McDonald's drops Bryant
McDonald's said it would not renew its  |
| Bryant loses a second endorsement. |
three-year endorsement deal with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, which expired Dec. 31. McDonald's director of sports marketing John Lewicki told espn.com that McDonald's will "maintain an open dialogue with" Bryant in the future. McDonald's is the second company to let its relationship with Bryant expire since he was accused of sexual assault last summer. Ferrero USA, which signed Bryant to endorse its hazelnut spread Nutella through this month, announced in August that it would not renew Bryant's deal.
Bush: 'Get rid of steroids'
President George Bush used his State of the Union address last week to call for a crackdown on performance-enhancing drugs in pro sports. Bush said, "The use of performance-enhancing drugs like steroids in baseball, football and other sports is dangerous and it sends the wrong message: that there are short cuts to accomplishment and that performance is more important than character. So tonight I call on team owners, union representatives, coaches and players to take the lead, to send the right signal, to get tough and to get rid of steroids now."
Davis calls lawsuit 'trash'
Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis met the media last week in a rare press conference and discussed the lawsuit filed against him by the family of the late E.J. McGah. The suit claims Davis has misused team funds for his personal benefit, and Davis was quoted in the Los Angeles Times responding, "I think it's harassment, nuisance, trash. There have been accusations relative to me that are not true, not even close to being true."
NASCAR readies its 'chase'
NASCAR last week formally announced the revised format for its points system, including the creation of the "Chase for the Championship" during the final 10 races of the 36-race Nextel Cup Series. NASCAR President Mike Helton told The New York Times, "The modifications will focus more attention on our sport during the fall season when we're in competition with other major sports."
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