Mara Says Giants Have Not Dropped Price For Stadium Entitlement

Giants Still Looking For Stadium Sponsor For Shared Meadowlands Stadium

NFL Giants President & CEO John Mara yesterday said that despite signing Timex as a title sponsor for the team's training facility, the Giants are "still looking for a stadium sponsor" for their shared Meadowlands stadium and the team "hasn't lowered its asking price despite the economic downturn," according to Mike Garafolo of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Mara added that the "first event in the new stadium will be a college lacrosse event in April 2010," and that there also will be a "few concerts to follow, meaning there will be plenty of chances to fine tune before the first football games." Verizon recently signed on as the third of four cornerstone partners for the Giants/Jets stadium, and Mara said that he "hopes to have a fourth before the end of the year" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/18). Mara noted that there "have been talks regarding the naming" of the Giants/Jets stadium. Mara: "I wouldn't say that we're close but we are having discussions with several companies about that. At least we're seeing some interest out there." Mara added that he "expects to have a naming rights deal in place when the stadium opens for NFL games" in fall '10. Mara: "It's more important to get the right deal. If that means waiting beyond the opening of the building, we'll do that. But I don't think that will be the case" (NEWSDAY, 6/18). Timex President Adam Gurian said the stadium naming rights had "never been part of the conversation" with the Giants deal. Gurain: "From day one we've focused on the training facility and the headquarters of the Giants. We think that's where the partnership really thrives and really allows us to really jointly develop product (and) market things together" ("America's Nightly Scoreboard," Fox Business, 6/17).

Mara Says Giants Negotiating With Three States To Put Logo On Certain Lottery Tickets

TIMELESS DEAL: In N.Y., Ralph Vacchiano reports as part of the Giants' deal with Timex, a "small Timex patch will appear on both their blue and white practice jerseys this summer." Meanwhile, Mara acknowledged that the Giants are "negotiating with the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut state lotteries to put a Giants logo on certain scratch-off lottery tickets, and to offer Giants-themed prizes to lottery winners." Mara: "We're in discussions with all three (states). But we have nothing to announce yet." Vacchiano notes it is "not known how much money a lottery deal will net the Giants" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/18). When asked if he felt he had to "give up something because of the economic times" for the Timex deal, Mara said, "We're very happy with this deal." Mara noted the value of the deal is a "little bit higher" than the $35M figure originally reported. Mara: "Let's just say that it's a very healthy deal for our franchise and it's as lucrative as any naming-rights deal out there in terms of practice facilities. ... There was a variety of reasons that we wanted to do this deal. First and foremost was getting two great icons together" ("Street Signs," CNBC, 6/17).

CAN FOOTBALL SELL WATCHES? FORBES' Laurie Burkitt noted Timex began "experimentation with sports marketing" last year in sponsoring the Surf City Half Marathon in Huntington Beach, California, as well as the ING N.Y. Marathon, "keeping official times of all 45,000-plus runners in the races." But Burkitt wrote, "Whether a 300-pound linebacker will be able to throw anything other than body weight and convince consumers to buy a watch is a real toss up" (FORBES.com, 6/17).