In St. Petersburg, Danny Valentine reports hours after the Rays secured their spot in the playoffs, postseason gear “was already hitting the shelves around Tampa Bay.” Tampa-based Authentic Team Merchandise Owner Jeff Fox said, "It's Rays-mania -- pandemonium." Fox said that MLB manufacturer VF Imagewear “fired up the presses right after” the team clinched the AL East Division title. Authentic Team Merchandise is also selling some items that “poke fun” at the Red Sox. One reads "Hey Boston ... Sox to be you" and another reads "Choke ... the official drink of Red Sox baseball" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 9/30).
FREE FURNITURE: In Boston, Thomas Grillo notes Jordan’s Furniture, known for “its Fenway Park furniture giveaways, launched its latest promotion” for the Bruins. Jordan’s “Big Check” promo “promises free furniture if the Bruins win the Cup again this season.” The deal covers furniture purchased until Oct. 30. Grillo notes Jordan’s “had to pay up big in 2007 after the Sox won the World Series.” The refund tab, backed “by an insurance policy, totaled $30 million worth of furniture for 25,000 customers.” Jordan’s joined “a rush of sponsors in the B’s offseason afterglow” of winning Cup. New marketing partners include New Balance, Timberland, organic yogurt firm Stonyfield Farm and hummus brand Sabra (BOSTON HERALD, 9/30).
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU? In L.A., Tom Hoffarth writes, “How healthy is it for ESPN to allow reporter Jenn Brown to supplement her income by speaking on behalf of GNC nutritional products? The net approved her endorsement deal even after setting down guidelines for on-air personalities whose promotional deals could present any conflict of interest, especially with goods and services provided to teams or athletes ‘regularly covered’ by ESPN” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 9/30).
ROUNDUP: FC Barcelona MF Cesc Fabregas has signed a five-year, US$21.6M footwear deal with Puma (London SUN, 9/30). Fabregas will lead the global launch of the new Puma PowerCat 1.12, debuting the shoe for the first time this weekend (Puma)….Bundesliga club Dortmund MF Mario Gotze “has signed a lucrative marketing deal with Nike,” reportedly worth US$20M over the next decade (GOAL.com, 9/29).
