Golfer Jordan Spieth this week was honored by sponsor AT&T with a "mosaic of golf balls" in his likeness in downtown Dallas, according to Bill Nichols of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. A 25-member team "began the creation on Sunday, teeing up 24,152 golf balls on the grass." It was "open to the public on Wednesday." AT&T, which "expanded its relationship with Spieth to include branding on his golf bag last year," also filmed "content for a national ad on Tuesday." The company on Wednesday posted "a time-lapse video of the installation on its YouTube channel" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/26). The AP noted the image "shows Spieth wearing a cap and appearing to watch his shot off his backswing" (AP, 10/28).
DRIVE FOR SHOW: CNBC's Dominic Chu said of a Forbes list naming Tiger Woods' and Phil Mickelson's brands the most valuable in sports, "The reason why Phil and Tiger are at the top of this list is because they are so head-and-shoulders, in terms of endorsement income, above just the top players on the PGA Tour right now." Chu said because they have "amassed such endorsement value over the years, you do see them at the top of these lists because, relative to everybody else in the sport, they are doing that much better." But Chu noted "the interesting part about this list is they have both ... lost brand value relative to last year and that is specifically because of guys like Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy." Chu: "All these young guns are now starting to make an impact so they are elevating, they are boosting up the average total value of endorsements." Chu said McIlroy already has a "leg up" on players such as Spieth and Jason Day. Chu: "The question is can he keep it there. Remember, he has a lucrative contract with Nike." Terms are "never disclosed but everybody knows it is kind of in that same league" as Woods and Mickelson, so he is "already up there." Chu: "The question then becomes whether or not Jordan Spieth and these other guys can catch up with him" ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 10/28).
