Marketplace Roundup

Philadelphia Stores Stayed Open Late To Sell Phillies NL Championship Gear

The Phillies last night defeated the Dodgers 10-4 to clinch the NL Championship for the second consecutive year, and in Philadelphia, Bunch & Morrison report fans "started to arrive about 11 last night" at the Modell's Sporting Goods store in Snyder Plaza in South Philly. Waiting for the fans was an "eager crew of sales people led by manager Paul Usher, ready to sell National League champion T-shirts, hats and the like" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 10/22). Folsom, Pennsylvania-based Clothes Quarters Owner David Wiesen “promised to open the store if the Phillies won to begin selling official Phillies shirts.” Wiesen said that by 12:30am ET, “all the children’s shirts were gone and the adult sizes were fast disappearing.” Wiesen: “We still have about 100 in line, waiting to cash out.” He added that “more merchandise would be coming in today” (DELAWARE COUNTY TIMES, 10/22).

FEELING THE PINCH: In Milwaukee, Gary D'Amato reports Netherlands-based DSB Bank, a sponsor of U.S. Speedskating, "has been declared bankrupt by a Dutch court," leaving the NGB with a "budget shortfall of $300,000." DSB Bank also "contributed $50,000 directly to athletes, who earned portions based on race finishes," but that money also "is gone." U.S. Speedskating Exec Dir Bob Crowley: "It's a very big blow. We have some challenges and we're going to face things head on. Our marketing folks are out working on it. We will have to cut back" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/22).

HABLO ESPANOL: NBA Commissioner David Stern said that the league's new "ene-be-a" marketing effort aimed at Hispanic fans is a "'several-million-dollar campaign' that both consolidates existing outreach efforts and expands those activities with radio and television advertising and a Web site aimed at Hispanic audiences." Merchandise, "including a T-shirt containing the ene-be-a brand, also will be available." NBA Senior Dir of U.S. Hispanic Marketing Saskia Sorrosa said the effort "engages the fan base we currently have, while building the fan base long term" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 10/22). Grizzlies C Marc Gasol, who will be featured in the campaign, said, "It's great. It’s not just Spain. But everybody in Mexico and South America loves the NBA. I’m excited about it" (COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 10/22).

GOING RETRO: Boston.com is running a poll asking readers what their favorite NFL throwback uniform has been so far this season. As of presstime, 76.3% of the 18,117 respondents had chosen the Patriots, followed by the Chargers at 7% and Broncos at 4% (THE DAILY).