In N.Y., Christian Red noted Nike co-Founder & Chair Phil Knight on Tuesday “hinted at a possible reunion" between the company and Lance Armstrong despite the company severing ties with the cyclist in the wake of a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report. Knight said, "Never say never." Knight, when asked if he was waiting for an apology from Armstrong, said, "No, we don't have any plans. I don't know what he's going to say. ... The whole thing is sort of an unpleasant surprise" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 1/16).
BEST FEET FORWARD: MARKETING magazine’s John Reynolds reports the English FA is “undertaking an overhaul of its brand and is pushing the brand itself to the fore, in a move which coincides" with its 150th anniversary. The FA “wants to communicate and emphasize its brand values of ‘pride, passion and fans first’ and is thought to be undergoing a series of initiatives this year to promote the brand.” The NGB is “working with design agency Uniform on the project” (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 1/17).
TROPHY APPAREL: CBS' Nick Faldo has established his own brand called “Claret & Green,” and sold the first license to Bernette Textile for the design of a new line of clothing. Bernette’s line will incorporate a “Claret & Green” crest. Faldo and Bernette President Jeffrey Siskind will launch the brand at next week's PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. The move comes as Faldo is launching the Faldo Series Academy, a full-time residential school for youth golfers in Arizona; and a line of custom clubs with clubmaker David Edel (Wade Media Management).
TRASH TALK: Clear Channel Outdoor has “put up billboards on I-93 north on the Medford/Stoneham line and on I-495 in Lawrence that are surely going to get some attention in Baltimore.” The billboards promote this Sunday's Ravens-Patriots AFC Championship game as Ravens LB Ray Lewis' "retirement party" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/17).
