In Boston, Gayle Fee reports Red Sox DH David Ortiz and RF Shane Victorino’s playoff beard clippings are "up for grabs" after being "put on the block by Gillette." Gillette is "selling the Beard Ball trophies (because the hair was rolled into a ball) to raise money for Movember, the men’s health charity" through an eBay auction. Ortiz' hair as of Thursday night was "already up to $2,025" and Victorino's was "pulling in $908." The auction continues through Nov. 30 (BOSTON HERALD, 11/22).
RUB OF THE GREEN: In Portland, Allan Brettman wrote the value Nike places on golf "was on full display" Thursday at the Tiger Woods Center at the company's Oregon HQs, as the company "introduced a range of footwear, apparel, clubs and balls" for '14. The event featured Nike Golf execs, designers and four company-sponsored players -- Jhonattan Vegas, Kyle Staley, Kevin Chappell and Paul Casey. Nike Golf VP/Global Apparel & Footwear Merritt Richardson said that Nike Golf is "the leader in apparel sales, both in the U.S. and globally" for the sport (OREGONLIVE.com, 11/22).
KICK START: BLOOMBERG NEWS' Vinicy Chan reports Las Vegas Sands Corp. plans to sign "an agreement to cooperate" with David Beckham "to promote its business in Asia." Sands China CEO Edward Tracy said that the co-branding venture "will focus on dining and retail." Sands is "betting David Beckham’s celebrity status in China will help give its brand a boost in a country where casinos are forbidden from advertising" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 11/22).
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: In Orlando, Sandra Pedicini reported when an opposing team misses five free throws in Magic home games this season, fans "can cash in with free McDonald's french fries." McDonald's and the Magic started the new promotion in Wednesday's game against the Heat and it "will go on throughout the season." Fans "don't have to attend the game to cash in." Instead they can "just send a text at the start of the game, and get virtual gift cards to redeem a large order of french fries at an Orlando-area McDonald's." The gift cards "must be redeemed within 24 hours." The giveway "will be capped at the first 10,000 people" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 11/21).
