In Philadelphia, Jason Nark notes local sporting goods stores are "reporting their best months," fueled by jersey sales for Eagles QB Carson Wentz. None of the city's pro franchises "casts a net as wide as the Eagles." New Jersey-based Fan Treasures Owner Randy Benipal said, "This is the best September I've ever had. It's all Wentz" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/30).
TREE OF LIFE : In Milwaukee, Paul Gores notes Hallmark stores on Saturday are "set to begin selling Keepsake Christmas ornaments" of Packers WR Jordy Nelson. This "comes a year after local stores could not keep enough ornaments" of Packers LB Clay Matthews "on the shelves." Milwaukee-based Fredrick's Hallmark District Manager Josh Umhoefer said, "We sold out in like 10 or 11 days, and we begged Hallmark, 'Is there any way we can get more?'" Hallmark has "found over the years" that the Packers and Steelers "have strong fan bases." An ornament of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers marketed during the '14 holiday season was also "a top seller, at least in Wisconsin" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 9/30).
CAPTAIN KIRK: In DC, Dan Steinberg reported Redskins QB Kirk Cousins has signed a sponsorship deal with Virginia Tire & Auto, which "happens to be the same shop that services his 16-year-old conversion van." Cousins will appear in "radio spots, print ads and in-store marketing." Cousins "recorded the radio spots and did his photo shoot this week; the official print ads are still in the works" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/29).
DOG DAYS: In Minneapolis, Paul Walsh writes the Vikings have "wandered well into Packers territory" to secure their "sole provider of hot dogs at home games for this season and the next." Wisconsin-based Schweigert also said that it "locked up an accompanying agreement with Aramark food services that makes it the lone hot dog provider at U.S. Bank Stadium not only for Vikings games but for any event staged at the new venue in downtown Minneapolis" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/30).
