ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted Falcons WR Julio Jones was "wearing Air Jordans on the sidelines" during the team's preseason game against the Chiefs on Friday, "publicly acknowledging that he is no longer part of Under Armor." Under Armour VP/Brand Communications Dean Stoyer confirmed that Under Armour has "mutually parted ways with Jones, one of its flashiest assets." The severing between the two, who had one more year on the deal, "happened weeks ago, but neither side had acknowledged a breakup and Jones continued to wear his Under Armour cleats and gloves in camp" (ESPN.com, 8/17).
OPEN PRIMARY: The AP's Jenna Fryer noted Furniture Row Racing is "seeking a primary sponsor for next year, and does not have contracts" with Martin Truex Jr. or manufacturer Toyota. Truex said that he "hopes to have a better idea on what his future holds in the next few weeks." He said, "Right now, we need sponsorship. That’s as simple as it gets. Is there a 50 percent chance we get that in the next couple of weeks? Or is there a 100 percent chance? Or is there 2 percent?" The team "had a breakout" '17 season and won the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series title, but 5-Hour Energy is "leaving at the end of the season and Visser doesn’t want to return to funding the operation out of pocket" (AP, 8/17).
RADIO STAR? In N.Y., Jason Notte notes sports radio is "still a niche, but one of increasing interest for advertisers." ESPN VP/Multimedia Sales ESPN Deportes & ESPN Audio John Fitzgerald said that ESPN Radio had "about 30 advertisers when he began working with the company 20 years ago." It has "more than 300 now, and the field of advertisers has diversified." ESPN Senior VP Traug Keller said that sports radio advertisers "once fell into male-focused categories like grooming and beer, but that has changed" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/20).
