Duracell, sponsor of the NFL and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, began running a promoted tweet yesterday morning around its endorsements (THE DAILY).
Boxer Deontay Wilder last night became the first heavyweight champion from the U.S. since '06 by defeating Bermane Stiverne to win the World Boxing Council belt before a crowd of 8,463 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena -- "about half of what the place can hold if they squeeze" (L.A. TIMES, 1/18).
More than 6,000 MLB Cardinals fans yesterday "came to the opening of the three-day" Winter Warm-Up event at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 1/18).
At today's NFC and AFC Championship Games, women's-rights group UltraViolet will again "fly banners with a three-word message: 'Goodell Must Go.'" UltraViolet in September "flew banners at select games for multiple weeks in the immediate aftermath of the release of the Ray Rice in-elevator video" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 1/18).
UFC yesterday announced that it "has fined light heavyweight champion Jon Jones $25,000 for violating its Athlete Code of Conduct policy" after testing positive for traces of cocaine "during a random urine test" (ESPN.com, 1/17).
The Fire on Friday "announced an affiliation agreement" with a new USL Pro team in St. Louis to begin with the '15 season (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/17).
A source said that SAC Founder and Mets investor Steven Cohen has indicated he "won't bid" for the Nets "after his representatives met with bankers handling the team’s sale" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 1/18).
On the eve of the start of the '15 Australian Open, WME-IMG announced that it signed tennis player Nick Kyrgios for marketing and management representation (IMG).
Bills QB E.J. Manuel has signed with Relativity Sports for representation. Relativity Football CEO and NFL agent Eugene Parker will represent him. He was formerly represented by Dimensional Sports (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer).
