The Thunder and oil company Continental Resources announced a sponsorship deal that includes naming rights for the Courtside Club at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The deal also features jersey sponsorship of the Thunder's D-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Continental's branding also will appear on the Blue's playing floor at Cox Convention Center (Thunder).
MUCH MERCH: CNBC's Kayla Tausche said it has been a "rough month for the NFL, but despite the Ray Rice scandal and others, merchandise sales are soaring." Tausche cited data from Fanatics showing that sales of NFL gear are up 20% "so far this season." Fanatics CEO Doug Mack said sales are up because fans "focus mostly on what happens on the field." Mack said of mobile, "It's going to be one of the top-five places we invest in the years ahead." He added, "I'm actually long-term bullish on all sports. I think it's a mega-wave" ("Squawk Alley," CNBC, 10/9).
GRIDIRON GROOMING: MAXIM's Kari Molvar reported Browns LB Karlos Dansby is set to "launch his own line" of men's grooming products, called Montez Renault, with former banking exec Christopher Butler. Dansby and Butler "already run Butler's Grooming Club, a spa-like lounge" in Birmingham, Ala. Dansby said Montez Renault has "some interesting brand ambassadors," including Browns WR Miles Austin, TE Jordan Cameron and LB Paul Kruger (MAXIM.com, 10/7).
