The GUARDIAN's Giles Richards reports F1 has signed deal with Heineken "for five years and is set to conclude at the end" of the '20 season. The company "declined to discuss how much it had paid," although values up to US$144M have been reported. Heineken "has made a point of stressing it will be bringing innovation to promote the sport, specifically in social media and expect the relationship to further increase the visibility and popularity of F1 in new markets around the world" (GUARDIAN, 6/10). Heineken will take over signage "at key races ... and becoming the sport’s 'exclusive global beer partner'" (LONDON TIMES, 6/10).
CALL TO THE PEN: On Long Island, David Lennon notes the Yankees introduced "newly minted black T-shirts" featuring the "NO RUNS DMC" nickname for Ps Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman. The logo has the numbers 68, 48 and 54 "etched along the bottom." The back "featured the iconic silhouettes of the three rappers -- not relievers -- to complete the look." The sales pitch "began before any of the relievers entered the game Thursday night, with the shirts being modeled in the TV booth as well as mentioned on radio" (NEWSDAY, 6/10).
BRAND BATTLE: In DC, Joon Lee notes while Nationals RF Bryce Harper's face "is plastered on billboards across the country as one of the faces of Under Armour," Orioles 3B Manny Machado "is, to a certain extent, just another guy for Jordan Brand and Nike." However, from a performance standpoint, the debate "isn’t as black and white" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/10).
