Coast to Coast

CHICAGO
NFL hires Navigate for analyses
The NFL hired Navigate Marketing to support its research and planning for league partners. Responsibilities will include competitor analysis, category analysis and ROI initiatives. Chicago-based Navigate recently signed U.S. Cellular and GMR Marketing as clients.

The event will add more premium
club spacegreenside at Quail
Hollow Club.

CHARLOTTE
Wachovia pitches at Bobcats Arena
The Wachovia Championship targeted Charlotte Bobcats suite holders at a recent game in the sales kickoff for the tournament’s new premium tickets, according to a report in The Charlotte Observer. The tournament is selling 200 tickets at $2,000 each for the new Overlook Club, which offers access to a tent near the 17th tee with views of the 14th and 16th holes, according to the report.

CINCINNATI
Adidas, UC sign 4-year apparel deal
The University of Cincinnati has signed a four-year deal that calls for Adidas to supply apparel and footwear to the Bearcats’ football team. The full package calls for Adidas to pay $11.5 million. Of that, $3.4 million, or $825,000 a year, goes to the football team.

DENVER
Legislature considers ticket-reselling bill
A bill before the Colorado Legislature is attempting to address whether Denver Broncos season-ticket holders can resell their tickets. If passed, the bill would allow the resale of the tickets at any price. The Broncos oppose the bill and the team has a policy that season-ticket holders must use its TicketExchange service.

Rockies boosting ticket prices
After last year’s appearance in the World Series, the Colorado Rockies will start this season with higher ticket prices. The top seats for Opening Day will run $100, up from $47 last year. And season-ticket holders will pay as much as 15 percent more, depending on the location of their seats.

DETROIT
Tigers season-ticket sales pass 24,000
After setting a total attendance record last season, and making a series of trades that give the Detroit Tigers a lineup with all-stars at almost every position, season-ticket sales have exceeded 24,000 full-season equivalents. Some fans with 27- and 41-game packages are being moved to different locations as the demand for 81-game packages increases.

GLENDALE, ARIZ.
Donruss features Patriots milestones
Donruss Trading Card Co. will be handing out trading cards at the NFL Experience at the Super Bowl. Donruss created a special card to commemorate the New England Patriots’ undefeated regular season. The card has an image of NFL MVP Tom Brady on the front, as well as offensive standouts Randy Moss and Wes Welker. The trading cards will be available free to those visiting the Donruss booth at the event.

“A Shoulder Pad to Cry On”
and “CruisingAltitude” were
honored for excellence.

HOUSTON
Winner repeats in Canon challenge
Diana Porter, 41, of Houston, and Nate Shron, 16, of Sudbury, Mass., were named the winners of the adult and teen divisions of the Canon and Pro Football Hall of Fame “Why Do You Love Football?” photo challenge. Each won a trip for four to attend Super Bowl XLII in Arizona. This is the second straight year that Porter has won the contest. Porter’s photo, “A Shoulder Pad to Cry On,” was taken at a Katy Youth Football League game, and depicts Daniel Brents resting his head on the shoulder of fellow second-grader Chandler Baskerville after their team lost the coin toss. Shron’s photo, “Cruising Altitude,” was taken during a Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School game.

Texans ticket prices rising 7 percent
The Houston Texans will increase ticket prices by an average of 7 percent after finishing 8-8 this year, the best record in team history, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle. The average ticket price will rise to $64.94, up from $60.66 this season, but still below this season’s NFL average of $68.33. The price on more than 8,600 seats will not change, according to the report.

MILWAUKEE
New Admirals lease requires rent
The AHL Milwaukee Admirals signed a new four-year lease with the Bradley Center that will require the team to pay rent for the first time in several years. The Admirals have not paid rent since the 2001-02 season when the team changed owners. The team will pay $2,500 for each Friday night game and $10,000 for each Saturday night game.

Brewers adding kids zone, retail store
The Milwaukee Brewers are adding a kids interactive area, a retail store and are renovating the former .300 Club at Miller Park. The 8,000-square-foot kids area will be sponsored by Associated Banc-Corp.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
DQ presenting annual ‘Hockey Day’
Dairy Queen will be the presenting sponsor for the second annual Hockey Day Minnesota, set for Feb. 9. The day will include more than 16 hours of hockey programming on FSN North, including five full games from three locations. Hockey Day Minnesota debuted Jan. 20, 2007, with 11 hours of programming, including four live hockey telecasts.

Transit riders get Wolves ticket break
Minnesota Timberwolves fans can ride the bus or light rail transit and receive discounts on game tickets. Anyone taking public transportation on Tuesdays can save the ride ticket and take it to the box office before any Tuesday game and receive a $35 ticket for $20. The offer is sponsored by Metro Transit, which operates public transportation in the Twin Cities.

PHILADELPHIA
Sixers bundle foursome packages
The Philadelphia 76ers launched a new promotion called “Sixers Guys Night Out.” The ticket package for Wednesday night games features four lower-level tickets, four beers, four hot dogs, four Holt’s Cigar Co. passes and four autographed Sixers dancers posters for $149. As a bonus, the team also is including a meet-and-greet session with members of the dance team.

PORTLAND
Shoemaker Li Ning sets up shop
China-based Li Ning Co., the No. 3 athletic shoe manufacturer in China, behind Nike and Adidas, opened a design office in Portland, according to a report in The (Portland) Oregonian. Sources note the company wants to tap the pool of creative talent in the region and has hired former Nike and Converse designer Alan Hardy. Li Ning has contracts with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones and Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.

SAN FRANCISCO
Giants have eye on mixed-use project
The San Francisco Giants are preparing to ask the Port of San Francisco for the rights to develop the parking lot next to AT&T Park with a ballpark village that features clubs, shops, a garage and a concert hall, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. The Giants are teaming with Maryland-based Farallon Capital Management and Cordish Co. to propose the $250 million mixed-use development, according to the report.