In L.A., Jeff Miller notes the Angels' team store at Tempe Diable Stadium is "full of items related" to P/DH Shohei Ohtani. His likeness "can be found on pennants, can coolers and beach towels." Depending on sales in '18, he could "prove to be a three-way star for the Angels" (L.A. TIMES, 3/4).
OFF TO THE RACES: In Charlotte, Brendan Marks notes linen and uniform rental company Alsco will be the "new sponsor" for Charlotte Motor Speedway's NASCAR Xfinity Series race on May 26, the "same weekend as the Coca-Cola 600." Alsco "becomes the sponsor instead of Hisense, which has sponsored the race" since '15. Alsco also "sponsors an Xfinity race at Kentucky Speedway, making it one of just two companies to sponsor multiple Xfinity races" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/5).
I'M EVERY WOMAN: ADWEEK's Kristina Monllos noted Nike during last night's Academy Awards telecast ran a new ad intended to "celebrate Serena Williams." The 30-second spot via Wieden + Kennedy, Portland, includes a "voiceover by the tennis star, who makes a powerful statement about womanhood, race and motherhood." Williams said, "I’m still looking to the future, to breaking down additional barriers like gender equality and pay equality. It doesn’t happen overnight" (ADWEEK.com, 3/5).
