SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Adam Stern in next week's issue reports Georgia-based telecommunications-equipment company Arris has signed a "new vending contract" with NASCAR. Sources said that Arris will supply the sanctioning body and Sprint Cup Series teams with "telecommunications and broadband-related products, including modems, routers, co-ax cables and splitters." Arris this year is serving as the primary sponsor of Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 19 Toyota Camry, driven by Carl Edwards, "for 17 Sprint Cup races as well as primary sponsor for more than half of the season" for JGR driver Daniel Suarez in the Xfinity Series (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/30 issue).
OFF-SPEED STUFF: FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal cited sources as saying that the MLBPA, "frustrated by the number of pre-arbitration players who accept below-market extensions and sacrifice free-agent years, is encouraging players and their agents to explore other ways to achieve security." One option "would be to sign with Fantex Brokerage Services." Several NFLers "have signed with Fantex," including Bears WR Alshon Jeffery, Bills QB EJ Manuel and 49ers TE Vernon Davis. Sources said that while Fantex "has yet to sign a baseball player, it has been in contact with a number of interested major leaguers and likely will make its first plunge into the market soon" (FOXSPORTS.com, 3/26).
FIND YOURSELF A CITY: In Florida, Timothy Bee wrote New Era "has some explaining to do after it used the wrong skyline" for its '15 Jaguars Draft caps. Instead of using Jacksonville's skyline "featuring the iconic bridges along the St. John's River, New Era seemed to have used parts of the Miami skyline and sprinkled them in with parts of what semi resemble the Jacksonville skyline." New Era "apologized for the mistake and claims they will have the issue fixed in time for the draft and for mass production" (FIRSTCOASTNEWS.com, 3/25).
WIN-WIN SITUATION: In Miami, Jim Varsallone writes wrestler Brock Lesnar signing with WWE is "not only good business sense for Lesnar but also what's best for business for WWE." In terms of advertising, marketing, merchandising, publicity, promotions and sponsorships, the ceiling "is higher with Lesnar." To have Lesnar as part of the team, "when you seek advertising dollars, corporate sponsors, publicity, you have that star power to seal the deal." In meeting with corporate execs, the WWE's pitch should mention Lesnar "wholeheartedly, whether he competes once a week or once a month." It is about "name value" (MIAMI HERALD, 3/27).
