The Clippers and California-based watch and jewelry retailer Westime yesterday announced a partnership that makes Westime the team's official timekeeper. Westime, in partnership with Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Breitling, is the first official timekeeper for the Clippers. The multi-year partnership includes Westime and Breitling logos on courtside digital signs and LED displays around Staples Center. Breitling imagery is displayed during each game’s Countdown to Tip-off, while Westime branding is shown when the shot clock reaches five seconds. The partnership also incorporates Westime and Breitling into radio broadcasts, Clippers.com, social media and off-court events (Clippers).
JUICE PRESS: FIU said that its latest athletic sponsorship is "a 10-year deal" with juice-bar chain JuiceBlendz "worth $345,000." In Miami, David Neal noted the deal includes signage at the school's football and basketball venues, as well as online advertising; a "sample table space at some events; and in-game promotions." In other sponsorship news, the school's recent five-year deal with adidas is worth $2.6M, or "$520,000 per year." adidas "will devote about $155,000 per year to just the football team," and the FIU Stadium suite "costs about $40,000" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/14).
LEGAL ARMOUR: In Baltimore, Lorraine Mirabella reports Under Armour "has filed a lawsuit against Salt Armour Inc., saying the Florida-based seller of saltwater fishing apparel has violated" UA's trademark rights. The complaint states that consumers "will be misled into thinking Under Armour makes or licenses Salt Armour and Defense Armour clothing, accessories, sporting goods and fishing and tactical gear." UA "is demanding profits from the use of those names and damages, including $200,000 for operating saltarmour.com and defensearmour.com websites" (Baltimore SUN, 1/15).
ORANGE YOU GLAD? In Birmingham, Mike Herndon notes Reese's Senior Bowl Exec Dir Phil Savage yesterday "unveiled new orange, white and black uniforms for this year's game, set for Jan. 24 -- the first color scheme change in the history of the game." Savage said, "When you have a sponsor like Reese's and we just felt like this is another huge step in terms of that partnership, it's sort of a further integration of their brand with our game. They wanted orange and we've definitely given them orange" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 1/15).
