In DC, Scott Allen reported the Redskins "will give away" thousands of "You Like That?!" rally towels inspired by QB Kirk Cousins to fans at Sunday’s Wild Card game at FedExField. The white towels feature the logo for Int'l Justice Mission, a DC-based charitable organization dedicated to "protecting the poor from violence in developing countries." Proceeds from the sales of Cousins’ "You Like That" T-shirts have "benefited IJM" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/5).
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: In Minneapolis, Michael Rand noted while Delta "has hubs in both Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle," the airline's Twitter account yesterday "put out a tweet celebrating the fan group of the Seahawks, ending the tweet with #GoHawks." Delta is the "official airline of the Seahawks," but it is "also the official airline of the Vikings," the Seahawks' opponent in Sunday's NFC Wild Card playoff game (STARTRIBUNE.com, 1/6).
BRAVING THE ELEMENTS: In Minneapolis, John Ewoldt reports Minnesota-based WSI Sports will be "making cold-weather, high-performance shirts, socks and gloves" for both the Vikings and the Seahawks to wear during Sunday's game. The company, which has 12 employees, has "expanded its focus from general consumers to elite athletes" in the last five years." WSI Founder Joel Wiens said, "The Seahawks wore our product when they won the Super Bowl two years ago." He added that he "charged about $20,000 for a team to get WSI’s socks, gloves and shirts." Wiens: "Nike won’t be happy. They’ll be wondering why the players aren’t wearing their gear" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/7).
MR. GREEN JEANS: Levi Strauss & Co. will be an official founding legacy partner of the S.F. Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. As part of its deal, Levi’s will be the presenting sponsor of the Host Committee’s main entertainment stage at Super Bowl City. The stage will feature live musical, cultural and performing arts entertainers, with Alicia Keys headlining the festivities on Feb. 6th (Levi Strauss & Co.).
