In New Jersey, John Brennan notes the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee has "sent a letter to all 566 municipalities in New Jersey encouraging them to participate in a statewide celebration" of Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2. But the letter "also warns the towns very specifically to make sure they don’t violate" the NFL's licensing rules while promoting their events. The letter notes the committee is "extremely sensitive to events that are sponsored by or connected with products or companies that are competitors to the Host Committee or NFL sponsors" (Bergen RECORD, 6/14).
WHAT'S IN A NAME? In Las Vegas, Howard Stutz noted Boyd Gaming's primary sponsorship of the Las Vegas NASCAR Nationwide Series race "will now be reflected in the name." Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday announced that the race will be named the Boyd Gaming 300 beginning next year. It had previously "been known as the Sam’s Town 300," as the Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino is owned by Boyd Gaming. Company Exec VP & COO Paul Chakmak said that the new name for the race was "chosen after Boyd Gaming extended its sponsorship agreement, ensuring it be the sole corporate sponsor for 20 years" (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 6/13).
WHO'S IN THE GAME? YAHOO SPORTS' Harrison Mooney noted while EA Sports announced in May that their NHL 14 cover vote competition was between Devils G Martin Brodeur and Blue Jackets G Sergei Bobrovsky, they have "yet to announce which of the backstops won the gig." However, a banner featuring Brodeur is "hanging at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in L.A." On Thursday, "observant fans noticed that, while Brodeur had a banner," Bobrovsky did not (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/13).
WHERE'S THE PITCHER? In DC, Bryant Ruiz Switzky noted PNC Bank is "offering customers the chance to throw out the first pitch" at the Aug. 9 Phillies-Nationals at Nationals Park. The bank is "using the promotion, which goes through July 5, in a campaign to get Nats fans to sign up for its new Washington Nationals affinity check card." PNC is a "prominent sponsor" of the Nationals. PNC Financial Services Group Dir of Client & Community Relations Sonia McCormick said that the promotion "started June 3 and so far activity has been 'brisk'" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/13).
