Marketplace Round-Up

GOLFWEEK’s Forecaddie reports the PGA Tour is “slashing prices for its final two events lacking title sponsorships.” A deal will be finalized “late next month to sponsor the [Disney Golf Classic] fall season finale at a reduced price ... as Disney has opted not to renew its deal past this year.” Also, title sponsorship of the Reno-Tahoe Open, which is played opposite the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, is going for $500,000, “just enough to cover some expenses this year” (GOLFWEEK, 6/30 issue).

GREY MATTER: In Toronto, Rick Westhead reports CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon recently met with around 60 reps from corporate Canada about selling the naming rights to the Grey Cup.  One source at the meeting said, “Everyone booed and said it was a really bad idea. One sales person from the U.S. who was there representing Old Spice got up and said he shouldn’t mess with the brand of the Grey Cup.”  Several sponsors have told Cohon privately that selling entitlement to the game “could be a disastrous move.”  They said that selling the divisional finals title rights to Scotiabank “has backfired,” and that the bank has told the league “it doesn’t intend to renew those agreements” (TORONTO STAR, 6/28).

GREAT WINE: Coyotes Managing Partner and coach Wayne Gretzky is lending his name to a line of Niagara wines and is planning to open his own winery called Wayne Gretzky Estates by ’09.  Three of Gretzky’s labels, which bear his No. 99, are currently on sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation.  More of Gretzky's wines are coming in September (TORONTO STAR, 6/28).