BURLINGTON, MASS.
Bauer Hockey plans retail rollout
Bauer Hockey will open its first “retail experiences” beginning this summer. Bauer will open its first Own the Moment retail store in the Boston suburb of Burlington in late summer and its second location in the Minneapolis area in the fall. An additional six to eight retail outlets are planned over the next several years across the U.S. and Canada.
CHICAGO
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Quaker on solid footing with Fire extension.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Fire, Quaker extend partnership
The Chicago Fire and Quaker Oats extended their partnership, keeping Quaker on the front of the franchise’s jersey after their previous deal had expired, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report. Quaker and the Fire originally signed a three-year deal in 2012 that was reportedly worth about $8 million to the club.
Cubs to start season without bleachers
Renovation delays will prevent the Wrigley Field bleacher section from being ready for at least five weeks of the season and perhaps longer, according to a Chicago Tribune report. Crane Kenney, Cubs president of business operations, said that the left-field bleachers won’t open until May 11 at the earliest. Late May is the target for the right-field bleachers.
HOUSTON
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The Texans’ most expensive seat is $155, up from $145. The least expensive: $45.
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Texans raising ticket prices
The Houston Texans are increasing ticket prices, raising the average general ticket price for a game next season to $91.87, according to a Houston Chronicle report. That is an increase of 7.5 percent from $85.44 for the past two seasons. The Texans have sold out every game at NRG Stadium — 132 in a row — since their inaugural season in 2002.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF.
USA Water Polo, S&R extend deal
S&R Sport, a longtime partner of Huntington Beach-based USA Water Polo, agreed to extend its relationship as the national governing body’s official aquatic retailer through 2017. S&R Sport will continue to serve as the sponsor of monthly awards honoring USA Water Polo member athletes and clubs.
LAWRENCEVILLE, GA.
PSC to manage Coolray Field food
The Gwinnett Braves reached a partnership with Professional Sports Catering. PSC, powered by Levy Restaurants, will manage all aspects of the food operation at Coolray Field, including concessions, catering and staffing for every event at the ballpark. The Braves are the Class AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
Stadium won’t have fritted glass
The new Minnesota Vikings stadium won’t get the special fritted glass sought by bird advocates because delaying the project would cost too much, according to multiple reports. The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority is working with 3M on a product to apply to the glass that it says will steer birds away.
NEW YORK
Cosmos sign food service partners
The New York Cosmos partnered with Buffalo Wild Wings and Corner Bakery Cafe. Buffalo Wild Wings will become the team’s official restaurant partner, and Corner Bakery Cafe becomes the team’s official exclusive caterer.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.
PGA National plans renovation
PGA National Resort & Spa, home of the PGA Tour Honda Classic, will undergo a multimillion-dollar renovation that will include upgrades to its spa, dining and health, and fitness offerings, according to a South Florida Sun-Sentinel report. The upgrades are slated to be completed later this year.
PENSACOLA, FLA.
Watson buys into Wahoos
Golfer Bubba Watson bought ownership in the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. The team will begin selling co-branded merchandise, a Bubba Dub Grilled Cheese, and the restaurant and bar behind home plate will be renamed Bubba’s Sand Trap. Watson was born in Pensacola and raised in nearby Bagdad, Fla. The Wahoos are the Class AA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
PEORIA, ILL.
Bradley names program for Steiner
Bradley University is naming its sports communications program in honor of four-time Emmy Award winner, National Radio Hall of Fame inductee and Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Charley Steiner. The Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication becomes the first named sports communication school in the nation. Steiner is a 1971 graduate of Bradley.
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Raceway site features a cleaner overall look.
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PHOENIX
PIR debuts website redesign
Phoenix International Raceway launched a new design for its website, PhoenixRaceway.com, to kick off the 2015 season. Featuring a data-driven user experience, the new site includes a streamlined navigation and enhanced fan content. A Spanish language “PIR en Español” section will soon be added.
Airlines promote Super Bowl travel
Airlines are activating around Super Bowl XLIX. Alaska Airlines is offering Mileage Plan members a sweepstakes tied to Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s endorsement. Southwest Airlines is adding more nonstop flights and connections between Seattle and Phoenix, as well as Boston and Phoenix, from Thursday to Feb. 2.
Suns, Mercury sign Iasis
The Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury and Iasis Healthcare reached an exclusive multiyear partnership that will bring a new clinic to downtown Phoenix and designate Iasis Healthcare as the official health care partner of the teams. The new agreement includes the revitalization of what was formerly the Phoenix Suns Athletic Club.
NFL, Verizon hold e-waste rally
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, NFL and Verizon last week held a Super Bowl “E-Waste” Recycling Rally in Phoenix, where consumers could safely recycle electronic devices. This is the second year the NFL and Verizon have partnered with a Super Bowl Host Committee on such an effort.
PITTSBURGH
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Penguins radio play-by-play announcer Mike Lange and color analyst Phil Bourque spend time with one of the Junior Reporters.
Photo by: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
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Pens welcome Junior Reporters
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Trib Total Media teamed up for the Trib Total Media Junior Reporter program. Each month, a Penguins fan age 7-12 is selected to be the team’s Junior Reporter after an essay submission by his or her parent or guardian. Reporters receive four tickets to a home game, a tour of the arena’s media level, a meet-and-greet with team beat writer Josh Yohe and the opportunity to be published in Faceoff Magazine.
Penguins sign Giant Eagle
The Penguins entered into a one-year agreement with Giant Eagle Pharmacy to be the official pharmacy of the team. The partnership also includes in-arena LED signage, print, radio, website banner ads, mobile app banner ads, a weekly PensTV video feature, PensPoints, hospitality and logo rights.
TORONTO
Jays go digital for season tickets
The Toronto Blue Jays for the first time this year will not send paper tickets to season-ticket holders, according to a Toronto Star report. Ticket holders instead will receive an ID card that will not only serve as their ticket but can also be used to buy merchandise and concessions.
COAST TO COAST — BEYOND THE COASTS
BATH, ENGLAND
Bath Rugby signs agency deal
Premiership rugby side Bath Rugby and agency Two Circles joined forces in a three-year partnership. Two Circles will be helping Bath to improve customer engagement.
HAMBURG, GERMANY
Agencies unite for 2024 bid
Twelve Hamburg-based agencies are supporting the city’s bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, according to a Horizont report. The agencies will develop a campaign for the initiative “Feuer und Flamme” (“Fire and Flame”), which was created by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce for the Olympic bid.
Towers partner with beer brand
German second division basketball club Hamburg Towers agreed to a new partnership with beer brand König Pilsener. The three-year deal includes distribution rights at home games along with logo presence on the team’s warm-up shirts and on LED boards. The deal was brokered by UFA Sports.
LEEDS, ENGLAND
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CELLINO
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Leeds owner’s appeal rejected
League Championship side Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino’s appeal against a ruling disqualifying him from owning the club was rejected, according to a Reuters report. The league originally banned 58-year-old Cellino in December for failing its fit-and-proper-person test for running a club after he was found guilty of tax evasion in an Italian court last year.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Liverpool fans upset with StubHub prices
Tickets for next month’s Merseyside derby are being sold for more than $3,000 each through team partner StubHub, provoking outrage from supporters, according to a (London) Telegraph report. One seller is asking $7,100 for a pair of tickets — one of them a junior ticket — for the game between Everton and Liverpool at Everton’s Goodison Park.
LONDON
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Arsenal member ticket prices range from $20-$145.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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Arsenal holds ticket prices steady
Arsenal will not increase ticket prices next season. This will be the sixth season since the move to Emirates Stadium 10 seasons ago that prices have held steady. The club will continue offering a range of discounted tickets for young fans and for the Capital One Cup.
Triathlon signs real estate firm
Real estate company JLL is partnering with the Vitality World Triathlon London for this year’s International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series in May at the 2012 London Games venue in Hyde Park.
MANCHESTER
Man U signs KamaGames
Manchester United reached a multiyear global partnership for KamaGames to become the Premier League club’s official social casino. KamaGames will launch several social casino games that will carry Man U branding.
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA
Winter Games staying put
An official from the International Olympic Committee said that the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang will not be split with another city, putting an end to speculation that the South Korean host would be asked to co-host the event in a cost-saving step, according to a Yonhap report.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Olympic road race course finalized
The International Cycling Union confirmed that the men’s and women’s Rio 2016 Olympic road race course has been adapted and will now start and finish at Copacabana beach.
TOKYO
2020 Gold Partner price: $127M
Any Japanese company eager to become one of the top sponsors of the 2020 Olympic Games will have to pay at least $127.5 million for the honor, according to a Kyodo report. The period for the Gold Partner sponsorship will extend to the end of 2020.
For more international news, visit www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/global.
