Carmelo Anthony is expected to make his Knicks debut tonight at MSG, and FORBES' Kurt Badenhausen wrote "at first glance Anthony’s move to New York would seem to be a boon to his endorsement income." He is one of the NBA's "top scorers now playing in its biggest market with a high-profile wife, TV personality La La Vazquez, that helps keep Anthony in the news." But to date, companies have been "shy to get in bed with Anthony because he carries some baggage with him to New York," including charges of marijuana possession and DUI. Badenhausen wrote the "other thing that has held back Anthony’s endorsement career is winning" (FORBES.com, 2/22).
ALL FOR ONE? In Louisville, Gregory Hall notes NBC acquiring rights to all three Triple Crown races through '15 "raises the possibility of a series sponsor, like Chrysler and Visa were previously." Churchill Downs Inc. President & CEO Bob Evans, who "has pushed for months to get all three races back on the same network," said that it is "probably too late for this year." Still, Evans said that he "would envision sponsorships evolving in the same way that the TV deals did, led by a sponsor that would work with the three tracks" (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 2/23).
FASHION STATEMENT: In Boston, John Tomase reports players from the Red Sox, Yankees, Giants and Phillies have been "chosen to start the design process" for this year's Players Choice Signature Series jerseys and T-shirts, "under the guidance" of the MLBPA. The product line debuted in '09 "with the Mets, and last year players from the Yankees, Mets, Twins and Phillies got in on the fun." Red Sox 3B Kevin Youkilis, LF Carl Crawford and 1B Adrian Gonzalez were "selected to help design" the Red Sox line, and all "creations will go on sale later this year" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/23).
TWIN BILLING: In St. Paul, Charley Walters reports the Twins in a few weeks "will film a couple of TV commercials" at their Spring Training home in Ft. Myers, Fla. One ad will feature DH Jim Thome as Paul Bunyan, joined by C Joe Mauer and 1B Justin Morneau. The other will feature manager Ron Gardenhire (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 2/23).
