In Portland, Matthew Kish reported Texas A&M's deal with adidas ranks No. 1 among SEC schools and is “among the top in college sports.” Texas A&M will get $7.1M in “benefits from the deal in the upcoming academic year,” including $1.7M in cash and $4.5M in equipment and apparel. The school also “will get $200,000 in ‘retail activation’ and $450,000 in marketing support,” and is “guaranteed at least $333,000 in royalties.” Texas A&M in an e-mail wrote that the current deal “went into effect July 1, 2014, but wasn't signed" until February (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/14).
OPENING NEW 'DORES: In Nashville, Adam Sparks notes Vanderbilt yesterday unveiled "the new ‘Deep Water’ Nike alternate uniform," which is “gray, supplementing Vanderbilt’s three primary options of black, gold and white uniforms.” The new helmet “drew the most attention," as it features a “black chromed finish with textured water and a large anchor on the side to match the ‘Deep Water’ theme.” The facemask is a “gleaming gold” (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/17).
DIRTY BIRD MARTINI? In Atlanta, Phil Hudson noted the Falcons have "a new sponsorship deal” with Texas-based Deep Eddy Vodka, inking a “multi-year agreement with the team that will start” this season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The company said that the vodka “will be sold before and during Falcons home games at concession bars, mobile bars, and for order in luxury suites throughout the stadium” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/14).
FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT: In Jacksonville, Drew Dixon noted local sunglasses and apparel brand Modasten was the "winner of the Small Business Breakthrough contest conducted” by the Jaguars and Web.com. The company was announced as the winner at Friday's preseason game against the Steelers at EverBank Field (JACKSONVILLE.com, 8/15).
