ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted AEG had a "huge sales day from Monday's jersey retirement" of Kobe Bryant. AEG VP/Merchandise Sean Ryan said that the company "sold $824,000 in Kobe merchandise at its four locations that day." The sales number included "$616,000 at the Staples Center, $147,000 in sales online, $39,000 at a New Era hat store and $22,000 at the Lakers Store in El Segundo." Jerseys made for the event "sold for $524 each, while hats sold for $38.24" (ESPN.com, 12/20).
DOUBLE VISION: BROADCASTING & CABLE's Jon Lafayette noted one of the new things NBC has been doing this NFL season is what it calls the Coach’s Challenge Double Box, where in "one box on screen, viewers can tune in as officials watch an instant replay to review a call on the field." On the other side, a "commercial plays, with audio." NBC has done this "several times this season with sponsors including Microsoft and Bose, and plans at least one more showing during the regular season." The NFL is looking at the research on the six-second ads before "deciding whether or not to let the experiment continue" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 12/18 issue).
DOWN IN SACKSONVILLE: ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco noted brothers Fred and Christian Dye teamed up to design a T-shirt and hoodie to commemorate the Jaguars making the playoffs. The shirt displays the words, "Playoffs? No Baloney!" The design is "inspired by coach Doug Marrone's love of bologna and cheese sandwiches." The shirts are "for sale through Redbubble" (ESPN.com, 12/18).
