ATLANTA
Atlanta Track Club acquires marathon
Atlanta Track Club acquired the Publix Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon from Life Time Fitness. The deal was completed ahead of the event’s 10th anniversary, scheduled for March 20. Life Time’s database Athlinks will stay on as a sponsor of the event for the next five years.
Qualifying day gets title sponsor
McDonough, Ga.-based Active Pest Control will title sponsor NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying day, Feb. 26, as NASCAR returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2016. The Feb. 28 NASCAR Sprint Cup series race is the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.
BUFFALO
Bills fans get ‘Experience’
The Buffalo Bills and Experience created the “Bills Experience.” It can be accessed exclusively through the Bills Mobile app and allows fans to buy field passes, stadium tours, meet-and-greet sessions, seat upgrades and other amenities. Experience has deals with 17 NFL properties.
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Duggan is a two-time Olympic silver medalist.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Dunkin’ marketing with NWHL, Duggan
The National Women’s Hockey League signed a marketing deal with Dunkin’ Donuts, the fledgling league’s first major corporate sponsor. Dunkin’ also has entered into a personal-services agreement with Meghan Duggan, a member of the Buffalo Beauts, who will help coordinate local youth hockey clinics.
CHARLOTTE
Big December for Panthers retail
Steve Drummond, Carolina Panthers director of communications, said that December was the busiest month in team store history, according to a Charlotte Observer report. The store received more than 10,000 orders though the month and processed more than 15,500 transactions at an average of $80 a transaction.
GAINESVILLE, FLA.
Florida Gators site redesigned
Sidearm Sports launched Florida-
Gators.com, the new digital home of the University of Florida Gators. The multiyear agreement includes a complete redesign with an emphasis on improved readability. “My Gator Zone” is a customizable portal that allows fans to select the teams they are most interested in and receive regular updates and social media integration.
HOUSTON
Astros warming up caravan
The 2016 Houston Astros Caravan presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors begins next week. The trip consists of simultaneous tours over the course of five days with stops in the Greater Houston area, San Antonio, Austin and Corpus Christi. The Astros and the Astros Foundation will kick off Astros Caravan week with a day of service on Jan. 18 at Houston Food Bank and Star of Hope locations.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers select Robinson sculptor
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected California-based sculptor Branly Cadet to create the Jackie Robinson statue, which will be unveiled during the 2016 season at Dodger Stadium. A graduate of Cornell University, Cadet won the prestigious James Wilbur Johnston National Figure Sculpture Competition and has completed several private and public commissions.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.
Pelicans win MiLB award
After a successful debut season as a Chicago Cubs affiliate that included a league championship and attendance record, Baseball America named the Myrtle Beach Pelicans the Bob Freitas Class A Award winner. The Freitas awards are presented to the teams with the best overall operation at each level of Minor League Baseball.
NEWARK
Fans add to Brodeur time capsule
The New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center held a contest offering a limited number of fans the opportunity to place their favorite piece of Martin Brodeur memorabilia in a statue of the goaltender that will stand on Championship Plaza. “The Salute” statue will be unveiled as part of a four-day celebration of Brodeur before his jersey is retired by the team Feb. 9.
NEW YORK
Mets extend with freight provider
Old Dominion Freight Line extended its marketing partnership with the New York Mets as the team’s official freight provider. In February, the freight line will help kick off the 2016 season with the “Move the Mets” event at Citi Field for a send-off to spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Old Dominion signs will be at home plate and on the main scoreboard at Citi Field.
PHILADELPHIA
Union partners with StubHub
The Philadelphia Union agreed to a multiyear partnership with StubHub. As the official secondary ticket provider of the team and Talen Energy Stadium, StubHub will receive signage in the stadium and will offer fans in-game seat upgrades, premium hospitality and other promotions.
Tech firm hires Villanova coach
Wayne, Pa.-based cloud services company Evolve IP hired Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright to serve as a spokesman. Evolve IP CEO Tom Gravina, who said he has known Wright for 30 years, said the coach’s duties will include giving speeches to company employees and serving as a “morale builder.”
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Effen, Dutch for “smooth,” is positioned as a stylish, high-end option for lounge patrons.
Photo by: BARRY GOSSAGE / PHOENIX SUNS
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PHOENIX
Suns pouring Effen Vodka
The Phoenix Suns and Effen Vodka reached a multiyear partnership that includes the opening of the Effen Vodka Lounge at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Throughout the Suns season, the new lounge will feature appearances by 50 Cent and Effen Vodka promotional models, as well as performances by area DJs.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BARCELONA
Grand Prix funding slashed
The Spanish Grand Prix will reportedly have its local funding cut by half this year, according to a Crash report. Barcelona’s city council plans to cut its contribution toward the event from $4.3 million to $2.2 million this year as it moves to phase out its support entirely. The event has a deal in place until 2019, having inked a new contract last spring.
CHYASAL, NEPAL
FIFA pledges renovation funds
FIFA pledged $850,000 for construction and renovation of football infrastructure in Nepal, according to a Kathmandu Post report. FIFA will provide the All Nepal Football Association with $600,000 for laying artificial turf at the Anfa Technical Centre, and the rest will go to the reconstruction and renovation of infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas.
LONDON
West Ham confident on ticket sales
Karren Brady, vice chair of Premier League side West Ham United, said the club will sell out the Olympic Stadium for every league match next season, according to a Reuters report. The team leaves 35,000-seat Upton Park at the end of this campaign to set up home at the remodeled London 2012 Games stadium, which will have a capacity of 54,000.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
UFC Gym expanding operations
After the success of UFC 193 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, UFC Gym partnered with Ultimate Franchising Group to expand the brand throughout Australia. Since debuting in 2009, UFC Gym has opened more than 135 locations throughout the United States, Australia and Canada. The fitness franchise opened more than 50 locations in the past two years.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Venue cluster nearly complete
Organizers claimed construction work at Rio de Janeiro’s Barra Olympic Park, the main venue cluster for this year’s Olympic Games, is 95 percent complete, according to an Ians report. The complex will comprise nine venues that will host 16 Olympic and nine Paralympic events, in addition to the main press center and international broadcast center.
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