BLOOMBERG NEWS' Eben Novy-Williams noted a merger of A-B InBev and SABMiller "would result in the company controlling about half of the industry’s profits, giving it more money and less competition in sponsorship negotiations." That concentrated pricing power "will drive down beer spending, which ranks among the sports market’s most lucrative categories." Former A-B VP/Global Media Tony Ponturo said that a merger "could cut beer sponsorship spending" by as much as 20%. Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment Exec VP/Sales Chris Pearlman said the result will be a "massive, massive" shift (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 9/17).
A NEW STANCE: In Ft. Lauderdale, Ira Winderman reports sock company Stance yesterday introduced a new "signature line of socks" for Heat G Dwyane Wade that pays "homage to the color and culture of Miami.'" The Fall 2015 Dwyane Wade collection is "comprised of 11 dress and casual styles" designed by Wade (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 9/17). In Cleveland, Chris Fedor reports as part of the NBA's leaguewide deal with Stance, "each team will get two specific designs that will be worn for the first time on Opening Night and then every game for the remainder of the season." There also will be "limited-edition styles for marquee games on Christmas Day, Easter and Martin Luther King Jr. Day" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 9/17).
FLEX SCHEDULING: Van Heusen yesterday announced a campaign around the launch of its Flex Collar shirt that will include a component with the NFL Giants. Van Heusen, which first signed a deal with the Giants in '10, will unveil branded in-stadium creative and various digital shorts shot at MetLife Stadium starring RB Rashad Jennings, G Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, LB Devon Kennard, DT Johnathan Hankins and former NFLer Jessie Armstead. ESPN's Merril Hoge and Pro Football HOFers Steve Young and Jerry Rice also will be leveraged in the campaign (Van Heusen).
