The GUARDIAN's Paul Wilson reported the FA on Saturday "confirmed a new three-year sponsorship deal" with Emirates Airline for its flagship competition, which "will be known as the Emirates FA Cup." The deal is "thought to be worth" US$46M. The airline "was associated with FIFA until last year." Emirates Airline President Tim Clark was "careful to draw a distinction between supporting" the FA and the "discredited" FIFA. Clark said, "The FA is not that organisation" (GUARDIAN, 5/31).
I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE: Verizon IndyCar Series driver Tony Kanaan said that he was "thrilled to have" Taylor Swift's face on his No. 10 Chevy. Kanaan: "I think we achieve a lot of things this weekend bringing more people to watch IndyCar, to be honest, just by having that fun. You can just look what has happened since we announced this thing on Friday. It has been crazy. We made it on 'SportsCenter.' I mean, we die to make it to 'SportsCenter' and all of a sudden we're on 'SportsCenter.' So for sure I think the exposure is helping -- it's unbelievable" (DETROITNEWS.com, 5/31).
SIC 'EM BEARS: In Dallas, Shehan Jeyarajah reported Baylor Univ. on Friday "finally unveiled" its new full football uniform. The new gear "boasts a grey interior to match the helmet, but with a traditional Baylor green stripe down each side." Jeyarajah: "Without question, these are a bold new move by Nike and Baylor football." The new uniforms are "certainly far from anything Baylor has ever done before." However, the real effect "could be felt in recruiting" (DALLASNEWS.com, 5/29).
FUTURE EARNINGS: In St. Louis, David Nicklaus reported Fantex on Friday completed its IPO of shares "linked to the future income" of Rams DT Michael Brockers. Shares were "quoted at $10 apiece," and as of 2:30pm CT on Friday, the site said that "962 shares had traded during the day." Brockers is the fifth NFLer to "go through an IPO with Fantex." Two of the previous trading stocks "are trading above the initial prices, while two have thrown investors for a loss" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/30).
