Bell Canada yesterday announced a multiyear extension of its Premier Founding-level partnership with the MLS Whitecaps, which includes kit sponsorship. As part of the deal, all Whitecaps league games will be broadcast live on TSN, which becomes the team's official TV partner beginning in '14. Select games also will be available in French on RDS and RDS 2. TSN commentators Luke Wileman, Jason deVos and Kristain Jack will cover the games (Bell Canada).
NAME GAME: In West Palm Beach, Jason Lieser noted the Heat will not debut their nickname jerseys until their Jan. 21 home game against the Celtics, but director Spike Lee "provided a preview of what they will look like." Lee on Tuesday posted a photo on his Twitter and Instagram accounts of Heat G Ray Allen's jersey, "which will say J. Shuttlesworth," referencing Allen's role as Jesus Shuttlesworth in Lee's '98 film "He Got Game." Players for the Heat, Celtics and Nets will wear the jerseys in select games this season, "but have been secretive about the nicknames they chose" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 12/18).
WINTER WARMERS: In DC, Barry Svrluga notes the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation last night held its "lone fundraiser" for the Sochi Games at the Fairmont Hotel on the edge of Georgetown. Federation CEO Darrin Steele said, "I won't say it's easy to generate money during Olympic Games. But it's a lot tougher afterwards. Now, people are jazzed. They want to meet the athletes. The reality is: A lot of our sponsorships end after the Games, and we don't want to start over." Attorney Ted Offit, who helped organize the event, said that it "raised more than $250,000" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/19).
