In N.Y., Karen Crouse notes Jordan Spieth's new "Spieth One" Under Armour shoes are "distinctive in ways that do not catch the eye." The shoe has a "springiness," with "snug heel support and the wide placement of the spikes for better stability." The "stylistic elements -- vertical and horizontal lines that Spieth requested from the designers -- emphasize utility." Spieth said, "That’s going to help me when I look down and I’m trying to line up. But it also looks cool. It’s a cool way to be subtle because I don’t want a giant J. S. on there" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/20).
TIP OF THE CAP: ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss noted Super Bowl LI hats in the Patriots Pro Shop have been "sold out and word was that they wouldn’t be back in stock until March." That is "reflective of overwhelming demand, as there seems to be something about this championship that resonates more with fans." Sales "have been hot, which includes online" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 2/19).
BALL DON'T LIE? Tennis player Steve Johnson at last week's ATP Memphis Open expressed his "displeasure with the tournament’s use of the RS Black Edition tennis ball." In Memphis, Phil Stukenborg noted the Memphis Open has been "using the tennis ball produced by former Tour player Robin Soderling for two years." But Johnson said, "They are awful. They’re the worst balls I’ve ever played with. That’s my opinion" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 2/17).
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: In Boston, Ben Volin examined the NFL’s efforts around its new "Love Has No Labels" ad and wrote, "For a sport with a starched-up, 'No Fun League' image ... featuring a commissioner who declined to comment on the recent refugee ban at his Super Bowl news conference," the ad is an "interesting dip into liberal politics and, frankly, is a welcome display of tolerance and acceptance from the NFL" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/19).
