The Panthers announced Atrium Health as the sponsor of the team's new practice bubble near Bank of America Stadium, which they are calling the Atrium Health Dome. The Panthers will use the facility for indoor practice while their new HQ in Rock Hill, S.C., is being built. Panthers Owner David Tepper also hopes to rent the bubble out as hospitality or conference space when not in use for football. Terms of the deal are not known and the team declined to comment. Atrium Health branding already appears on the team's practice bubble (Ben Fischer, THE DAILY).
FRIENDLY FIRE: USA TODAY's Jori Epstein noted Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, at a press conference Thursday for RB Ezekiel Elliott's new contract, presented the player with a T-shirt referencing the "Zeke who?" joke Jones made during Elliott's 41-day holdout. The shirt "reads 'ZEKE WHO?' across the chest" and "on the back 'THAT'S WHO!' is splashed above a Cowboys logo star and below a silhouette of Elliott hurdling." The Cowboys were putting "Zeke Who" shirts on sale online beginning Thursday, with proceeds "going to Salvation Army" (USA TODAY, 9/5).
CHICKEN RUN: AD AGE's Jessica Wohl noted actor Sean Astin "returns to character as Rudy" from the '93 film of the same name in a new campaign for KFC. Instead of "pushing himself to try to get to play football for Notre Dame, Rudy is pushing himself to try to become the next Colonel Sanders in a spot called 'Rudy II.'" The campaign from Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, debuts as the NFL season kicks off. KFC plans to "air four Rudy spots through November, and says it may include a cameo by the real Rudy Ruettiger" (ADAGE.com, 9/5).
SKINS GAME: The NFL has teamed up with Epic Games again to include special NFL league/team-branded outfits in Fortnite for a limited time. Terms were not revealed for the deal, which will see Fortnite’s Battle Royale Item Shop start offering NFL-related items from a special “Fourth Down Set,” including the outfits, which include teams and a referee uniform; special celebrations; and equipment like pickaxes and gliders. This is the second time the NFL and Fortnite have done such a collaboration (Adam Stern, THE DAILY).
PERFECT PARTNER: In Milwaukee, Nick Williams noted the Packers are "expanding their partnership with Oneida Nation of Wisconsin," which will "allow the Oneida Nation to advertise its casino locations inside Lambeau Field and on other platforms with the Packers." The team has "worked with the tribe for more than 20 years." Under the partnership, Oneida Casino "becomes the official casino of the Packers" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/3).
