MLB Marketing Notes: Braves Sign Deal With Choctaw Indians
The ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE's John Manasso reports the Mississippi Band
of Choctaw Indians has paid "eight figures" for a multi-year
sponsorship agreement with the Braves. The former Lexus Level at Turner Field
now will operate as The Golden Moon Casino Level. The Braves partnership with
Lexus expired at the end of the '07 season, and the new agreement "exceeds
the previous deal in both scope and dollars." The sponsorship gives Pearl
River Resorts, which is about 330 miles from Atlanta, a "foothold"
in the city. Braves Exec VP/Sales & Marketing Derek Schiller said Atlanta
represents a "very significant population" for the resort community
to draw from (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 3/28 issue). The
Braves' AA affiliate is based in Pearl, Mississippi (THE DAILY).
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Wright Cutting Back On Endorsements,
Appearances To Concentrate On Baseball |
THE WRIGHT WAY: In N.Y., Kevin Kernan reported Mets 3B David Wright "cut
back on many possible endorsement deals and promotional activities this year because
he did not want any of that to get in the way of what he and the Mets are trying
to accomplish" on the field. Wright said he has shelved "quite a few,
especially living in [N.Y.] It seemed like daily things." Wright during the
previous offseason made "several significant business trips." Wright:
"I have a great relationship with Nike so I went out there and designed my
own shoe in Oregon. I went to San Diego to do stuff" as the cover athlete
on Sony's "MLB 07: The Show" (N.Y. POST, 3/30).
OUT OF JUICE: In Sacramento, Debbie Arrington reported the
"bottom has dropped out of the market" of memorabilia for free agents
P Roger Clemens and LF Barry Bonds, and former MLBer Mark McGwire. Sportscollectorsdaily.com
Editor Rich Mueller: "They've really dropped, no question about it. McGwire
especially; the rise and fall of his rookie card and historic home run balls
were phenomenal. They plummeted completely over the steroids allegations."
Memorabilia dealer Mike Weber said of the Mitchell Report's impact on other
MLBers, "After Bonds and Clemens, the other guys are nobodies. There was
no market for them anyway" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 3/30).
APPLE PIE: In a Q&A with BRANDWEEK's Barry Janoff, MLB
Senior VP/Corporate Sales & Marketing John Brody said of the '08 season,
"My biggest challenge is that we deliver on the promise to be special
in and around" the All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Brody: "We
have a tremendous responsibility to create the most activated all-star event
we've ever had. That is what's weighing on our hearts and minds" (BRANDWEEK,
3/31 issue).
NOTES: The Tigers this year rank No. 2 in MLB for merchandising,
behind the Yankees and "slightly ahead" of the Red Sox, Cubs and Dodgers
(DETROIT NEWS, 3/29)....Baseball HOFer Sandy Koufax has signed an exclusive
collectibles deal with Steiner Sports, and items signed by Koufax will be the
"centerpiece" for a Dodgers 50th-anniversary line. The line also includes
signed L.A. Coliseum and Dodger Stadium photos, baseballs and jerseys (N.Y.
POST, 3/30).
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