Liberty Univ. and Hendrick Motorsports have reached a two-year agreement to make the school a primary sponsor of the No. 24 Chevrolet driven by William Byron. Byron will carry primary sponsorship from Liberty in 12 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races in both '18 and '19 (Hendrick).
HOME IMPROVEMENT: YAHOO SPORTS' Nick Bromberg noted Menards will "serve as a primary sponsor" for Ryan Blaney's Team Penske car in '18. Blaney is "moving from the Wood Brothers No. 21 car to a third Team Penske car for next season." Menards is the "first sponsor announced for Blaney’s No. 12 car." The company "currently sponsors Paul Menard ... at Richard Childress Racing." Paul Menard is "moving from RCR to the No. 21" in '18. Motorcraft, Blaney’s current sponsor, this week said that it was "staying with the No. 21 car for 12 races next year." Menards will sponsor the "rest of the races in the No. 21" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/30).
SQUAD UP! ESPN.com's Darren Rovell reported a new company, Rep The Squad, is "giving fans the opportunity to wear a new jersey each week -- by renting them." Rep The Squad is "selling monthly subscriptions that allow fans to pick what jerseys they want to wear and have the items sent to them one at a time." When a jersey is "returned in a prepaid envelope, the next jersey in their queue (or 'locker') is sent out." The monthly subscription "costs $19.95 for adults and $16.95 for children." Rep The Squad Owner Brian Watkins "hopes to eventually go into all major pro sports teams," but yesterday at launch, the company "only had jerseys for fans" of the 49ers, Seahawks and Lions (ESPN.com, 8/30).
HAVE A DRINK ON ME: In Montana, David Erickson reported the Univ. of Montana for the first time has "partnered with a local brewery to create a branded beer that will benefit an alcohol abuse awareness and prevention program as well as a late-night downtown Missoula bus shuttle." Griz Montana Lager is "now for sale and will be available through next spring when UM celebrates its 125th anniversary." UM in the past year has "partnered with the likes of Craven’s Coffee on a branded coffee, the 'Wear Your Roots' T-shirt company, as well as Big Dipper Ice Cream on a 'Huckle-Beary' cold treat" (THE MISSOULIAN, 8/29).
