The N.Y. POST noted Greg Norman is about to "announce a big investment with Verizon" in N.Y. next month that he "says will be a game-changer for golf, and bring innovation and technology to the game." The aim is to "grow the game and attract new and younger players." Norman and business partner David Chessler are "investing 'tens of millions of dollars' with Verizon into a new golf technology" (NYPOST.com, 10/2). Norman will be the featured interview at the '17 Stadium Sports Marketing Symposium, which is taking place Nov. 1-2 at Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan.
RESPECT THE SWAG? UCLA wore all-white Under Armour uniforms Saturday night, and in L.A., Scott Wolf asks, "Does tradition count for anything anymore?" Not when the school has a "new apparel deal with Under Armour." Wolf: "Go wear those in Memphis or Tucson where nobody cares. But don’t subject your loyal season-ticket holders to gimmicky uniforms." Instead of wearing a throwback from '67 to honor the 50th anniversary of Gary Beban’s Heisman Trophy, UCLA "unveiled yet another all-white uniform." It is "supposed to generate buzz and appeal to recruits." If the school wants to "get a recruit’s attention, winning is always the best method" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/3).
CHICKEN DINNER: In Charlotte, Mark Price noted Panthers C Ryan and OT Matt Kalil are in a "new commercial for Bojangles’." The 30-second spot "portrays the two brothers sharing a meal at the restaurant, while Ryan Kalil explains in classic deadpan fashion the deeper meaning of chicken." Ryan Kalil tweeted out the commercial this week, adding: “If I were a restaurant, I’d be a Bojangles’" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/1).
EXTRA TOPPINGS: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted Northern Virginia-based pizza chain Paisano's debuted a new ad during last week's "TNF" "featuring a mostly new cast of very recognizable characters" including Redskins WR Terrelle Pryor, LB Ryan Kerrigan as well as former Redskins Santana Moss, Ken Harvey, Brian Mitchell, former Capitals player Craig Laughlin and current Capitals RW Tom Wilson. Former Redskins WR Pierre Garcon, who now plays for the 49ers "is gone" after being the "face of Paisano's for five years" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/29).
