Johnson & Johnson has singed a four-year sponsorship
deal with the WUSA, becoming the league's second sponsor
after Hyundai, according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK, who
cites sources as saying WUSA rights cost about $1M per year.
The deal will "initially be used" by J&J to market the
Acuvue disposable contact lens brand, but the company "gets
total exclusivity in the healthcare and pharmaceutical
categories." In addition to official "medical product
supplier" status, J&J receives two units per game during the
15 TNT and seven CNN/SI league telecasts. J&J also gets
"two field boards per game, in-game broadcast enhancements,
sampling rights and a uniform patch" to be worn by two WUSA
teams. Lefton notes that player rights "must be negotiated
separately" (BRANDWEEK, 10/30 issue).
SOCCER MARKETING NOTES: Umbro America will replace
Mexico-based Atletica as the uniform supplier of the
Revolution, effective next season (BOSTON HERALD,
10/31)....Computer processor manufacturer AMD has signed on
to sponsor Eurosport's World Cup programming package. AMD
will also sponsor a "series of top-level friendly matches in
which France will defend its title in the run-up" to World
Cup 2002 (London GUARDIAN, 10/27).
