ANAHEIM
Ducks add features to mobile app
The Anaheim Ducks launched version 2.0 of the team’s mobile application for smartphones, available on the iPhone, Android and BlackBerry platforms. Created by Orange County-based B3 Connect, version 2.0 features a new Fantasy Five game that lets users select a fantasy team of Ducks players for upcoming games and compete against other fans for prizes.
Ducks, Honda seek top fan
The Ducks have partnered with Honda for the 2012 Honda CR-V Ducks Fan Photo Contest. Fans can submit photos of themselves dressed in Ducks gear in front of a Honda vehicle to qualify as a semifinalist. Eighteen semifinalists will be invited to attend Fan Appreciation Night at Honda Center on April 1, when five randomly chosen finalists will participate in the on-ice giveaway of a 2012 Honda CR-V.
ATLANTA
Falcons add limited partner
The Atlanta Falcons added Brian Barker as a limited partner of the franchise, though Arthur Blank will continue to hold more than 90 percent of the team. Barker is owner and CEO of AFS, a domestic freight forwarding company based in Shreveport, La.
Braves have new club space
The Atlanta Braves will debut an exclusive club at Turner Field for the 2012 season. The Georgia’s Own Credit Union Club will be located adjacent to the press box on the first-base side and will feature valet parking, upscale food and in-seat wait service. Tables are available for multiple-year leases starting at $14,580 for a two-seat table or $27,540 for a four-seat table.
Runners root for Hawks
For each Atlanta Hawks home victory from Jan. 16-21, Publix Georgia Marathon registrants received a discount equal to the total number of Hawks points in excess of the opposing team’s score. For example, the Hawks won by nine points on Jan. 16, so runners received $9 off the registration cost when registering on Jan. 17. The discount was only valid the day after each win. The Hawks had three home games during the week; the Publix Georgia Marathon is March 18.
CHICAGO
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Pavel Pardo, Cory Gibbs and Logan Pause sport the home (red) and away (blue) jerseys.
Photo by: BRIAN KERSEY / CHICAGO FIRE SOCCER CLUB
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Quaker finds home on Fire jerseys
The Chicago Fire named Quaker as the team’s official breakfast foods and nutritious snacks partner. The centerpiece of the partnership is the placement of the Quaker logo on the team’s new 2012 jersey. This is the second jersey sponsor in the club’s 15-year history.
Sodexo signs on with Fire
Sodexo has replaced Levy Restaurants as the Fire’s food provider at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Levy operated food service at Toyota Park since the MLS stadium opened in 2006.
Cubs adding patio space, signage
The Chicago Cubs are adding patio space in the right-field bleacher section at Wrigley Field ahead of the 2012 season. The Budweiser Patio will include a 75-foot LED sign installed above the right-field wall with the capability to display game information. The patio can handle a group of 150 people, or three groups of 50 each, or may be sold on an individual basis.
CLEVELAND
The Q will serve up Georgio’s pizza
Georgio’s Oven Fresh Pizza Co. has become the official pizza of Quicken Loans Arena and the NBA Cavaliers in a new partnership. The Beachwood, Ohio-based pizza chain has 40 locations in Northeast Ohio. DiGiorno was the Cavs’ pizza partner last season.
Captains plan Valentine’s dinner suites
The Lake County Captains, Class A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, are offering a Valentine’s Day-themed dinner for couples at Classic Park on Feb. 11. Each couple that books a reservation by Feb. 1 receives a meal served in the privacy of their own party suite at the ballpark. The cost of the package, which is limited to the first 20 couples to respond, is $100 per couple.
COLUMBUS
Jackets reach multiyear deal with jeweler
The Columbus Blue Jackets agreed to a new multiyear partnership with Meyers Jewelers. The deal is highlighted by title sponsorship of the premium-seating area at Nationwide Arena that has four seats located between the home and visiting team benches. That area will be called the Meyers Jewelers Jewelry Box.
Jackets add perks to career fair
The Blue Jackets’ seventh annual career fair is set for Feb. 9 at Nationwide Arena. Sports teams, college programs and other businesses are scheduled to attend. The complete registration package includes entry to the event, a panel discussion featuring sports executives, a Blue Jackets hat and a ticket to the team’s game that night against Dallas. Advance registration is $26; day-of event registration is $36.
DALLAS
FC Dallas switches to Legends
FC Dallas signed a 15-year deal with Legends Hospitality Management to operate concessions and premium dining at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The concessions company, co-owned by the Dallas Cowboys, took over last week at the seven-year-old facility, where Centerplate and Sodexo previously managed food service.
DURHAM, N.H.
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Winners Amanda McMeniman and Ed McCabe (in jerseys) join mascot Gnarlz; Lexus representative Nick Chartier; BMW dealer Joel Ginsburg; and BMW client adviser John Parker.
Photo by: GIL TALBOT
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UNH helps fans drive to Fenway
The University of New Hampshire held a sweepstakes dubbed Drive 2 Fenway that called for two fans to drive either a BMW or Lexus to the Frozen Fenway hockey games Jan. 7 in Boston. Learfield Sports’ Wildcat Sports Properties spearheaded the promotion.
EDMONTON
Icon named arena project manager
Icon Venue Group was named project manager for the Edmonton Oilers’ planned new downtown arena, according to an Edmonton Sun report. The Edmonton City Council is expected to be presented with a 12 percent schematic design in June and will receive a 60 percent design in about a year, according to the report. The arena design will have 18,400 seats.
HOUSTON
Astros ready for offseason tour
The Houston Astros 2012 CAREavan will hit the road Feb. 1, with three days of visits throughout central and south Texas, a trip to Oklahoma City, and five days in the Houston area. Each day will include free public autograph sessions at Academy Sports + Outdoors stores. More than 30 Astros players, alumni, coaches and front-office staff members will take part in the caravan.
INDIANAPOLIS
Stadium manager predicts Super loss
The Capital Improvement Board, which manages Lucas Oil Stadium, expects to lose money from hosting Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, according to an Indianapolis Business Journal report. The CIB is budgeting for total Super Bowl expenses of $8 million and revenue of nearly $7.2 million, leaving a loss of $810,000.
KANSAS CITY
Royals say it’s ‘Our Time’
The Kansas City Royals have a new seasonlong campaign and tag line: “Our Time.” The logo features the tag line set within the shape of the iconic Royals shield and crown. The retro-based design replaces last year’s tag line, “Major League Moments” and ties in with the Royals and Kauffman Stadium hosting the MLB All-Star Game this season.
Pitcher wants your jokes
The Royals, in conjunction with pitcher and team funnyman Bruce Chen, have a Joke of the Day promotion for the 2012 season. Fans are encouraged to submit their favorite funny line for an opportunity to have it delivered by Chen on the CrownVision video board during a home game. Fans may submit their joke in 300 characters or less at www.royals.com/jokes by Feb. 10.
MIAMI
Marathon signs Baptist Health
Baptist Health South Florida entered into an agreement with US Road Sports & Entertainment of Florida to serve as the official medical sponsor of Sunday’s ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon. Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from Baptist Health South Florida will be available to assist runners.
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Miami has been among the top 10 teams in NBA retail sales every year since 2002.
Photo by: DAVID ALVAREZ / MIAMI HEAT
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Heat wins retailer award
The Heat was named the 2011 Team Retailer of the Year by the NBA for its successful merchandise sales during the 2010-11 season. The Heat is the only three-time winner of the award. The combined total sales of the team’s three retail outlets for the 2010-11 season led to a 154 percent increase in sales over the prior season.
Heat designates Del Monte
The Miami Heat entered into a multiyear partnership with Del Monte Fresh Produce, making the fruit distributor the official fresh fruit of the team. The partnership also includes exposure on Heat.com and the team’s social media pages, courtside and LED signage, and exposure on the MiamiMediaMesh system at AmericanAirlines Arena.
NEWARK, N.J.
Devils have new fantasy game
The New Jersey Devils reached an agreement with Hotbox Sports and the New Jersey Lottery on a new interactive fan initiative for this season. Devils fans will have the opportunity to win prizes every month playing Devils Fantasy Challenge using the Devils roster. The New Jersey Lottery secured the title sponsorship of the new game.
NEW YORK
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Forest City Ratner Cos. Chairman and CEO Bruce Ratner joined workers at the event.
Photo by: ERROL ANDERSON
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Workers top out Barclays Center
Forest City Ratner Cos., Hunt Construction Group, Banker Steel, J.F. Stearns Co., Onexim Sports & Entertainment, and the New Jersey Nets celebrated the topping out of Barclays Center in a ceremony at the arena site in Brooklyn. The event marked the significant milestone of the completion of the 10,400 pounds of structural steel for the building.
MSG, Chase expand sponsorship deal
Madison Square Garden Co. and Chase expanded their sponsorship deal to make Chase the official card of MSG. Chase credit
and debit card holders will have exclusive access to events and experiences tied to MSG’s multiple venues and sports franchises.
Nets highlight Williams in ticket push
New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams is the centerpiece of the team’s final phase in its All Access season-ticket campaign for Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The comprehensive advertising campaign includes elements such as 300 taxi tops, several billboards, and kiosks in Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as direct mail.
PHILADELPHIA
‘Fan Zone’ opens at arena
Comcast-Spectacor opened a 4,800-square-foot store called Fan Zone at Wells Fargo Center, home of the NHL Flyers and NBA 76ers. The Fan Zone is the result of partnerships with Adidas and Reebok and will feature both NHL and NBA licensed apparel. The store was designed by Hooper Shiles Architects and built by Bock Construction and is operated by Aramark.
City hosts lacrosse convention
US Lacrosse held its national convention in Philadelphia earlier this month, and city officials estimate that the economic impact to Philadelphia of having hosted the event was $9 million. Lacrosse coaches, officials and administrators attended the convention. US Lacrosse has already committed to holding the annual event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center again in 2013 and 2014.
PHOENIX
D-Backs plan annual fan fest
The Arizona Diamondbacks will hold the eighth annual Subway D-Backs FanFest on Feb. 11 at Chase Field. The free event will offer fans access to current players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters, including autograph and photo sessions on the field. Last year’s event drew more than 12,000 fans to the ballpark.
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLA.
Pricewaterhouse renews with tour event
Pricewaterhouse Coopers renewed its sponsorship of The Players. The accounting firm signed on to be one of the golf tournament’s two Proud Partners through 2017. Terms of the sponsorship were not disclosed. The Proud Partners are the PGA Tour tournament’s major sponsors. The other Proud Partner is Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors.
SACRAMENTO
Hundreds attend Kings film premiere
The Jan. 9 premiere of the documentary film about the Sacramento Kings drew more than 800 people, the filmmakers said. “Small Market, Big Heart” chronicles the community’s quest to keep the Sacramento Kings in town and build a new arena. Further distribution of the movie is pending.
SAN ANTONIO
Sports group to receive grant funding
San Antonio Sports was selected to receive grant funding in support of Paralympic sports and physical activity programs for disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces. More than $4.4 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has been awarded to 95 community organizations, such as San Antonio Sports, around the country.
SAN DIEGO
Chargers won’t increase ticket prices
The San Diego Chargers’ season-ticket prices will remain flat, marking the fifth consecutive season with no price increase. The team has not raised prices since after the 2007 season and last year lowered the price of 6,500 Endzone View season tickets by nearly 15 percent.
SALT LAKE CITY
U.S. Bank jazzes up check cards
Utah Jazz sponsor U.S. Bank unveiled a new Jazz check card design. In addition to the new card, U.S. Bank offers the opportunity for Jazz fans to participate in the Co-Captain of the Game contest. The winner is awarded two game tickets, the opportunity to join the captains on the court for the pregame meeting with the officials and opposing team captains, a photo opportunity with a Jazz player, and a Jazz jersey.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
Acura returning to waterfront race
Acura is slated to return to the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as marquee sponsor and host of the Acura Yacht Club and the Acura Sports Car Challenge. Financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. The grand prix is scheduled March 23-25 on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn waterfront circuit.
TULSA, OKLA.
Oral Roberts extends with Veritix
Oral Roberts University retained Veritix as its primary ticket provider in a multiyear extension. Veritix has provided ticketing services for the school’s athletic programs since 2006. Oral Roberts is a member of the Summit League but is set to join the Southland Conference in July.
WALLA WALLA, WASH.
Sweets welcome official tire partner
Les Schwab Tire Centers joined forces with the Walla Walla Sweets to become the exclusive tire retailer of the West Coast League team. The new multiyear relationship includes brand integration throughout Borleske Stadium, as well as fan activation and exposure on the team website. The Walla Walla Sweets log more than 4,500 miles a year on the road.
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