FOXSPORTS.com's Nate Scott noted Jordan Brand is celebrating March Madness with the release of a "school-color series of the AJ XXXI Lows for its five college basketball schools -- Cal, Georgetown, UNC, Michigan and Marquette." The shoes and shooting shirts in the collection "will be available March 7 on Jordan.com" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/1).
PAINT SUPPLY: MOTORSPORT.com's Lee Spencer noted Axalta Coating Systems, a long-time Hendrick and JR Motorsports supporter, is "expanding its support to include primary sponsorship" for JRM's No. 9 Chevy and William Byron in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for 15 races for this season and next season. The relationship with JRM dates back to '08 (MOTORSPORT.com, 3/1).
LADY SHARKS: The Greg Norman Collection has been named an official branded merchandise licensee for the LPGA for the next two years, including at this year's Solheim Cup. The brand will produce co-branded men's and women's wear for the LPGA for sale across its retail distribution channels, at LPGA events, in green grass shops, golf specialty stores and in sporting good chains (Greg Norman Collection).
DOCTOR KNOWS BEST: In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta noted the USL Charlotte Independence have named Novant Health their "new presenting sponsor, meaning the logo" of the club's new official health care provider "will appear on the team’s jerseys, website, print materials and signage" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 3/1). OrthoCarolina was previously the team's jersey sponsor (THE DAILY).
