In Greensboro, Powell Latimer reported Duke alum and North Carolina grad student Aaron Kirschenfeld "came up with an idea for a T-shirt" to honor late UNC basketball coach Dean Smith from a Duke perspective. Kirschenfeld "put the name 'Dean' in a traditional Duke block lettering on a Duke blue shirt," and Chapel Hill-based T-shirt company Thrill City "picked up on the design, honed it and produced it." Thrill City Owner & co-Founder Ryan Cocca said that his company as of Monday morning "had sold more than 275 shirts" and is "planning to send a few hundred to Durham" ahead of tonight's game between the two rivals (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 2/17).
MOLDING KLAY: China-based Anta last week in N.Y., having "finished the KT FIRE sneakers custom-built" for Warriors G Klay Thompson, officially announced the signing of Thompson to an endorsement deal. In China, Xinyu & Chun noted Anta had "already inked the deal with Thompson last year," and the company now counts Mavericks G Rajon Rondo, F Chandler Parsons, Nets F Kevin Garnett and Pacers F Luis Scola as reps (EN.YTSPORTS.CN, 2/14).
A HORSE, OF COURSE: KentuckyOne Health, the largest health system in the state, has signed a deal to be the title sponsor of the Breeders' Cup Festival Week. Financial terms were not disclosed. The Breeders' Cup World Championship is set for Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course. The festival will be held the week leading up to the races from Oct. 25-31. KentuckyOne also will get use of the festival mark, media exposure and signage at the festival (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer).
PRACTICING MEDICINE: In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen reported Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin is now the "official orthopedic provider of the Bucks." The hospital's name is now "displayed inside the Bucks' St. Francis practice facility, which was renamed Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Training Center," while its logo and name appear on Bucks players' practice jerseys (MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/13 issue).
