BLOOMBERG NEWS' Hammond & Kirchfeld cited a source as saying that Hillerich & Bradsby Co., the parent of Louisville Slugger, "is exploring a sale and has spoken with buyers" including Finland-based Amer Sports Oyj, about a deal. The source added that the family-owned business "is likely to be valued" at less than $100M. The company says that 60% of MLBers use Louisville Slugger, which "has sold more than 100 million bats." The source said that Milwaukee-based investment bank Robert W. Baird & Co. "is seeking buyers for Hillerich & Bradsby." Amer Sports "owns a collection of sports brands, including baseball-equipment maker Wilson" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 2/28).
CREAM RISES TO THE TOP: GOLF WORLD MONDAY's Jaime Diaz reports Jack Nicklaus has developed with Schwan Food Co. a line of ice cream. Seven flavors of Jack Nicklaus Ice Cream -- "including his favorite, 'Warm Spice Butter Pecan' -- will be available this month for $1.99 a pint at select Winn Dixie, Bi-Lo and Kroger stores, with part of the profits going to children's charities" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 3/2 issue).
TALK IS CHEAP: With Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch planning to trademark his Super Bowl Media Day phrase of "I'm just here so I won't get fined," the Detroit Free Press' Mitch Albom said, "This proves that while Lynch isn't beneath acting like a jerk, he isn't above making a profit from it either." Albom: "While Lynch only spit out those words to avoid financial penalties, he now wants them to yield financial gain. For honest journalists, this is like a dog pooping on your lawn, then saying he wants to frame it. I don't know why someone would buy this shirt. Lynch will market it as a badge of defiance, when really it's just a pile of petulance" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN, 3/1).
NOTES: Garmin announced sponsorship deals with snowboarders Mark McMorris and Silje Norendal. Garmin also sponsors the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, which begin today in Vail (Garmin)....Roush Fenway Racing on Friday announced that Bit-O-Honey will partner with driver Chris Buescher at Talladega Superspeedway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Winn Dixie 300 on May 2 (RFR).
