MARKETING AND LICENSING DEALS
The Washington Capitals signed a marketing partnership with Ashburn Ice House, which becomes the fourth local facility affiliated with the Capitals.
ESPN Videogames signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Warren Sapp as the official spokesman and cover athlete for "ESPN NFL Football." The game will be the first one released under the newly formed ESPN Videogames brand as a collaboration between Sega, Visual Concepts and ESPN.
The Marine Corps Marathon signed a licensing agreement with Brooks Sports Inc., a running company with headquarters in Bothell, Wash. Brooks Sports becomes the first company to manage production, design and marketing for all Marine Corps Marathon licensed and commemorative gear. The 28th annual marathon will take place Oct. 26 in Washington, D.C.
SPONSORSHIPS
Credit card issuer MBNA Corp. will sponsor the IHRA's "Night of Fire" at the 22nd annual Northern Nationals, to be held at US 131 Motorsports Park (Aug. 8-10) in Martin, Mich., and the 12th annual Presidents Cup Nationals, to be held at Maryland International Raceway (Sept. 26-28) in Budds Creek, Md.
Atlanta's CBS 46 television station and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are the official media partners of Road Atlanta for the June 27-29 Chevy Grand Prix of Atlanta. The weekend of racing at the 2.54-mile road racing circuit will feature an American Le Mans Series event, which will be televised live by CBS Sports.
Honda Element will be the title sponsor of the $175,000 Honda Element U.S. Open of Surfing presented by O'Neill. The professional surfing competition will be held July 26-Aug. 3 at Huntington Beach Pier.
NewConnexions Inc., a rewards-based Internet service provider, signed a two-year National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention sponsorship agreement.
The MSM Sports Marketing Group formed a sponsorship agreement between professional golfer Kevin Haefner and Rochester, N.Y.-based BCC Software. BCC Software will receive logo positioning on Haefner's golf apparel, as well as promotional appearances and product endorsement opportunities.
Pepsi Bottling Group renewed its partnership with Nazareth (Pa.) Speedway as the speedway's official soft drink.
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Sports Management Network Inc. motorsports consulting division SMN Motorsports has joined Penske Racing Inc. and Quicken Loans Inc. in a marketing and business development agreement, designed to leverage the platform of IndyCar racing to drive business and brand awareness for Quicken Loans.
Girls-only action-sports clinics Op Girls Learn To Ride signed American Honda Motor Co. as a supporting sponsor and Gallaz footwear as an associate sponsor of 11 Southern California events.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed a multiyear deal with Florida Citrus Growers. Coach Jon Gruden will serve as spokesman for a campaign focused on building statewide awareness of the ways in which citrus contributes to Florida's social and economic welfare.
