Nike will supply four NHL teams with jerseys during the '96-
97 season, and according to BRANDWEEK, the company will pick up
the rights for the top-selling Mighty Ducks, Rangers, Blues and
either Red Wings or Canucks. Terry Lefton reports Starter will
supply nine clubs with jerseys next season. Currently, CCM
supplies every team but the Avalanche, which has a deal with
Starter (BRANDWEEK, 1/15). In other jersey news, the Bruins will
debut their new golden sweaters for the first time on January 27
when they face off against the Rangers. The new shirt should be
on sale after the 27th as long as manufacturer CCM "remains
solvent and delivers on time" (Kevin Paul DuPont, BOSTON GLOBE,
1/14).
NHL INKS THREE NEW SPONSORS: Duracell, 7-Eleven and Owens-
Corning have signed on as NHL sponsors, with each deal including
media on Fox telecasts, including Saturday's All-Star Game.
BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton reports 7-Eleven's one-year deal will
include an eight-week, three-tier nationwide promotion, part of
which will include NHL-identified cups with league marks and the
Fox broadcast schedule, larger NHL travel mugs and a sweepstakes
with NHL sponsor MasterCard. Duracell's deal is for three
years, according to sources, and will include sponsorship of an
award for the league's best power plays, "and is also likely to
combine that with hockey vignette advertising." Owens-Corning's
deal will reportedly include a promotion offering NHL licensed
jackets with the purchase of their products (BRANDWEEK, 1/15
issue).
