Marketplace Round-Up

Montoya Could Soon Land Spot In Bank Of America's Affinity Credit Card Program

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Michael Smith reports NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya is expected to join Bank of America’s stable of drivers for its affinity credit card program. Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart are among the drivers who already have a deal with the company (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/8 issue)....The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s John Paul Newport noted that Bridgestone Sports and Titleist parent company Acushnet last week “quietly announced that they had reached a settlement” in their ongoing legal dispute. Bridgestone contended that some of Titleist’s balls, most notably the Pro V1,  infringed upon Bridgestone’s patents. As part of the settlement, Acushnet “agreed to pay royalties under several [of] Bridgestone’s patents, and the companies will share certain other patents without exchanging royalties.” Callaway filed a similar infringement against Acushnet suit last year (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 10/6)....Champion has been named the official apparel provider of four men’s college basketball events produced by the Gazelle Group; the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, the O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE, the Legends Classic and the Classic Blue Ribbon Challenge (Gazelle Group).