As ESPN’s Winter X Games begins in Aspen, there is no doubting the growth of the franchise. Attendance has skyrocketed 92% since it was first held in Aspen in ’02, and TV ratings remain solid. The annual winter sports festival has also spawned new multimillion-dollar businesses, as well as a crop of marketable athletes who have not only won the backing of blue-chip sponsors, but have even boosted the hip-factor and cachet of the Olympics.

Print | Tags: Front Page

“I just cannot imagine that a Bayern player would wear a German shirt with the Nike logo on it.”

— Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, whose adidas-backed team may try to prohibit its players from playing for the German national soccer team if Nike lands the national team’s marketing rights (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, 1/25).

Print | Tags: Front Page

Let’s Talk About Sox
Red Sox unveil their annual revenue-generating Fenway Park improvements.

Signs Of Support
Hornets land Cadbury Schweppes as first Champion- level sponsor in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

Cold Mountain
PGA Tour denies claims that it caused The International loss of rich title sponsor.

Good Humor Man
A-B returns to humorous Super Bowl ads for Budweiser.

Penalty Flag
NFL, union reach tougher policy for performance- enhancing drugs.

Getaway Vehicle
Ford pulls out of Champ Car sponsorship.

Necessary Roughness?
Tiger Woods shuns stunt double in new Buick spots debuting this week.

Torre Party
Yankees manager’s $7.5M salary more than double next highest, Cubs’ Lou Piniella.

Print | Tags: Front Page