Kaiser Permanente is debuting two new TV ads as part of its partnership with the NBA. The ads are named "Offense Is the Best Defense," and juxtapose Warriors G Stephen Curry's on-court performance with individuals and community members taking small steps to be more proactive about their health. Kaiser Permanente was named the league’s first-ever health care partner in January. The overall partnership aligns the NBA FIT campaign (Kaiser Permanente).
SWOOSHING IN: ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell reported Nike has signed NFL Draft prospect Jameis Winston. Sources said that the company "also signed this year's Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota, and the two runners-up," Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon and Alabama WR Amari Cooper, plus Georgia RB Todd Gurley. Terms were not disclosed (ESPN.com, 4/17).
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE: In Richmond, Randy Hallman reports shipping company Estes Express Lines has “returned as a sponsor” for NASCAR driver Jeb Burton. Estes’ branding will be on Burton’s Sprint Cup car “for the first time this year in Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400” at Richmond Int’l Raceway. Estes will “have its name on the car for 10 events.” The company “will be the primary sponsor for the season’s two races at RIR, and an associate sponsor for eight other events” (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/20).
HELPING THE CAUSE: FOXSPORTS.com’s Jay Pernell noted Thrivent Financial, which sponsors Michael McDowell's NASCAR Sprint Cup car, has “taken their support” of Fox motorsports analyst Steve Byrnes “to the next level.” Thrivent will “donate $9,500 to Stand Up To Cancer in honor of Byrnes,” who is battling cancer (FOXSPORTS.com, 4/18).
