Marketplace Roundup

In Miami, Douglas Hanks reports Switzerland-based travel firm Assist-Card, which sells insurance and emergency service for travelers, "recently signed a deal to become a top sponsor" of the Heat. The deal makes Assist-Card the Heat's first presenting sponsor and "signals a new domestic push for a company that has focused on the European and Latin American markets for decades." Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Assist-Card President Keith St. Clair said that the company "will be the only sponsor identified on Heat tickets, billboards and on the website logo" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/1).

SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE: Golfer Anthony Kim, currently ranked No. 21 in the world, has signed a multi-year deal with Audemars Piquet, a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer. Kim, who has deals with Nike for apparel and equipment and RBC for branding on his bag, will not wear the company’s marks but may appear in an upcoming print campaign. Audemars Piquet also has deals with golfers Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh and Morgan Pressel, among others. Kim is represented by IMG’s Chris Armstrong (Jon Show, SportsBusiness Journal).

BLIND-SIDE BLITZ: In Philadelphia, Jason Nark reports the Eagles have sued Pennsylvania-based Equity Communications for "violating the team's trademarks and licensing agreements on its stations." The lawsuit claims that Equity "continues to give away tickets" to Eagles games on its radio stations despite admitting in an '04 e-mail that it "fully understood that Eagles logos and unofficial partnerships were 'off-limits.'" A recent business flier included in the lawsuit with Equity's WZXL-FM's logo on it "also features a photo of Lincoln Financial Field, Donovan McNabb, an Eagles helmet and the team's logo" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/1).