Marketplace Roundup

Sharapova Inks Two-Year Deal To Wear Tiffany & Co. Earrings During Grand Slams

Tiffany & Co. agreed to a two-year partnership with No. 1-ranked Sony Ericsson WTA Tour player Maria Sharapova. Sharapova will wear Tiffany earrings during each of the four Grand Slam tournaments for the duration of the partnership, beginning this weekend at the French Open with designer Elsa Peretti's 18K-gold Wave earrings. "Tiffany for Maria Sharapova" earrings will be available at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide (Tiffany).

PENGUINS, RED WINGS SALES UP: Sales of Penguins merchandise at Shop.NHL.com has increased 139% over last season, while Red Wings merchandise sales are up 49%. Game jerseys were the top selling category for both teams. The “Penguins’ 10 Greatest Games” DVD sold the most units among Penguins items, while the authentic No. 87 Sidney Crosby jersey from the NHL Amp Energy Winter Classic generated the most revenue. The Rbk Edge Premier Jersey was the top selling item among Red Wings merchandise (THE DAILY).

PAPI DON'T PREACH: In N.Y., Jack Curry reports the Yankees are “upset about the plans” for Red Sox DH David Ortiz to participate in State Farm’s Call Your Shot promo during the Home Run Derby in July. Yankee Stadium is hosting the All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby. However, it “would be surprising if Ortiz did not get to take the swing,” as the event is organized by MLB, and State Farm “deals with MLB, not the Yankees” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/23).

PGA TOUR NOTES: The PGA Tour RBC Canadian Open has signed a two-year deal with LG Group to become a silver sponsor on the tournament, including supplying all on-site TVs (LG)….The gallery following Phil Mickelson in Thursday’s opening round of the PGA Tour Crowne Plaza Invitational “shouted references to his Crowne Plaza commercials all day” (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/23).