SPONSORSHIP BRIEFS

AutoNation sites back Miami
AutoNation in Fort Lauderdale, one of the country’s largest automotive retailers, said its Maroone dealerships in south Florida kicked off a corporate sponsorship of the University of Miami’s athletic department Sept. 8 at the Hurricanes’ first home game of the college football season. Maroone dealerships have been giving away 3,000 game tickets to customers who test-drive vehicles at any of the 26 Maroone locations.

Verizon aboard the Broncos
Cell phone company Verizon Wireless has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with the Denver Broncos. The value of the agreement wasn’t announced, but Verizon will have signs at Invesco Field at Mile High and will sell its products at some home games.

Tiger still in game at EA
Electronic Arts reached agreement on a five-year extension of its deal with Tiger Woods for the Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf video game title. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Woods has been with Electronic Arts since 1998.

AXA signs for Sanex tourney
French financial services giant AXA Group has signed on as a sponsor of the Sanex Championships next month in Munich, Germany. The season-ending women’s tennis tournament is occurring in Germany for the first time, after 29 years in New York. The AXA sponsorship is thought to cost slightly more than $100,000.

Dealerships on drag strip
Longo Toyota, Longo Lexus and Penske Honda will be the presenting sponsors of the new quarter-mile Street Legal Drag Strip at California Speedway in Fontana.

Zippo re-ups for Grand Prix
Watkins Glen International announced that Zippo Manufacturing Co., makers of Zippo lighters, has re-upped for three years on sponsorship of the Zippo U.S. Vintage Grand Prix. Zippo has been with the race since 1993.