In London, Charles Sale notes Wimbledon, which "normally crack down on any advertising rules breach on Centre Court, have turned a blind eye to blatant ambush marketing within Andy Murray’s team." Murray's team has been "wearing baseball hats in the players’ box ... promoting the short-form tennis venture ‘Tie Break Tens'" during his matches, including yesterday's loss to Sam Querrey. The brand is "clearly visible to the TV cameras who film the players’ box." The Lawn Tennis Association was "not concerned," as Tie Break Tens is "not a rival of official clothing suppliers Nike" (London DAILY MAIL, 7/13).
MEAT AND GREET: Richard Petty said that he is "confident that sponsor Smithfield will return" to Richard Petty Motorsports after the '17 season. Smithfield is in the "final season of a three-year extension" announced in '14. The exec who oversees the motorsports program recently left the company, but Petty said that "won’t impact the team’s discussions with Smithfield." Petty: "We’re not worried about that part of it. We’re still looking forward to having Smithfield again back next year." Smithfield has "sponsored the No. 43 car in 15 of the first 18 points races this season" (NBCSPORTS.com, 7/12).
SWITCHING SPOTS? NASCAR driver Erik Jones will replace Matt Kenseth in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 20 Cup car next year, but he does not have any sponsors announced yet. Kenseth "conceivably could go into the Furniture Row car vacated by Jones, although that likely would have been already announced if there was sponsorship for Kenseth" (ESPN.com, 7/12).
PATRIOT GAMES: Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has partnered with Brookstone to launch the Gronkball, a black foam football that contains a "portable speaker with a 90-foot Bluetooth range." The Gronkball is retailing for $79.99 (BOSTON HERALD, 7/13)....Patriots QB Tom Brady over the weekend was in New Jersey to "shoot an ad for Beats by Dre headphones at Red Bull Arena" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/11)....Model and talent agency Ford Models has signed Patriots WR Danny Amendola (Ford Models).
