McDonald’s Head of Global Alliances John Lewicki said the QSR will introduce a "much more aggressive" vetting process before signing multi-million dollar sponsorship deals for the World Cup and other global sports events to protect itself from becoming embroiled in a repeat of the FIFA scandal. Speaking at SportsPro's The Brand Conference in London, Lewicki said, "The way we endorse an athlete, we vet that athlete. We have a morals clause in the contract so if there’s anything that goes wrong we are protected. That’s not necessarily the case with sponsorship of a property. But I think you will see some of that going forward now." He also revealed that McDonald's and other World Cup sponsors, such as Visa and Coca-Cola, were "in close consultation with the scandal-hit world governing body over reforms to how it is governed." For more on this story, please see Friday's issue of SBD Global (John Reynolds, SBD Global Correspondent).
SHOE CARNIVAL: ESPN’s Tony Reali noted the endorsement deal between adidas and Rockets G James Harden formally went into effect on Thursday, and adidas marked the occasion by "backing up the truck” into Harden’s driveway and delivering boxes of sneakers. Reali asked, “What do you think happens to all the Nikes that were in his closet?” N.Y. Daily News’ Frank Isola: “I'm sure he's probably going to autograph some of them and then use them for charity. Hopefully, he gives some of them away. I guarantee you he'll be photographed at one point wearing a Nike shoe" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 10/1).
NOTES: Pizza Hut has agreed to a seven-year deal to become the "official pizza partner" of the Stars, Mavericks and American Airlines Center. The chain replaces Dallas-based Pizza Patron in that role. Exact terms of the six-figure deal were not disclosed, but Pizza Hut "will have the ability" to use the team and arena trademarks "in the pizza maker's marketing and promotional materials" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/1)....Vancouver-based Saxx Underwear signed Cavaliers F Kevin Love to be featured in the brand's '16 global campaign and collaborate on product development and design (Saxx).
