Buffalo
Sabres, Amerks continue relationship
The Buffalo Sabres renewed their long-term relationship with the American Hockey League’s Rochester Americans. The franchises will renew their affiliation agreement for the 2006-07 season, with the Sabres providing a minimum of 10 prospects to the Amerks. Rochester has served as Buffalo’s top developmental club for the past 27 seasons, the longest-tenured deal among NHLand AHL teams.
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The famous links are taking a taste of Milwaukee
to the “SportsCenter” setting. |
Miami
Heat playoffs get La Bamba sponsorLa Bamba Check Cashing will be the presenting sponsor of the 2006 Miami Heat playoffs. The La Bamba name and logo will be present on signage, on print and outdoor advertisements promoting the playoffs, and onin-arena giveaway items.
Milwaukee
Famous sausages going commercial
The Klement Sausage Co. racing sausages jetted to Bristol, Conn., to star in their first national television ad. ESPN’s “This is SportsCenter” campaign selected the sausages for a spot to promote “SportsCenter” telecasts and anchors. The spot is expected to air later this summer. The giant-sized sausage mascots race at the bottom of the sixth inning during everyMilwaukee Brewers home game at Miller Park.
Minneapolis - St. Paul
Stadium bill clears House hurdle
A football stadium proposal for the University of Minnesota cleared a major hurdle on April 6 when the Minnesota House approved the bill 103-30. It was the largest of several steps taken during the week that left three stadium plans — also those of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings — in play for approval during the 2006 legislative session. The bill still must pass thestate Senate.
Legislation to create boxing commission
Rep. Andy Westerberg, R-Blaine, sponsored a bill in the Minnesota House that would create a five-person Minnesota Boxing Commission similar to one abolished five years ago during Gov. Jesse Ventura’s term. Supporters saythe commission would help revive boxing in the state and make the sport safer.
New Orleans
Sun Belt picks XOS for replay needs
XOS Technologies was selected by the Sun Belt Conference to provide in-game instant replay capabilities during its conference and nonconference football games in 2006. XOS Replay will enable replay officials to watch, and simultaneously record, live feeds from the various camerasmounted in the stadiums.
Orlando
Magic adjusts prices, increases seating
The NBA Magic will offer 9,752 seats at $30 or less per game next season, and will add 140 courtside seats, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel. The new courtside seats increase TD Waterhouse Centre’s seating capacity from 17,283 to 17,423. Some ad signage will be eliminated tocreate room for the seats, according to the report.
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| Football gifts and gear at NFLShop.com |
Ottawa
CFL Renegades suspendedThe Ottawa Renegades will not participate in the 2006 season. The Canadian Football League is suspending the operations of the franchise while the search for new ownership continues. In making the announcement, theCFL also released a revised game and broadcast schedule for 2006.
Philadelphia
GSI to manage NFLShop.com
GSI Commerce Inc. of King of Prussia, Pa., signed a multiyear contract to manage the e-commerce and merchandise catalog division of the NFL. GSI will be responsible for operating NFLShop.com, where football fans can buy jerseys, hats and other merchandise. GSI already provides Web-based e-commerceservice for MLB, the NHL and NASCAR.
Pittsburgh
Pirates offering ticket kiosk option
The Pittsburgh Pirates will install 10 ticket kiosks and integrate dozens of hand-held ticket scanners at PNC Park. The kiosks will allow fans to search for the best available seats from their desired seat category. Fans can purchase and print their game tickets, and can print tickets purchased online or by phone. The kiosks will be placed in high-trafficlocations outside of PNC Park.
Salem, VA.
Avalanche stadium renamedSalem Memorial Baseball Stadium has been renamed Lewis-Gale Medical Center Field at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. The stadium opened in 1995 and the Class A Salem Avalanche just began its 12th season at the park. The Avalanche celebrated a Carolina League championship in 2001. In 2003, theAvalanche changed affiliation from the Colorado Rockies to the Houston Astros.
Spokane, Wash.
Gonzaga hoops seeing big returns
The Gonzaga University men’s basketball team isn’t just winning on the court. The team’s athletic department also is racking up victories in the form of ticket revenue, donor contributions, TV time and attendance. With the move into Gonzaga’s two-year-old, 6,000-seat McCarthy Athletic Center, total ticket revenue climbed 294 percent, from $190,364 in the fiscalyear ended May 31, 2004, to $750,898 in the current fiscal year.
St. Louis
Rawlings extends Liquidmetal deal
Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. Inc. is extending its partnership with Liquidmetal Technologies Inc. by three years to manufacture and market the Liquidmetal line of high-performance baseball bats. The exclusive contract builds upon an initial partnership established in 2002. Financial terms werenot disclosed.
Tampa
Forum picks ABC as sales rep
The St. Pete Times Forum has chosen ABC Regional Sports Sales as its exclusive national sales representative. The representation agreement covers the arena and the NHL Lightning. ABC Regional Sports Sales will work in conjunction with the marketing staff at the St. Pete Times Forum to sell the numerous sponsorship packages available for all of the sports and entertainmentevents at the arena.
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Driver Brock Yates lends voice and insight
to racetrack documentary. |
Rays partner with AAA for ticket dealsThe Tampa Bay Devil Rays have partnered with AAA Auto Club South on member discounts for all home games. AAA members will get a 50 percent discount and also be able to purchase outfield tickets for $8 and upper reserve tickets for $4. AAA Auto Club South represents nearly 4 million members inFlorida, Georgia, Tennessee and Puerto Rico.
Man U signs $99M jersey deal with AIG
Nearly a year after Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer bought Manchester United, the world-renowned British soccer club is getting even more American influence. Man U signed a jersey sponsorship deal with American International Group Inc. valued at $99.3 million over the next four years. The AIG deal succeeds the team’s previous longtime sponsorship with Vodafone Group, which ended itscontract shortly after Glazer bought the team last summer.
Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Track’s ‘Speed Secrets’ revealed
An instructional DVD detailing the history and driving intricacies of Watkins Glen International has been released. The production, “Speed Secrets at The Glen,” took more than a year to complete. It was done jointly by WGI and Kollins Communications with narration by Brock Yates, alongtime racer at the track.
