Golf Channel’s Whit Watson reported the PGA Tour is "close to signing an extension with FedEx to continue sponsoring the season-long points race and the year-end bonus pool." Also, a new title sponsor "for what is now the Nationwide Tour may also be announced soon with car maker Hyundai considered the favorite." The current deal with FedEx began in '07, while the agreement with Nationwide started in '03 (“Golf Central,” Golf Channel, 1/12).
SPONSOR-DRIVEN MINDSET: YAHOO SPORTS’ Jay Hart reported Richard Petty Motorsports Owner Richard Petty cited “sponsors weary of Kurt Busch’s personality” as the reason the NASCAR driver “wasn’t offered the opportunity to drive the famed No. 43” after Busch parted ways with Penske Racing last year. Petty said, “Nobody at the time wanted to pay the bill for him. That’s just how simple it was.” RPM at the time was “in talks with Smithfield Foods as a potential sponsor of the 43.” Petty said that they “floated the idea of putting Busch in the seat, but sponsors balked.” Petty: “Everybody’s got to protect their brand. Smithfield’s got a pretty laid-back, pretty down-home personality. If they’d taken him on -- they just didn’t like the personality” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/12).
PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE: In Baltimore, Lorraine Mirabella reports in a front-page piece Maryland-based Jos. A. Bank Clothiers is “designated as the official Purple Friday menswear apparel chain” for the Ravens. Jos. A. Bank Exec VP/Real Estate & Human Resources Bob Hensley said that the company “had an agreement with the Ravens to manufacture black and purple ties and display collections of purple-tinged sweaters and shirts at its stores.” Hensley: “We still have a nice collection of purple attire for those who want to be properly dressed in their office or casual environment. A purple tie is very in right now" (Baltimore SUN, 1/13).
ULTIMATE FAN: YAHOO SPORTS’ Maggie Hendricks reported UFC “put out a new line of merchandise aimed at putting their three letters all over your vehicle.” The line includes seat covers, wheel covers, floor mats and hitch covers (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/11).
