USA Curling has signed Toyota as a sponsor, becoming the fifth winter NGB to have a deal with the IOC TOP sponsor. Toyota's rights include positions in Curling's Paralympic program, national championships, Curling Night in America broadcasts on NBCSN and some ‘21 team trials events leading into the ‘22 Beijing Games. Toyota Group Manager for Olympic & Paralympic Marketing Dedri DeLilli said the automaker likes the grassroots, participatory nature of curling, which has seen an explosion in local club membership in recent years (Ben Fischer, THE DAILY).
CASUAL FRIDAY: Rickie Fowler during the second round of the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open wore a "button-down, Hawaiian-style shirt that he kept untucked" as part of Puma Golf's "Play Loose" collection. Fowler "sought and received permission from PGA Tour officials to wear an untucked shirt in competition." Fowler plans to wear "more 'Play Loose' attire when the Tour heads to Florida for next month's Honda Classic" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/25).
ALEX THE GREAT: Astros 3B Alex Bregman will be on the cover of the "RBI Baseball 19" video game, becoming the "first Astros player to receive the honor in 17 years." He also is the "fourth straight player under the age of 25 featured on the cover," joining Indians SS Francisco Lindor ('18), Dodgers SS Corey Seager ('17) and Red Sox RF Mookie Betts ('16) (CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES, 1/27). The Canadian version of the game, which goes on sale in March, will feature Blue Jays 2B Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/27).
