The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Sara Germano reports with the Rio Games track and field events being roughly 45-to-60 minutes away from the athlete's village, agent Paul Doyle is "evaluating" options for his client, U.S. decathlete Aston Eaton, "with the help of the athlete's sponsor, Nike." Doyle said that he has been "scrambling in recent days to try to figure out alternate lodging and transportation options for the defending Olympian champion." Doyle added that early conversations with Nike have included possibly "renting apartments near the facilities or renting a helicopter." However, a helicopter is "unlikely because of restricted air space around the Olympics" (WSJ.com, 7/7).
YOU'RE HIRED: In Phoenix, Amy Wang examines Dick's Sporting Goods' "Contenders" program, which has "hired nearly 200 Olympic athletes and Olympic hopefuls to work at 89 of its retail stores." The Dick's program allows the athletes to have a "steady job that offers flexible schedules to accommodate the often intense training and travel requirements of elite athletes." Dick's VP/Brand & Sports Marketing Ryan Eckel said, "We have these amazingly, incredibly inspiring people in our stores, interacting with people every day. They just generate so much pride within the company" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 7/7).
ON THE OUTSKIRTS: In Oregon, Elon Glucklich notes although Nike has an exclusive branding agreement at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials, a walk just beyond Hayward Field shows a "battle for eyeballs and wallets can be seen unfolding among companies shut out of the official games." Non-sponsors have "paid businesses or property owners near Hayward Field to sell their merchandise, deck employees out in company gear or simply display banners for the thousands of daily passerby to see on their way to the and from the events" (Eugene REGISTER-GUARD, 7/7).
LOUNGE ACT: Visa will create five VIP lounges exclusively for Visa Chase United Cardmembers to celebrate the Rio Games. The lounges will offer exclusive experiences in Rio, L.A., S.F., Chicago and N.Y. (Visa).
