Marketplace Roundup

JetBlue Becomes Official Partner Of Panthers And BankAtlantic Center

In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay reported JetBlue Friday announced its "first ever sponsorship with a hockey team and arena, becoming the official -- and exclusive -- airline partner" of the NHL Panthers and BankAtlantic Center. JetBlue's signage is already "on the awnings over the arena's doorways and dots the plaza in front of the building." By January, a "signature JetBlue tailfin is to be added to the plaza -- the first ever installation for the airline." To "honor the new multi-year partnership," the airline offered 18% off on bookings made Friday for travel Dec. 2-16 (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 11/6).

THE FINE PRINT: IndyCar last week signed a deal with Izod making the company its title sponsor, and sources said that if "certain metrics concerning number of races held annually, TV ratings, attendance and car count among other things aren't met, there are triggers in the contract that will allow Izod to decrease its financial pay-out or opt out of the contract all together" (IBJ.com, 11/6).

IN THE RING: SPORTINGNEWS.com's Rich Lopez reported Nike and boxer Manny Pacquiao are "getting together once again to release another Manny Pacquiao Nike Trainer 1." The shoe is "inspired by his upcoming match against Miguel Cotto on Nov. 15," and features a "Philippine colorway of White, Red, Blue, and Yellow, with lasered detailing." There is "no exact release date as of now," but Lopez expects Nike to release the shoes, "in limited fashion, around the time of his match" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 11/6).