In Atlanta, Eric Mandel noted Hawks F Vince Carter has "provided a major assist off the court -- helping boost the team's jersey sales by 152% year-over-year," as his jersey was the 20th-best selling on NBA.com during the '18-19 season. Carter and rookie G Trae Young (who ranked No. 36 in jersey sales overall) "helped lift the team's total retail sales by 26%" from the previous year, with the jersey sales bump "driving significant growth." Jersey sales "accounted for 19% of the teams total sales this season" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/7).
SWEET TOOTH: Kit Kat has "entered into its first esports partnership as the official candy sponsor" of Overwatch League team L.A. Valiant. The Valiant will "collaborate with Kit Kat to produce original digital and social content" throughout the '19 season. The non-endemic sponsorship also "includes naming rights to Rivalry Weekend" on Aug. 24-25 (ESPORTSOBSERVER.com, 5/6).
OUT IN FRONT: USL club Detroit City FC is "heading into the season with Stroh Brewery Co. as its new title sponsor." The Stroh's logo "will be featured" on the front of all the team's jerseys. The partnership "will run" for the duration of '19, but the team "declined to disclose other terms of the deal." Stroh's replaces Lyft as the club's top sponsor (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 5/8).
