ANN ARBOR, MICH.
Big House losing seats
To increase Michigan Stadium’s accessibility and configuration adjustments for non-football events, the University of Michigan will decrease seating capacity by about 2,000, creating a new official capacity of 107,601. The most noticeable changes to seating relate to ADA accessibility, as seats had to be eliminated in order to widen aisles and install hand railings.
ATLANTA
Blaze is newest MLL team
Major League Lacrosse formally announced the Blaze as the name of its new expansion franchise in Atlanta. Kennesaw State University’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium will be the Blaze’s home venue. Florida-based builder Peter Trematerra will be the majority owner.
BALTIMORE
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The Orioles raised $46,000 for BARCS through calendar sales last season.
Photo by: BALTIMORE ORIOLES
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Orioles Pet Calendar turning seven
The Baltimore Orioles’ seventh annual Orioles Pet Calendar, sponsored by Pet+E.R., will go on sale Saturday, with proceeds benefiting the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). The 16-month calendar, priced at $15, features Orioles players with their pets and various shelter animals at locations in and around Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
CLEVELAND
Cavs Eats mobile effort expanding
The Cavaliers and concessionaire Aramark will offer more service and menu options in the Cavs Eats mobile program through Tap.in2 next season. Tap.in2, an in-venue app that enables fans to buy food, drinks and merchandise using their mobile phones, was tested during the 2015 NBA playoffs and Finals at Quicken Loans Arena.
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.
IMSA installs WeatherTech for series
WeatherTech signed a multiyear agreement for IMSA’s top series, which now will be called the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, effective Nov. 1. Tudor Watch USA steps down from partner to official timepiece in a 10-year extension. The 2016 WeatherTech Championship schedule will include 12 events and opens Jan. 30-31 with the 54th Rolex 24 at Daytona.
LOS ANGELES
AEG, ABM renew global deal
ABM renewed its global partnership with AEG in providing day-to-day, pre-event and post-event cleaning services for 10 venues in three countries, including Staples Center in Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Convention Center; L.A. Live; StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.; and The O2 arena in London. The multimillion-dollar deal is the third renewal/expansion of the partnership.
NEW YORK
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The Red Bulls added elements for their loyal ticket holders to enhance fan engagement.
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“Red” members can wear player jacket
The New York Red Bulls are eliminating “season-ticket holder” from their vocabulary and replacing it with “Red Membership.” A major part of the 2016 campaign will revolve around the “Red Jacket” for fans who renew or buy a membership by Sept. 10. Players will wear the jacket when they walk out of the locker room next year, and it will be a staple piece in their travel gear. After day one of the campaign launch last week, the club was 34 percent ahead of last year’s pace.
PHILADELPHIA
Stadium event to help fantasy players
NBC Sports’ Kay Adams will serve as moderator for a 12-person panel featuring local and national fantasy sports experts on Thursday. The free event at Lincoln Financial Field includes an opportunity to win prizes and meet Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders and alumni. On Sept. 3, fans can host their fantasy football draft at the stadium. Packages includes a suite, food and beverage, an appearance by cheerleaders, and an Eagles draft board.
Brooks Running rockin’ with series
At the Outdoor Retailer show earlier this month, Competitor Group and Brooks Running Co. announced a sponsorship extension through 2020. The partnership, which began in 2010, designates Brooks as the official running footwear, apparel and sports bra of the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series.
Brooks will become presenting sponsor of all Rock ’n’ Roll 5K events and also create an official Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon Series footwear and apparel line.
Brooks will participate in marketing programs that include expanding its presence through Rock ’n’ Roll’s digital platform, and promotional, branding and hospitality components. The deal also includes an annual integrated media campaign through CGI’s two running titles, Competitor and Women’s Running.
Eagles fly American in renewal
The Eagles and American Airlines renewed their corporate partnership. American has served as one of the team’s founding partners since 2004 through American’s merger with previous sponsor US Airways. American will continue to sponsor the “Fan Fly-In” promotion, where a fan and guest are flown in for a home game and receive hotel accommodations, tickets and pregame sideline passes.
SAN ANTONIO
Spurs could pay $4.1M luxury tax
The San Antonio Spurs are projected to exceed the NBA’s luxury tax threshold of $84.74 million for the first time since the 2011-12 season, according to a San Antonio Express-News report. Under new CBA rules going into effect this season, the Spurs would have to pay a luxury tax of about $4.1 million.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tribal council returning Redskins donation
The tribal council of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe will return a $25,000 donation from the Redskins’ Original Americans Foundation, according to an AP report. The council in its decision called the team’s name derogatory and inappropriate. The foundation was created in March 2014 by Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
CHIBA, JAPAN
New Mitsubishi displays for park
Mitsubishi Electric will install five Diamond Vision screens at QVC Marine Field stadium in Chiba, Japan, in time for the 2016 Japanese professional baseball preseason. The main screen behind center field will measure 95 feet by 33 feet, triple the size of the current screen.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Everton, StubHub renew agreement
Everton FC renewed its deal with ticket reseller StubHub until the end of the 2016-17 season. Everton season-ticket holders will be able to resell their seats for Premier League games at the club’s Goodison Park home. The team and StubHub have been aligned since 2012.
LONDON
Fulham loves Florida
League Championship side Fulham FC reached an agreement with Visit Florida as its main team sponsor for the 2015-16 season. Visit Florida’s logo will adorn the front of Fulham’s home, away and third kit. Visit Florida will have signage rights and be featured on the Riverside Stand roof at Craven Cottage. Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan owns Fulham.
MANCHESTER
Man City installs Nexen Tire
Nexen Tire will be an official partner of Manchester City as a part of the company’s sports marketing plan. The partnership underpins Nexen Tire’s rapid expansion into the global market.
Man U plugs in with Nexon
Manchester United reached a new partnership with Nexon, a Korean online games developer and publisher. Nexon will become the club’s first social football gaming partner in Korea, bringing the club closer to its 15 million followers in the country.
TOKYO
Japan to hand off stadium affairs
The Japanese government decided to hand over management of the main stadium for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to the private sector after the event ends, according to a Nikkei report. The government recently scrapped a stadium construction plan amid a public furor over the massive costs.
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