In Philadelphia, Vaughn Johnson noted 76ers F Nerlens Noel is “already making changes to his shoe deal.” Slam Online’s Nick DePaula reported on Twitter that Noel has “parted ways with Reebok and his representatives are currently discussing a new deal with other companies” (PHILLY.com, 10/5).
SENSITIVE SUBJECT: NASCAR team owner and driver Tony Stewart said that he "had the support of his sponsors" after his sprint car incident that killed Kevin Ward Jr. In N.Y., Viv Bernstein noted Mobil 1 "issued a statement indicating it had not cut sponsorship." But Kantar Media Chief Research Officer Jon Swallen said that Mobil 1 "stopped its television, Internet and banner ads" featuring Stewart "days after the fatality." He added that Bass Pro Shops "had not run a television ad featuring Stewart since Aug. 4," a few days before the incident. But a Bass Pro Shops spokesperson said that the decision “was not associated with the accident” (N.Y. TIMES, 10/5).
YOUNGER ALL THE TIME: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg noted the PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship "wants to recruit younger fans," and to accomplish that goal has hired Charlotte-based agency BooneOakley. Tournament Exec Dir Kym Hougham liked BooneOakley not only for its ideas but also for the Charlotte agency’s staff, many of whom are the 20- and 30-somethings the tournament hopes to attract." The tourney's campaign likely will "rollout early" early next year for the May 11-17 event (CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/3 issue).
