The Verizon IndyCar Series today will embark on a new marketing campaign that builds off last year’s “Rivals” effort. Starting with a new national TV spot and eventually incorporating digital, social, radio and print elements, IndyCar will leverage drivers including defending champion Will Power to push the notion that they are rivals on and off the track. The new campaign also will seek to emphasize the new Aero Kit chassis that Chevy and Honda introduced to the sport this season.
In the new spot, created in conjunction with Johnson & Wolverton, N.Y., drivers including Power, Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay are seen careening around a course as a voiceover states, “Do these rivals chase speed because they can, or because they can’t help it?” The '15 IndyCar season begins Sunday in St. Petersburg.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors has unanimously signed off on a "six-month agreement to negotiate directly with the city and its private development partner, Floyd Kephart, on redeveloping" the Coliseum complex and building a new Raiders stadium. The three parties "could enter into a development deal for the site later this year." A commitment from the Raiders is "no longer being required of Kephart," who only has to produce "refined terms and conditions required to obtain a commitment" from the team and "a projected schedule for obtaining a commitment" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 3/25).
MLS today is expected to announce that the Twin Cities "will be home to an expansion team." NASL club Minnesota United FC Owner Bill McGuire has partnered with Twins Owner Jim Pohlad and T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor "in his effort to secure an MLS franchise." It is expected that the club will begin MLS play "as soon as 2018" (TWINCITIES.com, 3/23). The announcement at Target Field, featuring McGuire and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, will be streamed live at 12:00pm ET on MLSSoccer.com (MLS).
The NBA this morning announced that the Hornets and Clippers will play in China as part of the league’s Global Games China schedule this fall. The two teams will play in Shenzhen on Oct. 11 at Shenzhen Universiade Center and on Oct. 14 at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai. It is the first time the NBA will play in Shenzhen and the first time the Hornets will play in China. The Clippers played preseason games in the country in '12. “We saw it as another opportunity to leverage potential corporate sponsors and grow the brand in one of the fastest growing areas,” said Hornets President & COO Fred Whitfield.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar last night on ESPN's "SportsCenter" said he is "officially closing the door on MMA" after he re-signed Monday night with the WWE. Lesnar: "The offer on the table I just could not refuse." ESPN's Michelle Beadle asked if UFC President Dana White had "any words for you on the decision.” Lesnar: “No, absolutely not. You can't force somebody to get in the cage and fight, that's not the business.”
Lesnar said, "I thought about this for a year and at the end of the day it's all about me wanting to have fun and the money is great but the lifestyle, for me to get back in the octagon and for the last two-and-a-half months I've been training. I've been training to get back into the octagon and felt physically great. But something lacked mentally and that's not good" (ESPN, 3/24).
WWE and Authentic Brands Group today will announce they have entered into a 50/50 joint venture for the TapouT brand, which the two companies are repositioning as a fitness lifestyle brand. TapouT, whose roots are in MMA, now becomes the official fitness and training partner of WWE, and WWE talent will be provided with TapouT brand apparel for training purposes. WWE will promote the brand on its cable broadcasts, PPV productions, at live events and via digital platforms including the WWE Network. The announcement coincides with the build-up to Sunday's WrestleMania 31 at Levi's Stadium.
Bills Owner Terry Pegula said that he "would not oppose an NFL franchise in Toronto." Pegula: "I don't think I would have a problem with it if they could support the team. It’s a big enough market. I don’t know how that works with the CFL, though. ... I believe I was asked that question when I was approved as an owner, and it was an affirmative answer to the league. I said I would support it if Toronto had a franchise" (TORONOTO SUN, 3/24).
The seventh annual Congressional Hockey Challenge will be played this morning at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the DC team's practice facility. Supported by a number of partners including the NHL, the Capitals, Bridgestone and UPS, the event pits U.S. lawmakers versus lobbyists in a charity game, along with additional guests such as former players and members of the Canadian Parliament. Proceeds from the event benefit hockey-related charities. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also will announce the recipients of the '15 NHL/Thurgood Marshall scholarship later today in DC.
UEFA elected President Michel Platini, who ran unopposed, to “a third consecutive four-year term” (WSJ.com, 3/24).
A bill legalizing MMA is heading to the New York State Assembly after the State Senate yesterday voted 47-14 in favor of the bill “for the sixth consecutive year” (NEWSDAY, 3/25).
The MLB Giants and KTRB-AM have reached a five-year contract keeping Giants games on ESPN Deportes Radio through the ’19 season (Giants).
The Single-A New York-Penn League Aberdeen IronBirds will host the league’s All-Star Game on Aug. 18 at Ripken Stadium (Baltimore SUN, 3/25).
Sky Sports announced that it had “secured the rights” to the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout and “will televise it on Sky Box Office pay-per-view” in the U.K. (ESPN.com, 3/24).
Nationwide runs a full-page ad in USA Today feting Jack Nicklaus for receiving a Congressional Gold Medal: “Congratulations, Jack Nicklaus, for a golden achievement” (THE DAILY).
“We love headline porn, and this is about as headline-porn as you can get until somebody else screws up” – Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, on the criticism the Cowboys are receiving for signing DE Greg Hardy (“BaD Radio,” KTCK-AM, 3/24).
“Everything we do in our business, every decision I make, there’s risk involved. I understand that. And then it’s just on me to be thorough through the whole process” – Bears GM Ryan Pace, on signing DT Ray McDonald despite recent accusations of domestic abuse and sexual assault (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/25).
“The one thing I didn’t like was the move to Brooklyn. I think if the rink would have been built here, it should be here on the island. There was probably a good chance I still would be here” – Wild LW Thomas Vanek, saying the Islanders' upcoming move to Barclays played a part in his decision to the leave the team via free agency (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 3/24).
“We’re trying to act like an MLS club now, and as you know MLS clubs have the responsibility of running academy programs” – Sacramento Republic FC President Warren Smith, on plans for the USL team to launch a Soccer Development Academy (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/25).
“Obviously I love Justin Bieber so I’m trying to get him to join the band but he’s not doing it right now” – Golfer Bubba Watson, jokingly referring to his “boy band” that includes fellow golfers Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan and Ben Crane (TMZ.com, 3/24).
ESPN’s Keith Olbermanncalled out his “world’s worst” persons in sports: Reds 2B Brandon Phillips for railing against the on-base percentage stat. Olbermann also put on notice Nationals broadcaster F.P. Santangelo for discussing the team’s starting pitchers, including “Matt Scherzer,” who is actually a “21-year-old software developer” in Mexico and not Nationals P Max Scherzer, and the NFL for announcing it will stream the Bills-Jaguars game from London online.
Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” led with Heat-Bucks, followed by Warriors-Trail Blazers, Lakers-Thunder, the possibility of Cubs 3B Kris Bryant making the Opening Day roster and Canadiens-Predators. Last night’s 11:00pm ET edition of FS1’s “Fox Sports Live” led with Spurs-Mavericks, followed by Lakers-Thunder, Warriors-Trail Blazers and Kings-Rangers. The first MLB report on FS1 was an excerpt from an interview with Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki 40 minutes into the broadcast.
The N.Y. TIMES goes with the header, "MLS Takes The Next Step, But Its Fans Are One Ahead." The league is "trying to reach the highest levels of world soccer," but maybe its fans "know too much for the good of MLS."
The Brew Kettle in Strongsville, Ohio, will release the “All For One” India Pale Ale, which was crafted in conjunction with the Cavaliers. The session IPA will be available at Quicken Loans Arena.
The D-Backs will unveil the new dining options at Chase Field during a media event at the ballpark.
Spanning The Global....
The most-read Global stories today on SportsBusinessDaily.com:
UFC fighter Ronda Rousey appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” last night, with host Jimmy Fallon saying to her, “Thank you so much for coming on this show. You look gorgeous.” Rousey replied, “Thank you. You look gorgeous.” Fallon noted Rousey was “just in Albany” speaking with N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the state not sanctioning pro MMA. Rousey: “They have amateur MMA in New York, but there's no athletic commission to oversee it. There's like 1,600 New Yorkers that fought amateur last year with no medical testing, no drug testing and the referees aren't educated. It's the most dangerous place to do MMA.” Rousey said, “They're like making these crazy arguments that it's anti-woman. This is the most pro-woman sport in the world. I'm the No. 1 draw in all the UFC and I'm a woman” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 3/24).
WWE wrestler Roman Reigns appeared on TBS’ “Conan” last night, with host Conan O’Brien calling him “one of the most popular figures” in the WWE. O’Brien said, “You’re a big star, very cool and I was first taken with the hair. We've both gone a different way. Mine goes up like a French dessert. You were like, king of the jungle.” Reigns said, “Going for a bit of a Tarzan look.” Reigns said of his "Spear" signature move: “I played football from the age of seven so for me it's an open-field tackle. It just made sense. I played college football, a hiccup of pro football and once I transferred from the gridiron to the wrestling ring, it was a no-brainer” (“Conan,” TBS, 3/24).
Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly appeared on last night’s edition of CBS’ “Late Show” and discussed whether or not Pete Rose belongs in the Baseball HOF. O’Reilly said, “I want amnesty for Pete Rose. He made a mistake. He paid a price and the guy’s a fabulous baseball player. So let’s bring him back” (“Late Show,” CBS, 3/24).
Last night’s edition of NBC’s “Tonight Show” featured the regular segment “Pros and Cons” in which host Jimmy Fallon discussed the pros and cons of watching the NCAA Tournament.
SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini....
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SBJ I Factor features an interview with Molly Mazzolini. Elevate's Senior Operating Advisor – Design + Strategic Alliances chats with SBJ’s Ross Nethery about the power of taking chances. Mazzolini is a member of the SBJ Game Changers Class of 2016. She shares stories of her career including co-founding sports design consultancy Infinite Scale career journey and how a chance encounter while working at a stationery store launched her career in the sports industry.
SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.
On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two...
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On this week’s pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp has two Big Get interviews. The first is with Molly Solomon, who will lead NBC’s production of the Olympics, and she shares what the network is are planning for Paris 2024. Later in the show, we hear from ESPN’s P.K. Subban as the Stanley Cup Playoffs get set to start this weekend. SBJ’s Josh Carpenter also joins the show to share his insights from this year’s Masters, while Karp dishes on how the WNBA Draft’s record-breaking viewership is setting the league up for a new stratosphere of numbers.
