In Chicago, Rick Morrissey wrote golfer Rory McIlroy is "threatening to take away" Tiger Woods' "death grip on Nike." Morrissey: "If he does, you won’t hear Nike talk about McIlroy’s ascent as it relates to Wood’s descent. You won’t hear Nike talk much about Woods’ sordid past, not when he has made -- and continues to make -- so much money for Phil Knight’s corporation." It would be "strictly about success and appeal, and right now the 23-year-old McIlroy has more of both than the 36-year-old Woods does." Woods’ consistency on the course "isn’t even close to what it used to be." Morrissey: "If you’re a global company looking to stay relevant, you’re constantly looking for fresh faces. Is there a fresher face than McIlroy’s boyish visage?" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/31).
RUNNER'S WORLD: With the ING N.Y. Marathon set to take place on Sunday as scheduled, several companies announced sponsorship of the event. Tata Consultancy Services was named a N.Y. Road Runners senior sponsor and the exclusive IT consulting sponsor for the marathon. This marks the third straight year Tata has sponsored all three major U.S. marathons, including the Boston Marathon and Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Tata will also be the inaugural presenting sponsor of the Marathon Lounge held at the Time Warner Center in N.Y., a new initiative that will be open to the public throughout the weekend. TCS is also presenting sponsor of the Blue Line Lounge, the VIP finish line hospitality event. Tata's expanded relationship with NYRR official sponsorship of the NYRR's Youth Jamboree and Mighty Milers Youth Programs. Meanwhile, Diamond Foods again will sponsor the final five miles of the marathon, with members of the Emerald Cheer Zone greeting runners at mile 22 of the race. Additionally, Poland Spring will be a marathon sponsor and has teamed with runner Josh Cox (THE DAILY).
QUARTERBACK PITCH: In DC, Dan Steinberg notes the "latest item" marketed by Redskins QB Robert Griffin III is the Limited Edition Assassin's Creed III "Griffin Bundle," which features Ubisoft's video game and a limited edition adidas CC Seduction shoe "designed in collaboration" with Griffin (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/31)....DVICE.com's Adario Strange noted Panthers QB Cam Newton on Monday was shown "holding up his own HTC smartphone" in a promotional video played during the launch of Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 platform in S.F. (DVICE.com, 10/30).
