SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's John Lombardo reports Hyundai plans to "feature its new Genesis luxury brand as title sponsor of the longtime PGA Tour stop at Riviera Country Club starting next year." It marks the "first sports sponsorship for Genesis." The brand’s selection comes after Hyundai announced in January that it "would replace Northern Trust" as the tournament’s title sponsor. The newly named Genesis Open will be held Feb. 13-19 next year. Hyundai "launched its Genesis brand last year" and has plans to "add six new models to the car line" by '20 (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/27 issue).
HIGH TIDE: Nissan on Friday announced Titans RB Derrick Henry as part of its "Heisman House" campaign, and the rookie was at the car brand's HQ in Nashville to receive a '16 Nissan Titan XD Platinum Reserve edition. As part of the campaign, Henry will appear in a series of broadcast and social media vignettes set to air throughout the college football season. The first spots are scheduled to air Sept. 1 (Nissan).
CLIP & SAVE: FOXSPORTS.com's Tom Jensen noted Toyota and the Northern California Toyota Dealers have "signed a three-year agreement to remain as co-title sponsor" of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway. Toyota is also the "title sponsor of the raceway's NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing event, the Toyota NHRA Sonoma Nationals" (FOXSPORTS.com, 6/26).
SOLO ACT: In Miami, Nancy Dahlberg reported USWNT G Hope Solo has "endorsed Shanti Bar as her 'performance bar of choice.'" The 100% raw, vegan and organic energy and protein bars are "sold in more than 150 venues" in South Florida. They also are distributed nationally in New York, Colorado, California, Georgia, Oregon and Nevada (MIAMIHERALD.com, 6/26).
