Bulls F Joakim Noah on Friday said that he has "left shoemaker Le Coq Sportif and likely will sign with Adidas." In Chicago, K.C. Johnson noted Noah wore France-based Le Coq Sportif "out of loyalty to his father," former tennis player Yannick Noah. While Joakim Noah was "plagued by plantar fasciitis" in two of the past four seasons, "no link can be made definitively between the shoe and Noah's foot problems." But the topic "filled message boards and talk radio," due especially to the fact Noah was "the only NBA player" to endorse Le Coq Sportif (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/5).
PLAYOFF PAYOFF: In Pittsburgh, Teresa Lindeman cited data as showing the Pirates' market share of all MLB licensed merchandise sales is at 2.4%, up from 1.3% "at this time last year." By comparison, the Yankees had 35% market share, the Dodgers 11.7% and the Tigers 7.8% (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/5). Meanwhile, California-based retailer Fanzz spokesperson Jose Uribe said that sales of Dodgers merch has "ramped up at the Fanzz retail store in the Westfield West Covina mall" in California. Uribe said, "If we have 10 people in here, eight of those 10 people will be buying Dodgers merchandise" (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE, 10/7).
CASE OF THE SHANKS: GOLF WORLD MONDAY's E. Michael Johnson writes Jack Nicklaus' announcement of his new line of golf balls "could be described in a word: disappointing." That has "nothing to do with the quality of the product." Nicklaus "produced balls designed for golfers who play from various teeing grounds -- not a bad gimmick but not one that will send players flocking to buy them." Nicklaus as a player "rarely made a bad decision, but this move appears to be a whiff" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 10/7 issue).
ROUNDUP: Burton Snowboards on Friday announced a head-to-toe deal with Danny Davis, including outerwear, apparel and hardgoods (Burton)....The AHL Manchester Monarchs and Papa John's inked a deal for the '13-14 season (Monarchs).
