grounds and [IMS]" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/17).
CUT-BACK: BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton reports that Bic
renewed its MLS sponsorship, "although at a lesser
'corporate partner' level, as opposed to the 'official
sponsor' position it held since the league's inception five
years ago." As a result of the new deal, Pepsi signage will
replace Bic's on the uniforms of the Revolution. MLS has
"re-inked all its original sponsors except AT&T, whose
omnibus telecom rights deal will be sliced into more
lucrative separate deals" (BRANDWEEK, 4/17 issue).
FLOORED: UT-based Sport Court, a manufacturer of sport
performance flooring, has signed on as the Official Floor of
The Royal Neighbors of America USPV Millennium Cup, set for
May in Louisville, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Chicago. Sport
Court will receive exclusive name and logo placement
throughout the tournament, as well as courtside signage, PA
announcements and presence on the USPV Web site (USPV).
