In Nebraska, Chris Dunker reported Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh, a Univ. of Nebraska alum, "plans to open a Nike store" in the school's former Nebraska Bookstore space in downtown Lincoln. The Board of Regents on Friday approved a $1.25M agreement with Suh's company, TFL Development, to "buy 17,000 to 19,000 square feet of space" (JOURNALSTAR.com, 10/9). Also in Nebraska, Brian Christopherson wrote a potential Nike-branded store on the NU campus "can't make Adidas reps very comfortable." adidas' apparel deal with NU runs through '18. Christopherson: "You wonder what the future brings when you see other big programs dropping ties with Adidas" (JOURNALSTAR.com, 10/9).
YOU'RE THE BOSS: In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell reported Hornets G Kemba Walker during the team's NBA Global Games trip to China "has been wearing" Air Jordan sneakers at practices. Walker on Saturday confirmed that he "has switched from Under Armour." Walker joins teammates F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and C Cody Zeller as Nike endorsers (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/11). In L.A., Melissa Rohlin reported Clippers G Chris Paul and F Blake Griffin during the team's China trip "will be making appearances" alongside Michael Jordan for Jordan Brand (L.A. TIMES, 10/10). Meanwhile, Lynx F Maya Moore hit a last-second shot to win Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, and Basketball HOFer Lisa Leslie said of Moore, "She gets to wear the Jordans because she hits the game winners" ("NBA GameTime," NBA TV, 10/10).
BARGING IN: AmEx announced that it will offer a pregame experience for AmEx cardmembers in the Seattle area on Oct. 18 before Panthers-Seahawks in which a 200-foot barge will host a party in Puget Sound. The event is free for all AmEx cardmembers who are 21 years of age or older and RSVP in advance. The event sold out in less than 24 hours. AmEx became a Seahawks sponsor earlier this year (AmEx).
HOME TEAM: In Miami, Nicholas Nehamas reported One Sotheby’s Int'l Realty is now the Heat’s "official luxury real estate partner." The local broker "will advertise at the team’s AmericanAirlines Arena and support the Miami Heat Charitable Fund." It "may also help Heat players find homes in South Florida" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/10).
