Marketplace Roundup

SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Michael Smith reports Sears Craftsman has struck a seven-figure, multi-platform deal to title sponsor ESPN's Craftsman Tech Garage during the net's NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series telecasts. ESPN will use the mobile studio in segments "to explain technological aspects of racing." The move comes as the Craftsman brand is "doing away with its at-track program and mobile marketing as it shifts its motorsports budget into media buys" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/2 issue).

New Skis Feature Simmons' Face

KISS THIS: In N.Y., Christina Erb reported Switzerland-based ski manufacturer the Faction Collective S.A. last week "displayed new graphics on its big-mountain powder skis ... at the snow-sport industry's biggest trade show" at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. When placed side by side, the skis' tips "depict the painted face of the Kiss front man Gene Simmons, his red tongue hanging." But Faction Collective "had not received permission to use the trademarked image." So now, the company is "playing it safe," and is "trying to license the image." If that fails, the company "will not sell the ski with that graphic" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/31).

IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING: NBA All-Stars Celtics F Kevin Garnett, Spurs F Tim Duncan, Magic C Dwight Howard, Nets G Devin Harris and Nuggets G Chauncey Billups all endorse adidas, but in Boston, Marc Spears reported Howard "will be the focus of the company's advertising campaign" during the February 13-15 All-Star weekend. Meanwhile, despite not attending college, Garnett this March "will be highlighted in an adidas campaign" during the NCAA men's basketball tournament" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/1).

I LOVE A PARADE: The NHRA had a convoy touring the streets of L.A. yesterday as a way to symbolically open the '09 season. The first event of the newly-named Full Throttle Series is the Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals this weekend at Pomona. Twelve haulers, three safety safari trucks, a pair of Pontiacs and two L.A. County Sheriffs participated in the NHRA parade (Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal).

ROUNDUP: Iowa-based supermarket chain Hy-Vee Food & Drug will take over as the Chiefs' official grocery sponsor next season. K.C.-based Price Choppers, who had been the team's sponsor for "nearly three decades," will see its deal expire in March (K.C. STAR, 1/31)....MSG signed Mercedes-Benz to sponsor its Adam Graves Night telecast, which began this morning at 9:30am ET with "The Game 365: Adam Graves." The former NHL Ranger will have his jersey retired tonight before the team plays the Thrashers (John Ourand, THE DAILY).