BUFFALO
New Era increasing retail footprint
New Era Cap Co. hopes to increase the number of its retail stores to 30 from its eight current outlets by the end of next year. The Buffalo-based headwear retailer has retained Jameson Commercial Real Estate of Chicago to assist in its search for new store locations. In the immediate future, New Era will be opening stores in Montreal and Brazil.
COLUMBUS
Jackets still losing millions
Two years after the Columbus Blue Jackets floated the idea of a public purchase of Nationwide Arena, no one has agreed on a way to help the hockey team stem its financial losses, according to a report in The Columbus Dispatch. The team last year said its deficit runs about $12 million a year, according to the report.
MLS Crew partners with Panera
The Columbus Crew signed a corporate partnership with Panera Bread via franchisee Covelli Enterprises. The partnership consists of a team poster giveaway, a retail promotion, and advertising on the club’s radio broadcasts and within its regional mobile marketing program.
GREEN BAY
Packers eye stadium expansion
The Green Bay Packers hope to begin construction on an expansion at Lambeau Field in February, according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Consultants believe the Packers can add as many as 7,500 seats in the south end-zone area, which was left open when the team finished its $295 million Lambeau Field makeover in 2003.
KANSAS CITY
Royals seek family photos
In conjunction with the Kansas City Royals’ Family FunDay Sundays, fans can submit a family photo taken at Kauffman Stadium for a chance to become the Royals Fan Family of the Week. Each week’s winning photo will be featured online. Fans submitting photos will receive a 50 percent discount offer to attend the next Sunday home game.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers sign 3 partnerships
The Los Angeles Dodgers reached a deal with Muscle Milk that calls for the brand to provide product to the team’s clubhouse for the players, trainers and coaching staff. The Dodgers also signed as a partner Staples, which will have a presence at the Viva Los Dodgers Sundays and La Gran Fiesta events, and the team renewed a partnership with Subway that calls for a permanent sign above the Dodger Stadium scoreboard, promotional materials, and an in-store ticket promotion and sweepstakes.
Dodgers appeal to student budgets
The Dodgers have a new student discount ticket program to encourage walk-up ticket sales. Fans with a valid student ID can purchase a ticket on the Reserve Level for $10 starting two hours prior to game time for the remainder of the 2011 season, a savings of more than 70 percent off day-of-game pricing.
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On-track betting for the Kentucky Derby was up 4.2 percent from 2010. |
LOUISVILLE
Derby breaks attendance record
The crowd for the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 7 was the largest in Churchill Downs history. A total of 164,858 fans visited the track for the race, surpassing the previous record of 163,628 set in 1974. Wagering at Churchill Downs for the day was $23.4 million, a 9 percent increase from 2010. Last year’s Derby drew a crowd of 155,804.
MIAMI
Dolphins staff facing pay cuts
Miami Dolphins CEO Mike Dee last week outlined across-the-board pay cuts for the duration of the lockout, according to a report in The Miami Herald. Those making more than $75,000 will face a 20 percent cut, those making between $50,000 and $75,000 face a 15 percent cut and anyone below $50,000 will be hit with a 10 percent cut, according to the report.
Students win NASCAR challenge
A group of five University of Miami students won the spring 2011 edition of the NASCAR Kinetics: Marketing in Motion competition. The national challenge consisted of two marketing-innovation case studies and an official viewing party for a NASCAR race.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Wolves again tie tickets to draft
The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing back their “Pay the Pick” promotion tied to Tuesday’s NBA draft lottery. Fans will have the chance to purchase an upper-level season ticket whose price per game corresponds to which first-round draft selection spot the team receives. Last year, the Wolves had the No. 4 pick; in 2009 they picked at No. 5; and 2008 at No. 3.
ORLANDO
Stuff’s castle gets sponsor
The Orlando Magic and Wyndham Vacation Ownership established a new, multiyear relationship. The deal makes Wyndham the presenting sponsor for the Stuff’s Magic Castle children’s area at Amway Center.
PHILADELPHIA
Soul hits the streets for practice
The Philadelphia Soul shut down a block of Market Street on May 5 in what the Arena Football League believes was the first professional sports team practice held on the streets of Philadelphia. Ron Jaworski, a Soul co-majority owner, called the event a unique opportunity for fans on their lunch breaks to see the team in person.
WPS team signs 3 sponsors
The Philadelphia Independence added three new corporate sponsors to its roster. Acme becomes the WPS club’s official supermarket partner, Hershey’s reGen muscle recovery beverage becomes the official recovery beverage of the team, and Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Co. will provide players and coaches soft drinks, isotonics, and water products during training sessions.
Union to play EPL Everton
The Philadelphia Union will host English Premier League club Everton on July 20 at PPL Park. The match is included in the Union full-season-ticket package at no additional cost. Full-season-ticket holders will also be invited to attend Everton’s practice session at PPL Park on July 19.
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The NHL has the right to renew the new agreement annually for 10 years. |
PHOENIX
Glendale OKs $25M to keep Coyotes
The Glendale City Council agreed 5-2 to pay the NHL up to an additional $25 million so the Phoenix Coyotes can stay another year in the desert, according to a report in The Arizona Republic. The pledge allows Glendale to continue work on an arena lease with prospective team owner Matthew Hulsizer.
PITTSBURGH
Brewer sponsoring PNC Park concerts
Iron City Brewing Co. will serve as lead sponsor of the Skyblast fireworks and music series scheduled for PNC Park. The series begins June 11 with Huey Lewis & the News, followed by concerts with .38 Special (July 9) and Train (Aug. 6).
RICHMOND, VA.
City bids for cycling event
A delegation from Richmond, Va., took part in two days of meetings at Union Cycliste Internationale headquarters last week in Geneva that could bring the World Road Cycling Championships to Richmond in 2015, according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The two bidding finalists are Richmond and Oman.
SONOMA, CALIF.
Track opens wine with FLASQ deal
Infineon Raceway and FLASQ Wines reached an agreement giving the St. Helena, Calif.-based winery its first U.S. sports venue alliance. FLASQ will have seasonlong display and sampling opportunities at each of the track’s major events, including the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend (June 24-26) and the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals (July 29-31).
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