In L.A., Meg James writes TV networks had been "banking on an improving economy this year to help drive demand" from advertisers. But the annual upfront advertising market "was unexpectedly weak." ABC, CBS and Fox collectively booked $600M "less this summer than during last year's market." Cable network execs also "struggled to find buyers for their commercial time." Two major sporting events -- the Sochi Games and the FIFA World Cup -- "soaked up" more than $1.5B in advertising dollars this year, "leaving fewer dollars in the upfront market." NBCUniversal took in $1.1B in ad revenue "for its broadcasts of the Olympics" (L.A. TIMES, 7/24).
STILL IN PLAY? Following the firing of PGA professionals in all Dick's Sporting Goods stores nationwide Tuesday, Pittsburgh-area Golf Galaxy PGA pro Matt Trimbur said that those employed at his chain "remain employed." Dick's owns Golf Galaxy, and in Pittsburgh, Fleisher & Cohn note only those "working at Dick's" were laid off. Trimbur said, “We had some internal restructuring that affected the Dick's stores." Illinois-based golf business analysis firm Pellucid Corp. President Jim Koppenhaver said that PGA pros "offer more value to Golf Galaxy than a general sporting goods store like Dick's" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 7/24).
THEY JUST DID IT: In Oregon, Sherri Buri McDonald noted adidas is the official sponsor of the Int'l Association of Athletics Federations World Junior Track & Field Championships in Eugene, and organizers have "covered up Nike swooshes and pinned adidas posters to the fence alongside the track" at Hayward Field. adidas as part of the contract receives a "'clean venue' at Hayward Field, free of its rivals’ logos, although the agreement does stop short of throwing a paper bag over the statue of Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman" (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 7/23).
