Marketplace Roundup

In Boston, Todd Wallack in a front-page piece reports the Federal Highway Administration has concluded that "some of the most visible billboards in the Boston area, including the mammoth advertisement for beer on the side of the TD Garden, appear to be illegal and may have to come down." The FHA "found the problem signs during its first inspection of Massachusetts' outdoor advertising program in more than a decade, and reported its findings last week." FHA officials said that the "gigantic sign at TD Garden, which now promotes Budweiser beer to travelers entering the city across the Zakim Bridge, 'appears to be an illegal sign' because it does not have the necessary state permit." However, TD Garden officials "insisted they don't need a state permit" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/2).

SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE: CNBC.com's Darren Rovell reported Hawaii-based GT Sports Marketing has signed exclusive autograph deals with former Auburn QB Cam Newton and DE Nick Fairley, as well as former Alabama RB Mark Ingram. Newton's deal provides for GT to "buy and sell Newton's game-used NFL gear." While the autograph industry "has definitely taken its hits over the last decade," GT President Gary Takahashi said that "several categories still sell: Super Bowl MVPs, Hall of Famers and Rookies" (CNBC.com, 3/1).

NOTES: The Bills "have closed the team's retail store" at Eastview Mall in Victor, N.Y., saying that "strong online sales have made a brick-and-mortar store in the Rochester area superfluous." Bills Senior VP/Marketing & Broadcasting Marc Honan said that the retail store "adjacent to team offices at Ralph Wilson Stadium is popular and will remain open." The Eastview store was the team's "only other retail operation" (Rochester DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 3/1)....Brazilian club Flamengo MF Ronaldinho is "teaming up with Ed Hardy creator Christian Audigier on a clothing line." The collection will include "shirts and a variety of hats and will be available to nightclub GHB dealers in Latin America, Japan and the U.S." (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/1).