In DC, Dan Steinberg noted many in the area are "obsessed with" the Netflix series "House of Cards," and L.A.-based comedian and writer Joe Mande about a month ago "cleverly combined" the show's title and imagery with the Wizards, creating a "House of Guards" motif featuring John Wall and Bradley Beal. Then, the team store at Verizon Center on Saturday "began selling Adidas ‘House of Guards’ T-shirts," which was "pretty startling." A Wizards spokesperson said that the shirts were "a collaboration between Adidas and the Wizards, with the initial idea to use the phrase coming from Adidas" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/17).
WAHOO PRIDE: WVIR-NBC reported Univ. of Virginia ACC champion gear is "flying off the racks" at Charlottesville retailer Mincer's "almost as quickly as the store gets it in stock." The conference tournament title is the school's first in men's basketball since '76. Store Owner Mark Mincer "started designing the winning shirts and getting them approved six weeks ago," with the store "stocking about 21 styles." Mincer's workers are "constantly refilling shelves and shipping Internet orders, which shut down the Mincer's website Sunday night" (NBC29.com, 3/17).
ZOOM, ZOOM: MARKETING WEEK's Sebastian Joseph reported Nissan is "set to take over Ford's multi-million pound UEFA Champions League sponsorship deal following the latter's decision to end its 20-year tie to the tournament." Nissan "penned a three-year deal with European football's governing body to become only the second car brand associated with the 22-year old event." The deal will "be announced" at this year's Champions League final in Lisbon, Portugal on May 24 (MARKETINGWEEK.co.uk, 3/13).
