ANAHEIM
Ducks fans eat Hormel chili
The Anaheim Ducks and the Honda Center signed a partnership with Hormel Foods. Hormel becomes the exclusive chili provider for team and arena and will have a presence on concourse screens and concession stands, on in-arena LED screens, and in editions of game-day publication Ducks Digest.
BOSTON
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| Medway, Mass.-based That’s My Ticket specializes in customized memorabilia. |
Fenway tickets get customized
Licensed sports ticket display maker That’s My Ticket has a new line of Boston Red Sox products marking the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park. Actual ticket information from the centennial commemorative April 20 game is incorporated directly into the products. Also, a Tickets to History print features 19 images of historical Red Sox tickets from the past 100 years.
BUFFALO
Bills, M&T partner for draft contest
The Buffalo Bills and M&T Bank are partnering for the sixth annual M&T Bank Draft Day Challenge. Fans who correctly guess the Bills’ first pick will be entered to win a prize package that includes an exclusive meet-and-greet with the top draft pick.
Arena gets prospects game
USA Hockey will stage the first All-American Prospects Game on Sept. 29 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo. The game will include 40 of the top American-born prospects eligible for the 2013 NHL draft. USA Hockey will reveal the players selected this summer.
CHICAGO
Dr Pepper signs Bears contract
The Chicago Bears and Dr Pepper Snapple Group agreed to a seven-year marketing deal. DPS joins the Bears as a hall of fame level partner and will be the exclusive provider of carbonated soft drinks and other beverages at Soldier Field. DPS also will be the title partner of Bears training camp.
Sox offer tickets to service members
The Chicago White Sox this year will continue to offer all active duty military personnel complimentary individual-game tickets to select 2012 home games. The program, which began in 2002, provides one free game ticket to any service member who shows active duty military identification at U.S. Cellular Field on the day of a game.
COLUMBUS
Jackets renew Stanley Steemer
Stanley Steemer renewed its sponsorship as the official carpet cleaner of the Columbus Blue Jackets. As part of the deal, Stanley Steemer will continue to sponsor one of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machines at Nationwide Arena.
DALLAS
FC Dallas signs energy partner
TXU Energy signed on with FC Dallas as the MLS team’s exclusive energy partner through 2013. TXU Energy will join FC Dallas in the North Texas State Soccer Association Tour and in supporting the FC Dallas Foundation Community Clinics presented by Cash America.
DENVER
CHL expansion team awarded
The Central Hockey League awarded Denver an expansion club, with the franchise expected to begin play this fall. The new team — whose name, colors and logo have yet to be determined — is owned by John Hayes, CEO of Ball Corp. The team will play at Denver Coliseum.
Firm to manage St. Croix project
Denver-based real estate company Craft DeLay won the contract to serve as project manager for the Paul E. Joseph Stadium on St. Croix in the Virgin Islands. The $55 million sports complex will serve as a venue for sanctioned events in swimming, volleyball, baseball and tennis.
EDMONTON
Local firm to manage Oilers project
Locally based PCL Construction will manage construction of the proposed Edmonton Oilers arena if the project gets the final green light, according to an Edmonton Sun report. The city is continuing its work on a contract with the group.
JACKSONVILLE
Suns to rise on broadcast TV
The Jacksonville Suns have partnered with local CW affiliate WCWJ-TV to bring five Sunday games to local television. The games — April 29, May 20, June 24, July 22 and Aug. 19 — will be the first ever Suns games televised. The Suns are the Class AA affiliate of the Miami Marlins.
MILWAUKEE
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Uecker joins fellow legends Vin Scully, Jack Buck and Harry Caray in the NAB hall.
Photo by: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS
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Uecker inducted into NAB hall
Bob Uecker, voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame during the NAB Show last week in Las Vegas. Uecker is in his 42nd year calling play-by-play on WTMJ-AM and the Brewers Radio Network.
NEW YORK
MSG on time with Tissot
Madison Square Garden Co. formed a marketing partnership with Swiss watchmaker Tissot. Tissot becomes the official timepiece of Madison Square Garden and will have integration on the arena’s 7th and 8th Avenue marquees. Tissot also will be featured in the countdown of minutes until Knicks’ and Rangers’ games on the marquee before home games.
PHILADELPHIA
MLS All-Stars will face Chelsea FC
This year’s MLS all-stars will take on EPL club Chelsea FC at the 2012 MLS All-Star Game, July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. PPL Park is the home of the Philadelphia Union.
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Pat Burrell has World Series rings from Philadelphia (2008) and San Francisco (2010).
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Burrell to finish with Phillies
Outfielder Pat Burrell is signing a one-day minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies so he can officially retire as a member the organization that selected him with the first overall pick in the 1998 draft. Burrell will be honored before the team’s May 19 game against the Red Sox, when he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. He spent his last three MLB seasons with Tampa Bay and San Francisco after nine seasons with the Phillies.
PORTLAND
Adidas sponsoring design class
Adidas will sponsor a dozen students in a three-week footwear design class taught by former Nike designer D’Wayne Edwards, according to a Portland Oregonian report. The classes will be June 4-22 at Pensole, the footwear design school Edwards opened this year in Portland.
SAN FRANCISCO
Giants sign solar energy partner
Hanwha Solar is the new official solar partner of the San Francisco Giants. Through the partnership, Hanwha will launch a green initiative campaign named “I SUN SF.” It includes the installation of solar PV panels at AT&T Park, a branded, sun-shaped LED sign above left field and a fundraising program named “How Far Did It Fly?” to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco.
SARASOTA, FLA.
Orioles start quarterly newsletter
The Baltimore Orioles and the team’s OriolesREACH charitable organization launched a quarterly electronic newsletter covering the club’s activities in the communities of Sarasota County, the team’s spring training home. The public can receive the free publication, “Orioles in Sarasota 365,” via www.orioles.com/sarasota.
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