Spurs F Tim Duncan yesterday announced his retirement, and in San Antonio, Madalyn Mendoza noted black and white cars with his No. 21 "filled the map" on Uber's app for the city, "replacing the traditional icons" (MYSANANTONIO.com, 7/11). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes in an era in which the NBA "expertly crafted its superstars into global celebrities, Duncan hid in plain sight." He was "never a national advertiser’s dream, a blustery interview, or a style icon." If he "harbored Hollywood ambitions, he never shared them." He "dressed like a member of the junior high school turtle club" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/12).
TIME STANDS STILL: Omega yesterday launched its Olympic TV ad campaign featuring U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, South African swimmer Chad Le Clos, British Heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia. Starting Aug. 1, the spots will run nationally on both NBC and Golf Channel (THE DAILY).
WINNING TICKET: Mobile lottery app AutoLotto will sponsor NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's No. 6 Ford in the Xfinity Series race on Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The company also serves as title sponsor for the event (AutoLotto).
