ATLANTA
Braves honor Aaron anniversary
Forty years after Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run over Fulton County Stadium’s outfield wall, the Atlanta Braves will celebrate that event by wearing a commemorative patch on their right sleeve during the 2014 season. The red and navy patch is in the shape of home plate and has Aaron’s autograph across the numbers 715.
AUGUSTA, GA.
Eisenhower Tree eliminated
Augusta National Golf Club’s famous Eisenhower Tree on the 17th hole was damaged in a recent ice storm and has been removed. The tree got its moniker because the former president of that name often hit into it when playing the course and in 1956 proposed cutting it down.
BUFFALO
Bills sign Admar Supply at stadium
The Buffalo Bills reached a sponsorship deal with Admar Supply, the construction equipment supplier for renovations to Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Rochester, N.Y.-based firm will offer subcontractors at the stadium access to equipment. The stadium project calls for $130 million in upgrades.
CHARLOTTE
Panthers raising ticket prices
The Carolina Panthers are raising ticket prices for the first time in four years. A $21 increase per game will affect 2,400 season-ticket holders, and the majority of seats will increase $2 to $5 each per game.
CHICAGO
FM sports talk station launches
WGN Radio last week launched a sports talk radio outlet, WGWG-FM “The Game,” which will be affiliated with the NBC Sports Radio network, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Tribune Co. agreed to operate the station through a lease with its owner, Los Angeles-based Venture Technologies Group.
CINCINNATI
National Sports Forum awarded
Cincinnati will be the host for next year’s National Sports Forum, the annual gathering of the top team sports marketing, sales, promotions and event entertainment executives in the country. The event is scheduled for Feb. 8-10. The bid effort was led by the Greater Cincinnati Sports Corp.
DENVER
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ELWAY
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Elway signs new contract
John Elway will remain in the front office of the Denver Broncos for another three seasons. The former quarterback, who’s been executive vice president of football operations for the Broncos for three years, signed a new contract that runs through the 2017 season. He also was named general manager of the team.
DETROIT
Red Wings sign suite-level partner
The Detroit Red Wings and Olympia Entertainment reached a multiyear partnership with Rehmann to give the Michigan-based CPA and business consulting firm the exclusive naming rights to the suite level at Joe Louis Arena for all sports and entertainment events at the venue.
HOUSTON
Documents: Net owes teams millions
Documents filed in the CSN Houston bankruptcy case show that the Houston Astros and Houston Rockets contend they are each owed more than $27 million in unpaid rights fees by the network, according to a Houston Chronicle report. The teams top a list of entities holding the 25 largest unsecured claims against the network, a run that totals about $60 million.
JACKSONVILLE
NASL team gets Armada name
Armada FC will be the name of Jacksonville’s new NASL club. The name and color scheme — navy blue, royal blue, gold and white — were selected with fan input.
LOS ANGELES
Dodgers parking fee rising to $15
The price of general-admission parking at Dodger Stadium this season will go up from $10 to $15 as part of a plan to improve the flow of traffic into the ballpark, according to a Los Angeles Times report. The Dodgers will continue offering $10 passes but only to fans who purchase them in advance.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.
Pelicans get new radio deal
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans reached a deal with Digity’s ESPN 1450 AM that will put all 140 Pelicans regular-season games and potential playoff games on the all-sports station. The Pelicans are a Class A affiliate of the Texas Rangers.
NEW YORK
MSG back on top as busiest arena
Madison Square Garden reclaimed its title as the busiest arena in the country, according to a New York Post report. Pollstar data shows that MSG sold 35 percent more tickets to concerts and family events than Barclays Center from the time MSG reopened in October through the end of the year.
PHILADELPHIA
Phillies marking 10 years at ballpark
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning a seasonlong celebration of Citizens Bank Park’s 10th birthday. Fans can vote online for their top moments at the ballpark. At every Saturday home game leading up to alumni weekend in August, the Phillies will pay tribute to those moments in a series of promotions that will include the return of former Phillies players.
PHOENIX
PIR book looks at 50 years of racing
As part of Phoenix International Raceway’s 50th anniversary, the track has released a limited-edition, commemorative book called “Phoenix At 50: A Half-Century of Racing.” The book will be available for purchase at PIR during this coming weekend’s NASCAR events at the track.
PITTSBURGH
Pirates jeweler gets official status
The Pittsburgh Pirates designated Casa D’oro Diamonds and Fine Jewelers as the official jeweler of the team, furthering a partnership that began last year. The new agreement features radio and print advertising elements as well as in-game promotions and logo rights.
SAN DIEGO
Port to bid on 2017 America’s Cup
The Port of San Diego voted unanimously to submit a bid by March 3 to host the 35th America’s Cup on San Diego Bay in August 2017, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune report.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Leidos to sponsor D.C. United
D.C. United is finalizing a deal with Leidos Inc., a government contracting firm, to replace Volkswagen as the team’s primary sponsor, according to a Washington Post report. Sources said the sides have been discussing a five-year agreement at a figure consistent with United’s pact with Volkswagen, which paid $2.8 million annually from 2008-12.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
HAMBURG, GERMANY
Freezers sign two new sponsors
German Hockey League club Hamburg Freezers signed new sponsorship deals with Bijou Brigitte and Fitness First. The partnership with jewelry company Bijou Brigitte will run through the 2015-16 season and includes naming rights for the club’s dance team. Fitness First signed a deal through the end of the current season.
LONDON
Fulham names Power8 club partner
Gaming technology provider Power8 has become an official club partner of Fulham F.C. The deal includes Power8 branding on LED perimeter ad boards surrounding the pitch at Craven Cottage.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
Oliana gets more Victory games
Oliana Foods will serve as the front-of-shirt sponsor for A-League club Melbourne Victory’s forthcoming AFC Asian Champions League campaign, according to a SoccerEx report. The Victoria-based food company has sponsored the Victory’s away shirts since the beginning of the 2012-13 season.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
Sports group partners with Dentsu
The Football Federation of Cambodia signed a formal partnership agreement with Dentsu Sports Asia. Dentsu is changed with the procurement and negotiation of sponsorship for this year’s Hun Sen Cup competition as well as to assist with the event’s marketing. This year’s final will be held at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on March 15.
RECIFE, BRAZIL
City will not pay for FIFA’s Fan Fest
The northeastern coastal city of Recife said it will no longer pay for FIFA’s Fan Fest, an outdoor screening venue for fans without tickets, at this year’s event, according to a Bloomberg report. Recife World Cup Secretary George Braga said the city can’t spare the $4.6 million, down from an initial estimate of $8.4 million, for the event.
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