ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported Nike on Monday "filed both a motion to dismiss and a motion to prevent the brand from having to reveal specifics of its Jordan brand business as a result of a lawsuit filed by photographer Jacobus Rentmeester." Rentmeester two months ago "sued Nike, claiming that it was his photograph -- taken of Jordan in a 1984 issue of Life magazine -- that was used without his permission for the creation of the Jordan logo, which became known as the Jumpman." The company in Oregon district court asserted that the photographer's claims "are baseless because his photo and the Nike photograph that the Jordan silhouette is based on don't pass the legal standard of being 'virtually identical'" (ESPN.com, 3/17).
ON A ROL: The PGA Tour yesterday announced the latest of its sponsor renewal deals with an 11-year extension with Rolex. The company, which has been a Tour sponsor since '07, will remain an official marketing partner of the PGA Tour and will be a sponsor of the four WGC events and the Presidents Cup. Rolex is designated as official timekeeper of the PGA Tour, the Champions Tour and the Web.com Tour, as well as the World Cup of Golf. The agreement is the second-longest sponsorship for the PGA Tour. Earlier this year, the Tour signed a 20-year renewal with Charles Schwab (John Lombardo, Staff Writer).
MCDONALD'S OF A NEW DAY: THE HOCKEY NEWS' Jared Clinton reported McDonald's is looking to Canadiens LW Max Pacioretty "to create the next big thing in fast food." He is the second NHLer with recent ties to the QSR, as Senators G Andrew Hammond will eat at McDonald's free for life after painting the chain's "Hamburglar" character on his mask. Pacioretty’s McDonald’s debut "comes in the form of the special 'Max 67' burger," which "includes an Angus beef patty, bacon bits, tri-color nachos, cheese, tomato, and onion and is topped with a nacho sauce." It is "not clear how much influence Pacioretty himself had on the process." The burger will be released in Quebec restaurants this week and will "only be available in stores until April 20" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 3/16).
AIR UP THERE: Air Canada yesterday announced a series of six-year deals with six Canada-based NHL teams, becoming the airline of choice for each club. The agreements with the Canadiens, Canucks, Flames, Jets, Maple Leafs and Senators take effect with the '15-16 season. The teams' flight service will be operated by Air Canada's in-house charter carrier Jetz, which also provides air travel for the Avalanche (Air Canada).
