NFL Panthers Expect Excitement Around Newton To Result In New Sponsors, Tix Sales

NFL Panthers QB Cam Newton's record-setting rookie season has set the stage "for a busy off-season team executives anticipate will include strong season-ticket renewal rates and keen interest from sponsors," according to Erik Spanberg of the CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL. Private Sports Consulting Principal Max Muhleman said, "The Cam Newton renaissance is like starting over. ... The timing seems uniquely opportunistic. That's what you look for when you recruit sponsors: new energy." Spanberg reports the Panthers' "first priority is negotiating its next cola contract," as its two-year deal with Pepsi expired after the '11 season. Pepsico and Coca-Cola reps could not be reached for comment, but Red Moon Marketing President Jim Bailey, a "frequent consultant to the local Coke bottler, says Coke is 'very serious' in its interest in the Panthers." Coca-Cola had a deal with the team from '95-'02. Meanwhile, the Panthers by the middle of February will send out season-ticket renewals. Panthers President Danny Morrison said that the team "elected to start a month earlier to provide ticket-buyers with an extended five-month payment plan." Spanberg notes other recent additions include "tweaks to the team logo, the launch of a mobile app that includes special features accessible only in the stadium and greater emphasis on social media" (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/3 issue).

CAM MAKES HIS PITCHES: Newton is making the media rounds in Indianapolis this week to promote Under Armour and his recently announced sponsorship deal with Gatorade. Newton, who ranked eighth on THE DAILY's list of the most marketable NFL players, appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” Thursday and talked about his Under Armour UA Highlights cleats. Newton said it is an “unbelievable shoe” and when “people first look at it, they look at it and say, ‘Man, it looks like a boxing shoe or a wrestling shoe.’" Newton: "As football players, so many people spat, and what spat is they get a cleat and they tape over it. This type of technology with this shoe, it just takes away the want for spat. When you look at it from afar you would think it’s a heavy shoe. It’s very light, very comfortable and when you get it on it just sucks your foot in and makes it as if it’s part of your body” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 2/2). Newton Thursday also appeared on Jim Rome’s radio show and he said of his Gatorade deal, “It does not suck. Here I am getting paid to do something that I want to do.” Newton said Gatorade is teaching him “things that I didn’t even think to take serious,” because “you have to take care of your body” (“The Jim Rome Show,” 2/2).