Texans CB Charles James this week said that he is "coming out with a clothing line" that will be in the team's store at NRG Stadium. In Houston, John McClain noted last year, when HBO featured the Texans on "Hard Knocks," James' "colorful sock line got a lot of attention." James said, "I'm selling socks and hats, and I hope everybody likes them." He added, "I definitely sold some socks because of 'Hard Knocks' -- socks make me happy" (CHRON.com, 8/6).
EARNING THEIR STRIPES: In Cincinnati, Steve Watkins noted the Bengals have signed a deal with Fanatics to operate their online team store, in which it will "offer more than 2,000 items." Fanatics’ own apparel and design team also will "create custom Bengals gear throughout the season for sale online." Last year, in mid-October, Bengals' merch sales "ranked 25th despite getting off to a 5-0 start." Fanatics "believes it can boost" those sales (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/8).
SOME KICK TO IT: In Houston, Greg Rajan notes USWNT and NWSL Houston Dash MF Carli Lloyd is "carving out a space for herself on local grocery store shelves" with her "own line of hot sauce." "Carli's Kickin' Hot Sauce" will be available at participating Houston-area Kroger stores "for a limited time." The sauce also can be purchased "online via Pittsburgh-based PLB Sports, which also markets food named after a half-dozen current and former MLB and NFL players" (CHRON.com, 8/8).
WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE: In Chicago, Phil Thompson noted "NBA 2K17" created digital versions for each of the '92 Olympic Dream Team members, but the Internet "was less than pleased with the results" -- particularly Michael Jordan's image. Jordan's facial features "look shrunken and a bit distorted." Scottie Pippen "actually had the most flattering rendering." Meanwhile, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Karl Malone look more like "henchmen Jason Statham would kick through a plate-glass window" in one of his movies "than their Hall-of-Fame alter egos" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/8).
