NBCSPORTS.com's Daniel McFadin reported NASCAR driver Erik Jones and SiriusXM have signed a "six-race sponsorship deal" for his No. 77 Furniture Row Racing car beginning with this weekend's All-Star festivities in Charlotte. Jones appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio’s "Tradin’ Paint" yesterday to "make the announcement." SiruisXM will also be on the No. 77 at Pocono, Kentucky, Richmond, Dover and Martinsville. Jones through 11 races is 19th in the Monster Energy Cup Series point standings (NBCSPORTS.com, 5/17).
ONE & ONLY: Toyota will "become the new presenting sponsor" of all races at Kentucky Speedway and "become the official car of the racetrack in a new multiyear partnership agreement." In Cincinnati, Claude Thompson noted the partnership "means that every single official vehicle used during races at the Kentucky Speedway will be a Toyota, from the fire trucks, tow trucks" and all the way down to the all-new '18 Toyota Camry that will "serve as the new pace car" (CINCINNATI.com, 5/15).
LIFT OFF: ESPN.com's Jacob Wolf noted game developer Psyonix, the creator of "Rocket League," has partnered with WWE for an "advertising deal that will last through August." The deal will see "Rocket League" title sponsor two "brand-specific WWE Network events, SmackDown Live's Backlash on May 21 and Raw's Great Balls of Fire in July." In addition, it will "serve as one of several promotional sponsor's for WWE's flagship, multibrand event SummerSlam in August." Wolf noted "Rocket League" will be "advertised throughout other products on the WWE Network, and on WWE's regular television programs on Raw and SmackDown on USA Network" (ESPN.com, 5/17).
BUBBLE BURST: Bubble gum brand Big League Chew signed a three-year sponsorship and licensing deal with the Baseball HOF. The HOF logo will appear on all pouches of Big League Chew, as well as bubble gumball buckets featuring the phrase "The Hall of Fame Bubble Gum." Big League Chew will have a presence at various HOF events, including a bubble blowing contest (Big League Chew).
