MARKETING NEWS
SPONSORSHIPS
Lucas Oil Products signed a multiyear agreement to become the title sponsor of the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series event at Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed a multiyear deal with Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep giving the automaker standing as the team's official vehicle.
Applied Materials, a supplier of products and services to the global semiconductor industry, agreed to a three-year sponsorship of the Women's John R. Wooden Award. Traditionally honoring the most prestigious men's college basketball player, the Wooden Award will present the Women's Wooden Award for the first time at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season.
FACILITIES NEWS
SMG signed a renewal contract to continue managing the Florence (S.C.) Civic Center, home to the ECHL Florence Pride.
Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Philadelphia-based Comcast-Spectacor, has been selected to operate the new Rio Grande Valley Events Center in Hidalgo, Texas.
BUSINESS NEWS
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
SportsWrx Inc., a newly formed company dedicated to sports publishing, sponsorship development and event marketing for emerging sports, acquired all the stock of TPG Sports Inc., a Minneapolis-based custom publishing and marketing services company. The portfolio of properties includes American Hockey and US Youth Soccer.
BUSINESS NOTES
Prince Sports Inc. opened its new European headquarters, Prince Europe Ltd., in London. Vice president and general manager Mike Ballardie and finance and operations director Darren Taylor will manage Prince's European, Middle East and African businesses from the new location.
SmartDM, a Nashville direct marketing firm, signed a contract with the Texas Rangers to provide data management services through its proprietary data management technology, DirectTR@K.
MEDIA NEWS
RADIO
The Chicago Blackhawks signed an agreement to air all 82 regular-season games and playoff games on WSCR-AM for the 2003-04 season.
Rick Horrow has become a regular on Business Talk Radio on the program "Sports Biz" with Fred Wollin and also on Sports Byline USA on the program "Inside Slant" with Fred Wollin talking about sports business.
CHARITY NEWS
The Race Fest at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Ill., raised more than $50,000 for the Mike Guglielmucci Sr. Racer's Benevolent Fund, which was created eight years ago to honor Guglielmucci and benefit drivers injured in auto racing-related accidents.
Phillies Phestival, the Philadelphia Phillies' annual charity event, raised a record $502,441 at this year's event, which benefits research efforts to find new treatments for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Mervyn's department store and MLB are teaming for an online auction aimed at raising money for MLB's Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities campaign. The Mervyn's Bases to Benefit RBI program features baseball bases, decorated and autographed by entertainment celebrities and MLB players, available for bid via mlb.com. Proceeds from the auction, scheduled to conclude today, will benefit RBI, which promotes youth interest in baseball and encourages kids to stay in school. The program is an extension of a regional effort last year of Mervyn's and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal research
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