ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
CHL team ownership includes NHL vets
The New Mexico Scorpions of the Central Hockey League introduced the new ownership group of the franchise. Scorpions Hockey Club is a joint combination of veteran NHL players and experienced business leaders including Dave Ellett, Brian Savage, David Dewar, Ken Losch and Robin Woolcox.
BAKERSFIELD, CALIF.
D-League goes west with the Jam
The NBA Development League awarded an expansion franchise to Bakersfield, Calif., for the 2006-07 season. The Bakersfield Jam will be owned and operated by Bakersfield Professional Sports. The team will play its home games at Rabobank Arena.
BLOOMINGTON, IND.
Coach Davis made money by resigning
The $800,000 in severance Indiana University President Adam Herbert agreed to pay outgoing basketball coach Mike Davis is more generous than what the school would have owed had it fired the coach. Under the terms of Davis’ contract, Indiana would have had to pay him $450,000 if he had been fired at the end of this season. That’s his base salary of $225,000 for each of the remaining two years on his contract.
 |
| RE/MAX’s Chuck Lemire and Celtics
forward Wally Szczerbiak play handymen. |
BOSTON
Celtics green coming to home courtsThe Boston Celtics and RE/MAX of New England announced the “RE/MAX of New England Home Court Program.” The program will renovate the home basketball courts of three lucky fans with a Celtics theme. The Celtics and RE/MAX of New England will also host a free basketball clinic in the community of each winner. To win, fans submit a 500-word essay along with photos explaining why they need a “Home Court Makeover.”
Fenway upgrade awards naming rights
State Street Corp. will receive naming rights to Fenway Park’s newest major improvement, the “State Street Pavilion,” which is scheduled to debut on Opening Day. The State Street Pavilion will include the top half of the former .406 Club as well as the seating areas down the first and third base lines formerly occupied by the infield roof boxes.
BUFFALO
New Era, Inferno develop facilities
New Era Cap Co. is expanding into grassroots baseball instruction through a partnership with the operators of a local group, Inferno Baseball, on a multifacility venture. The first indoor facility, already renamed, is now known as New Era Park. Two other developments designed for baseball and softball instruction are planned in the next 18 months.
CHICAGO
Sky welcomes Destiny’s Child singer
The Chicago Sky, the newest WNBA team, announced that musical artist Michelle Williams is part of its group of minority owners. Williams, of Destiny’s Child, will be in Chicago on Feb. 27-28 to participate in special events for the Sky. Williams is a native and resident of Rockford, Ill.
CINCINNATI
Old Spice climbs aboard Flying Pig
Old Spice will sponsor a new contest that will be part of this year’s Flying Pig Marathon on May 7 in Cincinnati. Old Spice becomes a Flying Pig sponsor with the Old Spice High Endurance Race to the Finish. The event, new to this year’s eighth edition of the marathon, features prizes for participants who run the last mile of the marathon in the fastest time.
 |
| Young fans don a special “do” and greet
forward Anderson Varejao before tipoff. |
CLEVELAND
Brazilian curls fill the QIt was a sea of mop tops at the Cavaliers-Magic game last week when fans sported wild heads of hair just like Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao. Everyone in attendance received a Varejao-style wig courtesy of Quicken Loans. Varejao, who hails from Santa Teresa, Brazil, scored a night to call his own as the Cavs also celebrated a Brazilian Carnaval theme for the game. A pregame parade and halftime entertainment rounded out the theme.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.
PBR officially rides with Yamaha
Yamaha signed on as the new official all-terrain vehicle and side-by-side vehicle of the Professional Bull Riders. The agreement between Yamaha and Colorado Springs-based PBR Inc. represents a comprehensive sponsorship package including media and television components.
DENVER
Broncos players suing hedge fund firm
A group including current and former Denver Broncos players filed a lawsuit in Georgia against an Atlanta-based hedge fund company, International Management Associates, accusing its managers of theft, forgery and fraud, the Wall Street Journal reported. Among the plaintiffs are Terrell Davis, Steve Atwater, Rod Smith and Ray Crockett.
DETROIT
3M to title sponsor Nextel Cup race
3M will be the title sponsor of the June 18 3M Performance 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. 3M’s title sponsorship will complement the 3M Car Care Auto Fair to be held on the MIS grounds during the Aug. 18-20 race weekend.
DURHAM, N.C.
Duke lacrosse running with Brine
Duke University will be the first Division I lacrosse team to be completely outfitted from head to toe in Brine gear. When the Blue Devils take the field for the 2006 season, their helmets, uniforms, protective gear, sticks and footwear will be part of Brine’s new offerings. Brine is based in Milford, Mass.
Wilson steps to the plate with Duke
Duke University baseball agreed to a multiyear equipment deal with Wilson. Blue Devils sluggers will swing DeMarini bats, including the Vexxum and the Voodoo, and will use Wilson Pro Stock baseball gloves, helmets and protective gear during games and practices.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
NBA Nets seek fan talent for theme song
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Nets part-owner and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, launched a contest with HOT 97 FM, the New Jersey Nets and Sprite for amateur performers to write and record a Nets theme song. The winner, chosen by Jay-Z, will have the opportunity to perform the song live at a Nets home game this season.
HOUSTON
Dribbler bounces into record books
A 41-year-old Phoenix schoolteacher dribbled a Spalding Never Flat basketball for 26 consecutive hours through the streets of Houston and the 450,000 square feet of NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Nokia at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center. Joseph Odhiambo bounced the basketball on the hardwood floor as well as the paved streets of Houston an estimated 140,000 times to set a Guinness World Record.
INDIANAPOLIS
NCAA adds Mellencamp to Indiana theme
John Mellencamp will headline a special all-day concert on April 2, the Sunday between the NCAA men’s basketball semifinals on Saturday and the championship on Monday. The free show will take place at Monument Circle in celebration of the city’s hosting of the Final Four.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers choose marketing agency
The Los Angeles Dodgers chose Young & Rubicam Brands, Irvine, Calif., as its marketing agency of record following a comprehensive agency review. Tagg Romney, chief marketing officer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, cited the agency’s successful cross-discipline model, breadth of resources, creative talent and a demonstrated passion for the Dodgers and their fans.
 |
| The NFL Dolphins’ new bubble should be
ready for summer training camp. |
MIAMI
Dolphins building indoor facilityThe Miami Dolphins have begun construction on a $9 million indoor practice facility, which is being built on the west side of the existing training facility in Davie, Fla. Stiles Corp. of Fort Lauderdale is the general contractor. The 96,600-square-foot structure is scheduled to be completed in July, coinciding with the opening of Dolphins training camp.
MILWAUKEE
More club seats for Bradley Center
The Milwaukee Bucks will expand the club seating area in the Bradley Center for the 2006-07 season. The team is working with Bradley Center officials on a plan that could include converting additional suites or replacing several rows of seats in the lower level of the seating bowl, directly in front of the current club seats, known as Club Cambria, said John Steinmiller, Bucks vice president of business operations.
NEW YORK
Nassau Coliseum finalists selected
Islanders co-owner Charles Wang and partner Reckson Associates are one of two finalists selected by Nassau County to redevelop the Nassau Coliseum and surrounding 77 acres, according to a report in Newsday. The other group consists of the New York Mets Development Corp., Sterling Equities and Blumenfeld Development Group.
PHILADELPHIA
Sixers coach hosting weekly show
Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks signed a deal to host a weekly radio show on WIP-AM. The hourlong show, “Mondays With Mo,” will run through the end of the Sixers’ season. WIP’s Glen Macnow will co-host the program, which will feature listener phone calls.
Phantoms auction game-worn replicas Members of the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms wore replica jerseys of those worn by the 1980 U.S. Olympic team for “Olympic Jersey Night.” The first 4,000 fans in attendance at the Feb. 17 game against the Chicago Wolves received a commemorative Olympic poster as part of the promotion. After the game, the jerseys were auctioned off at the Cingular Pavilion next to the Wachovia Center.
NFL players head to Wharton School
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania will host more than 35 NFL players Feb. 26-March 1 and April 3-5 as part of an NFL-NFL Players Association initiative to assist players in preparing for their post-playing careers. Players will attend the three-day session taught by Wharton faculty.
PITTSBURGH
Bettis in the booth for homecoming
Recently retired Steelers running back Jerome Bettis joined NBC as an analyst for Sunday night games. Bettis, 34, retired earlier this month after helping Pittsburgh beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL. His first game will be in Pittsburgh on Sept. 7.
PLANTATION, FLA.
Dreams Inc. posts record net income
Dreams Inc. announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2006, and the nine-month period ending Dec. 31. Net income for the sports memorabilia firm increased 51 percent to a record $1.6 million for the quarter ending Dec. 31, compared with $1 million for the comparable quarter of 2004. For the nine-month period ending Dec. 31, net income increased to a record $1.2 million, compared with $178,000 for the comparable nine-month period of 2004.
SAN DIEGO
Padres, SDSU hold MBA competition
The Padres and San Diego State’s Sports Business Management MBA program hosted the first SDSU Sports MBA Case Competition on Feb. 11 at the Padres’ Petco Park offices. Seven teams of MBA students from SDSU, USC’s Marshall School of Business and the UCLA Anderson School of Management examined a case study developed by the Padres that outlined numerous challenges that team executives could face.
SEATTLE
Mayor’s plan backs KeyArena upgrades
A citizens panel appointed by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has endorsed the outlines of a Sonics proposal to extend hotel, rental-car and restaurant taxes now used to finance Qwest and Safeco fields to fund $200 million in KeyArena renovations, according to the Seattle Times. The panel also said that city leaders should try to keep the Sonics as the anchor tenant, but not “at any cost.”
TAMPA
Bucs raising ticket prices $1 to $6
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will raise ticket prices for the fourth year in a row in 2006, with increases of $1 to $6 a seat depending on their location in Raymond James Stadium. Tickets will range from $30 to $74 a game in eight price levels, and club seat prices will also be adjusted.
Outback extends deal for pro-am
Tampa-based Outback Steakhouse Inc. has extended its contract with the PGA Tour to sponsor the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am golf tournament for four more years. The $1.6 million event originated in 2004, with Outback taking over the newly formatted event that replaced the Verizon Classic seniors event. NBC will televise the tournament starting next year.
Bucs may split cost of pat-downs
The Tampa Sports Authority said that it is close to resolving its dispute with the Buccaneers over security costs at Raymond James Stadium, according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times. Authority Executive Director Henry Saavedra said that the team has offered to split the cost of pat-downs and other security expenses.
TORONTO
Apparel line features Gretzky name
Roots Canada launched a new clothing line bearing the name of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. The Roots Wayne Gretzky Collection of custom-designed jackets, sweat shirts, T-shirts, toques and hats will be predominantly black with gold trim and a specially designed crest. A portion of proceeds from sales will be donated to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation, which helps underprivileged kids participate in hockey programs.
 |
| The Toledo Storm and Trenton faced off
on the Titans’ customized tinted ice. |
TRENTON, N.J.
Hockey ice wears red for women Global Spectrum, along with the Trenton Titans of the ECHL, painted the Sovereign Bank Arena ice red this month in honor of the third annual National Wear Red for Women Day on Feb. 3. Fans were encouraged to wear red to help bring attention to the No. 1 killer of women, cardiovascular disease. The ice effect was accomplished by adding clear ice over a layer of red paint on the arena’s existing ice.
WAILUKU, HAWAII
Hoops invitational boosts economy
Last year’s EA Sports Maui Invitational generated a record $12.1 million for the local economy, according to the Maui Visitors Bureau. The invitational’s economic impact resulted from direct operational expenditures with local businesses as well as the nearly 5,000 out-of-state visitors who traveled to Maui.
