League Notes

Solheim Cup At Crooked Stick Sets Attendance And Merchandise Records

In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton reports the NFL will “reap a windfall of more than $25[M]” once adidas’ takeover of Reebok is complete. The “bonus” stems from “stock warrants given to the league” as part of Reebok’s deal to become the exclusive on-field apparel licensee in ’02 (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/12 issue).

CUP RUNNETH OVER: In Indianapolis, Phil Richards reports the Solheim Cup, which was held last weekend at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana, drew a record 103,000 fans, and also set a record for merchandise sales. Ty Votaw, whose 5 ½-year tenure as LPGA Commissioner ended Sunday, said that this year’s edition was “‘by far’ the most financially successful” of the nine Solheim Cups staged. Richards notes the LPGA has not played a tournament in central Indiana since ’88, and LPGA Tour Senior VP & COO Chris Higgs said, “I think the opportunity is here to take advantage of the momentum women’s golf has here and what this event will bring in terms of interest.” Higgs said that discussions with at least one group interested in title-sponsoring a possible LPGA event in the area “go back six months,” and talks with other groups “began as recently as two weeks ago” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/13).

PURE INTENT: FIFA signed a “declaration of intent” last year but “stopped short of signing” the official WADA code, which includes an automatic two-year ban for first-time drug offenders. FIFA President Sepp Blatter “stressed how [FIFA officials] have agreed to drop their own recommended six-month ban for first offenders,” and that for the first time, FIFA has “changed their statutes to give [WADA] permission to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport should they differ with any penalties” (London TELEGRAPH, 9/13).