WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY's Rosemary Feitelberg reported a Brooks Running spokesperson declined to say whether U.S. runner Nick Symmonds "consulted with any of the company’s executives before he went public with his decision" to stay off of USA Track & Field's roster for the upcoming IAAF World Championships because he would not promise to wear only Nike-branded Team USA gear during the trip. There was no indication "from the Seattle-based $500 million brand how he might be used in marketing down the line." Brooks "has a reputation for pitching friendlier, more approachable branding than juggernauts like Nike and Adidas" (WWD.com, 8/12)
AMAYA SMART: The CP's Ross Marowits reported online gaming company Amaya "is bolstering its entry into fantasy sports betting by acquiring U.S.-based Victiv for an undisclosed price." The daily betting site "launched last September will be rebranded StarsDraft and be ready for the upcoming NFL season and offer a venue for league soccer play in Europe." StarsDraft "will initially be launched in select U.S. markets and later added through Amaya's PokerStars platform" (CP, 8/13).
NICK'S KNACK: In Australia, Peter FitzSimons writes tennis player Nick Kyrgios is a "national embarrassment" after his recent on-court exchange with Stan Wawrinka that referred to Wawrinka's girlfriend. FitzSimons writes if he was one of Kyrgios' sponsors, he "would run screaming from the room, tear up the contract, and burn the clothes" he was wearing at the time of signing it. FitzSimons writes Kyrgios is "a toxic tosser, and there is no way around it" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/14).
EUGENIE BOTTLES IT: In Montreal, Stu Cowan noted tennis player Eugenie Bouchard's loss on Tuesday in her opening match of the Rogers Cup was her "13th in her past 15 matches overall." Heading into the Rogers Cup, "her ranking had dropped to No. 25." Bouchard and her brand "have taken a beating this year." Diet Coke -- one of Bouchard’s major sponsors --"has been trying to push its #GenieForTheWin campaign, but there haven’t been too many #wins to promote" (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 8/13).
