In Michigan, Emily Lawler reported the Michigan Economic Development Corporation yesterday announced that it will "sponsor the Pure Michigan 400" at Michigan Int'l Speedway once again in '15 for a "total bill of $675,000." MEDC has sponsored the race for four years, but the sponsorship ran out this year. The new agreement is "a commitment for another three years, though it will be funded on a yearly basis assuming the legislature continues appropriating to Travel Michigan." MEDC PR Manager Michelle Grinnell said that as the title sponsor for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race, MEDC will "get seats, hosting opportunities, signage around the track and the opportunity to give materials to campers or attendees" (MLIVE.com, 10/21).
GOING BOWLING: In Orlando, Matt Murschel reported Buffalo Wild Wings has agreed to become the title sponsor of the New Year’s Day bowl in Orlando, which will be known as the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Capital One had “been the primary sponsor” for the game since ’01 but moved its title sponsorship to the Orange Bowl, "one of the games used in the new playoff system" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 10/21). Meanwhile, Zaxby’s and the Heart of Dallas Bowl yesterday announced that the QSR will be the title sponsor of the Dec. 26 game at the Cotton Bowl. The four-year sponsorship runs through the ’17 game, with an option to extend. It is the bowl game's first-ever title sponsorship (THE DAILY).
FOREIGN FLAVOR: Golfer Ian Poulter, who recently split with Cobra-Puma Golf, yesterday wrote on Twitter, "I will be a full staff @Titleist @FootJoy staff player for 2015 season. So excited." GOLF DIGEST's E. Michael Johnson wrote as for why Titleist took on Poulter, one only needs to "look at the company's full-line players from Europe." Other than French golfer Victor Dubuisson, there "aren't many high- profile players under contract." Signing Poulter may be an "effort to bolster the roster abroad as well as secure a recognizable name should Dubuisson bolt for big bucks elsewhere in the future" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 10/21).
GET YOUR PHIL: In Philadelphia, Kyle Phillippi noted MLB has released a new Phillies wine "on behalf of Wine by Design, the league's wine licensee." There are two different wines "offered among the Phillies brand: a white chardonnay and a red." Eight teams are "currently represented" as part of the collection (PHILLY.com, 10/20).
