Valvoline will replace Quaker State as the Official Lubricants Partner of Hendrick Motorsports in a multiyear sponsorship deal that begins with the '14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Valvoline will be a major associate sponsor for the team's full stable of cars through the '17 season. The company will utilize drivers Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as spokespeople to promote its products. In addition, Valvoline will be the preferred oil at Hendrick Automotive's 87 auto dealerships across the U.S. (THE DAILY).
CITI SCAPE: Team USA sponsor Citi on Friday announced its roster of "Team Citi" athletes for the '14 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia. The athletes include hockey player Julie Chu, skier Billy Demong, luger Erin Hamlin, retired speedskater Dan Jansen, skier Ted Ligety, figure skater Evan Lysacek, retired skier Picabo Street and paralympians Alana Nichols and Rico Roman (Citi).
THE LEGEND GROWS: In Orlando, Brendan Sonnone notes Florida State Univ. is "trying to protect the use" of QB Jameis Winston’s likeness, but the school faces a "big challenge as the redshirt freshman starting quarterback’s legend grows." An "unnamed individual distributor started selling shirts of Winston in which he’s depicted as Jesus Christ, with wording 'The Chosen One | 2013' at the top of the shirt" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 9/24).
EBB TIDE: In Birmingham, Kent Faulk noted the Univ. of Alabama BOT and Paul Bryant Jr. have "filed a federal trademark infringement and unfair competition lawsuit against Houndstooth Mafia Enterprises." The company "makes merchandise with the Houndstooth Mafia logo with a houndstooth pattern background" -- similar to the design worn by late UA football coach Bear Bryant. The lawsuit also "asks a judge to overturn a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's ruling in July that allowed the Houndstooth Mafia's 2007 trademark registration application to go forward for caps and t-shirts." The suit also "seeks to block a trademark application filed July 29 for use of the logo on bumper stickers, magnetic bumper stickers, stickers, stickers and transfers" (AL.com, 9/23).
