In Boston, Fluto Shinzawa wrote while Jets RW Blake Wheeler tweeted that ads on players' sweaters "would tarnish NHL jerseys," uniform ads "would be considered hockey-related revenue" that would be split between owners and players. Coinciding with adidas taking over NHL jersey rights in '17, the league reportedly could begin to allow jersey ads. Teams and players both "would profit," and the salary cap "would go up." Players already are "already wearing sponsored equipment," and everybody is "used to branding on helmets, gloves, pants, skates, and sticks" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/23).
CEREAL KILLER: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir reported a petition has been started on Change.org asking "that General Mills correct an omission that has lasted more than 30 years" and feature former U.S. diver Greg Louganis on a box of Wheaties. Louganis is "not actively campaigning on behalf of the petition." Wheaties is "aware of the petition." The company in a statement said, "Greg Louganis was certainly a world-class diver and truly embodied the championship mentality of a Wheaties athlete. While we do not discuss future marketing decisions, we will look into how we celebrate his accomplishments" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/23). Louganis discussed being left off the Wheaties box in his recently released HBO documentary (THE DAILY).
REBOUND DRILL: In Newark, noted Jersey City-based athletic apparel brand Pass The Roc has relaunched after it "had been dormant for nine years." Pass The Roc Founder Jarrod Greene said the company made $5M in business for two years after it debuted in '03, but then "ran into problems." Green: "We are growing. We are planning for a trade show in Atlanta and we have not done that in 10 years" (NJ.com, 8/22).
CEDING RAINBOW: In Charlotte, David Scott noted Charlotte Motor Speedway "will pay tribute to retiring NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon with a 24-day campaign leading up to the track's fall race." The campaign, called "Jeff's Last Ride," will include "daily videos posted to JeffsLastRide.com" and "partnerships with businesses across the Charlotte region to 'paint Charlotte 24'" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/22).
