BLOOMBERG NEWS' Soshnick & Butters cited sources as saying that Hyundai is "close to an agreement on a sponsorship contract" with the NFL. The automaker would replace GM, which dropped its deal with the league this past season "after holding rights" since '01. A source said that GM was paying more than $25M annually, "excluding advertising time buys." NFL Dir of Corporate Communications Joanna Hunter "declined to comment." Hyundai affiliate Kia is an NBA sponsor (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 6/22).
PUTT FOR DOUGH: AD AGE's Anthony Crupi noted Fox "managed to scare up a nice chunk of change during the last day" of the U.S. Open. iSpot.tv estimates show that the net on Sunday generated $12.3M in "ad sales revenue, or nearly half" the $27.8M both Fox and FS1 "took in over the course of the four-day tourney." The USGA was the "biggest backer" of the '15 Open, having invested $4.5M in "no fewer than 105 promotional spots, of which 29 aired in prime time." Also "digging deep were official USGA sponsors" American Express ($2.01M); Lexus ($1.81M); and Rolex ($1.54M). Titleist was the "biggest endemic sponsor, topping all golf brands with $685,000" (ADAGE.com, 6/22).
GOING CHALK: The Univ. of Kansas men's basketball team next month at the World University Games will play in uniforms made by adidas "that are labeled 'KANSAS' but also contain a few patriotic touches." KU will wear the jerseys during two exhibition games, today and Friday, against Canada at Sprint Center, and again during the tournament July 3-14 in South Korea. There is a "USA emblem on the front, along with seven stars across the back of the jersey" (KANSASCITY.com, 6/22).
