Marketplace Roundup

On Long Island, Anthony Rieber reports GNC was "clearly not happy about having its name dragged through the steroid mud" when Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez referred to the company multiple times during his February 9 interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons, in which he admitted using performance-enhancing drugs. GNC spokesperson Greg Miller Thursday in a statement said, "GNC does not sell illegal anabolic steroids. GNC is always troubled when an athlete who cheats himself and his profession attempts to implicitly or explicitly scapegoat another person or organization for his gross lapses in judgment." Miller added the company is "confident that the public understands the difference between unlawful drugs that one's cousin has to inject into the body and the legal, safe products for sale in its stores" (NEWSDAY, 2/20).

SOUVENIR SHUFFLE: NASCAR SCENE's Erik Spanberg reported Motorsports Authentics (MA) this year "faces other challenges beyond the bruising recession," as the "highest-profile move with souvenir sales potential is Tony Stewart's departure from Joe Gibbs Racing and lead sponsor Home Depot." Stewart now drives for Stewart-Haas Racing and is backed by Office Depot and Old Spice. But while Stewart is "popular and boasts a championship resume, his sales pale next to those" of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who switched to the #88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet with new sponsors Amp Energy and the National Guard before last season. Other "possible boosts" for MA could come from driver Carl Edwards in his Aflac-sponsored car and Jeff Gordon's "first major paint scheme adjustment on his DuPont Chevrolet" (SCENEDAILY.com, 2/19).

QUACK BACK: The Ducks and Anaheim Arena Management have renewed their sponsorship agreement with the Orange County Register as part of a multi-year partnership (Ducks).