USA TODAY's Jeff Olson noted the Indianapolis 500 Host Committee and Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday unveiled plans for a "30-story graphic image on the glass walls of the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis." The image "will be more than twice as large as a similar graphic of the Lombardi Trophy displayed on the hotel’s walls before Super Bowl XLVI was held at nearby Lucas Oil Stadium" in '12. The image "will be seen in full view in May" (USATODAY.com, 4/18). The image will be "accompanied by the words 'Epic Race. Epic Place,'" and a graphic "showing the Borg-Warner Trophy and an Indy car." Indianapolis-based Sport Graphics is the company "dressing up" the hotel. The Indy 500-themed display, "set to cover nearly 75,000 square feet of window space, is the largest one yet" for Sport Graphics (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 4/19).
ARMED & READY: New Mexico State Univ. has accepted a "footwear apparel rights bid from Under Armour," which will replace adidas as the school's "official outfitter effective July 1. NMSU AD Mario Moccia said that the deal "is a five-year agreement, but the contract was not finalized yet." A source said that the pact is "worth just more than double of the $90,000 Adidas agreement." The source added that UA was the "highest of three bids the university received and 16 sports would be equipped with Under Armour apparel and equipment." Other details of the contract, including collegiate licensing and retail, "are still unclear" (LAS CRUCES SUN-NEWS, 4/17).
FLYING THE FRIENDLY SKIES: In L.A., Hugo Martin notes Delta Air Lines "is trying to win over Angelenos" through their love of sports, as the airline is offering fans "free early-boarding privileges to any passenger who shows up at LAX wearing" NHL Kings gear. The offer "lasts throughout the Kings’ NHL playoff run and includes all Kings gear, including hats and jerseys" (L.A. TIMES, 4/17).
NAMES & FACES: Pro Football HOFer Howie Long has entered into a multiyear partnership with Skechers. Long will appear in a campaign that promotes the footwear brand’s comfortable and stylish men’s collections, with his first TV commercial for the company set to launch in time for the NFL season. Long will be featured in a multi-tiered TV, print and digital campaign that is expected to continue across all media through '18 (Skechers)....Thermocare technology company Mission Athletecare yesterday named USWNT MF Carli Lloyd and NYC FC F David Villa brand ambassadors (Mission Athletecare).
