CHARLOTTE
Panthers owner thanks fans
The Carolina Panthers ran a full-page ad in the Jan. 17 Charlotte Observer featuring a handwritten note from team owner Jerry Richardson. He thanked fans, players, coaches and the organization for the team’s year, which featured a 12-4 regular season and an NFC South championship.
DENVER
Brewer changes beer to Omaha!
West Flanders Brewing of Boulder, Colo., ran afoul of the NFL after releasing a new beer called Brett on the Broncos. The beer is a blend of two Belgian-style beers fermented with wild brettanomyces yeast. The NFL objected to the use of the Broncos name and the team’s colors in the promotion, so the brewery renamed the beer Omaha! Omaha! Brett!, playing to quarterback Peyton Manning’s much-discussed line-of-scrimmage call during games.
EDMONTON
Oilers, Scotiabank reach 6-year deal
The Edmonton Oilers and Scotiabank reached a six-year sponsorship deal that includes the team’s official bank designation. Activation will encompass fan initiatives, community programs and grassroots hockey efforts.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Court clears way for Vikings stadium
Public financing of the $1 billion Minnesota Vikings stadium is back on track after the Minnesota Supreme Court last week dismissed a last-minute legal challenge that threatened to delay the project, according to a (Minneapolis) Star Tribune report. State budget officials are now scrambling to sell $468 million in bonds, spokesman John Pollard said. The stadium is slated to open in July 2016.
NEW YORK
Knicks secure Alex and Ani
The New York Knicks and retailer Alex and Ani agreed to a marketing partnership. Alex and Ani will have brand exposure at Madison Square Garden during Knicks games as well as activation with the Knicks City Dancers, who will make several public appearances to showcase Alex and Ani’s jewelry line.
OAKLAND
Warriors collect seven league awards
The Golden State Warriors collected a league-high seven awards at the recent NBA marketing meetings in Miami. Awards included recognition for selling more than 10,000 full-season tickets, with the team this year capping season-ticket sales at 14,500. The Warriors also were recognized for selling at least 2,000 new full-season tickets for the current season and for having a 90 percent full-season-ticket renewal rate.
PHILADELPHIA
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The truck features a 40-inch TV and waterproof speakers capable of airing Flyers games and highlights. Businesses, festivals and special events can request a Flyers Mobile Store appearance.
Photo by: PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
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Flyers debut ‘store on wheels’
The Philadelphia Flyers unveiled their new mobile store this month. This self-contained merchandising vehicle is serving as a “store on wheels” and offers fans a variety of exclusive Flyers Reebok apparel and novelties at events and locations across the region. The mobile store is jointly operated by the Flyers, Wells Fargo Center and arena concessionaire Aramark.
Soccer convention had $18M impact
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center earlier this month attracted more than 10,500 people to the city and generated an economic impact of $18.3 million for the region. Also part of the event were a U.S. Youth Soccer workshop and the drafts for Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League.
PHOENIX
Suns, Kia offer military discounts
The Phoenix Suns and Kia Motors were scheduled to launch Kia Seats for Service at US Airways Center last Friday as part of the team’s Military Appreciation Night promotion. The program offers all military personnel a 20 percent discount on tickets to remaining Suns home games, and 10 percent off purchases at the Suns Team Shop.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG
GM on board with Grand Prix
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg secured General Motors as a sponsor for the IndyCar Series event, which begins the series’ 2014 schedule in March. Chevrolet trucks and Cadillac cars will be the official vehicles of the race.
TORONTO
Leiweke sees expanded BMO Field
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Tim Leiweke said the company could expand city-owned BMO Field in time for the 2015 Pan Am Games, but only if MLSE and the government can come to a financial agreement very soon, according to a Toronto Star report. Leiweke wants to add a partial roof and more seats to the 7-year-old facility, which is home to MLSE-owned Toronto FC.
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Defenseman Mike Green before a Jackets game
Photo by: WASHINGTON CAPITALS
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WASHINGTON, D.C.
Caps, Wizards using Snapchat
The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, both owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, are now on Snapchat, the photo messaging application that lets a brand or user send a photo or video message to followers. The Capitals and Wizards aim to use the Snapchat Stories function of the service to give fans behind-the-scenes access to the teams.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BARCELONA
Barca opts for Camp Nou renovation
FC Barcelona has decided to renovate Camp Nou stadium instead of building a new venue at a different site. The club will renovate the existing facility in a project that includes a proposal for a new Palau Blaugrana basketball arena as well. The Camp Nou remodeling would increase the stadium’s capacity from 98,787 to 105,000.
COVENTRY, ENGLAND
City kits have one-day branding
League One club Coventry City agreed to a one-off shirt sponsorship deal with online betting firm 12BET for the FA Cup match with Arsenal last Friday. The Sky Blues completed the deal with the company early last week, and the firm’s logo was scheduled to be on the front of City’s away kit at Emirates Stadium for the match.
HAMBURG, GERMANY
Hamburg SV extends with QSC
Bundesliga club Hamburg SV extended its partnership with IT service provider QSC. As the club’s official IT partner, QSC will install a WLAN system for up to 10,000 spectators at Imtech Arena. In addition, QSC will remain a partner of charity organization Hamburger Weg until the end of the 2015-16 season.
MADRID
Real Madrid post-IPO value: $3.5B
Sports marketing agency Euromericas reported that La Liga club Real Madrid could have a post-IPO value of $3.5 billion. The club last year began taking steps toward becoming listed on the New York Stock Exchange. If it were to take that action, Real Madrid would be following the steps taken by Manchester United, which became listed in 2012. Shares in Real Madrid would cost between $14 and $16, according to the Euromericas report.
MILAN
One World gets AC Milan rights
U.S.-based One World Sports secured broadcast rights for Serie A club AC Milan to broadcast a match of the week. Highlights and short-form video content from the club will be distributed digitally on broadband and through the Watch One World Sports app. The agreement extends through the 2015-16 Serie A and Champions League seasons.
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