Sports Business Digest

Twitter’s next big thing: Applying for jobs on Twitter?

Emmett Jones — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:03 +0000

Twitter may have just revolutionized the way applicants apply for jobs, and more importantly, sports jobs . On Wednesday, Twitter announced their newest innovation: The Lead Generation Card. The purpose of the card is to provide an easy way for users to express an interest in a brand or product. Customers using Twitter are easily able to share their contact information (i.e. an email address) without ever leaving the expanded tweet. Confused? See the example provided by Twitter below: The sports business applications to Twitter's new feature could be limitless. Sports teams could utilize the lead generation cards to create a targeted list of potential, interested season ticket holders, or playoff ticket holders. Companies selling merchandise could send coupon codes or other discounts to customers that click on the lead generation link. Perhaps most interesting though, was the idea of applying for jobs via Twitter. The Next Web shows what very well may have been the first job posting that a candidate could apply for within Twitter itself. Want to apply for a job with your favorite sports team? Just wait for them to tweet about it, and apply. That could be the very near future. Especially if Twitter goes beyond capturing a user's name and email in their account settings, and allows users to connect documents (i.e. a resume) to their accounts. With Twitter's new feature, it just may be time for everyone to take a look at re-writing their Twitter profiles, as that may be the first thing an employer sees...after you've applied to their open position.

LA Sparks team with TWC for local television coverage

Emmett Jones — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:03:41 +0000

After 17 years in existence, the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks have found a local television home. Details of the team's deal with the Time Warner Cable SportsNet were released today, with the network agreeing to air 25 live games on both its TWC Sports Net channel and Time Warner Cable Deportes. The telecast season kicks off on May 26th, for the Sparks home opener against the Seattle Storm. TWC will also provide both pre- and post-game Sparks-branded shows and original programming including the "Backstage" series, featuring the Sparks.

“Having the Sparks air on Time Warner Cable SportsNet allows the Sparks a unique opportunity to bring not only the game, but also the stories and personalities to our fans,” said Sparks Executive Vice President and General Manager Penny Toler. “We know Sparks fans are ready for more, and our partnership with Time Warner Cable Sports gives them the access and coverage they deserve.”

The Sparks have remained one of the more popular teams in the league, leading the league in home attendance last year at a little over 10,000 fans a game, roughly 2,500 over the WNBA average. The deal with TWC to locally show every Sparks game also puts the Sparks in rare-air, according to the current WNBA schedule, no other WNBA team has a local television contract. TWC's coverage of the Sparks season begins this Sunday at 5:30 pm PT. (via Press Release)

Wozniacki to unveil new Adidas shoe at French Open

Emmett Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:39:40 +0000

Adidas brand endorser and current #10 ranked WTA player Caroline Wozniacki will be unveiling a new Adidas shoe for next week's French Open. The Adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Shoe follows the identically named apparel that was launched by Adidas earlier this spring. While Wozniacki will feature the shoe at the French Open, the official unveiling will occur at Wimbledon this June. Other Adidas by Stella McCartney tennis ambassadors (Laura Robson and Maria Kirilenko among others) will also wear the shoes throughout the tournament. The shoes will be available for $125 on the Adidas website and at specialty retailers beginning June 1st. Wozniacki, a long time Adidas ambassador, has been linked to the Adidas by Stella McCartney label since 2009.

Roc Nation Sports signs Geno Smith

Emmett Jones — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:42:01 +0000

Jay-Z is continuing to make waves in the sports representation industry. His fledgling representation company has already signed Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano away from Scott Boras, purchased a Mercedes Benz for former Notre Dame (now Tulsa Shock) point guard Skylar Diggins and he's now signed the newest quarterback in New York; the Jets Geno Smith. Smith who was drafted by the Jets in the second round of last month's NFL draft will have his contract negotiations handled by Kim Miale. Smith was already excited about his possibilities with Roc Nation, considering Jay-Z's ties to the city of New York,

Smith is excited about his new representation. “When you talk about being in New York from a standpoint of what they can do in the city, the connections that they have, I think it’s a good move,” Smith told the New York Daily News.

Jets coach Rex Ryan has already gone on record saying that Smith will compete for the Jets starting QB job amidst a crowded huddle, including incumbent QB, Mark Sanchez.

D.C. United launches “Brand the Brew” contest

Emmett Jones — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:47:36 +0000

The MLS' D.C. United have a new team-branded beer at the ready. They just need your help in giving it a name. The team has partnered with DC Brau -- a local craft beer company -- to create a limited edition beer and they've launched a "Brand the Brew" contest to give the brew a name. Participants in the contest will have until May 29th to submit their entries, with the winner receiving a prize pack including field level seats and a complete gameday experience. The winners of the contest will be chosen by a panel of D.C. United First Team players. To enter, go to the D.C. United website. A video explaining the contest can be found below,

Big Papi creates customized bats to support marathon victims

Emmett Jones — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:51:39 +0000

On April 15, the city of Boston was thrown into chaos after multiple bombs were exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Five days later, Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz spoke to fans before a Red Sox game and uttered the now famous words,

"This is our F-ing city."

Ortiz, who has lived in Boston for nearly a decade, has chosen to move beyond the rousing speeches and has teamed up with Marucci Sports to create a customized bat to raise money for the marathon bombing victims. The bat features Ortiz's famous saying, the Marucci logo, and the printed phrase "Boston Strong". The bat also features the date of the tragic event; 4.15.13. The bats can be purchased for $125 a piece or $375 more (a total of $500) will get you a bat that has been autographed by Ortiz himself. All proceeds will be donated to The One Fund. The bats are available for purchase on David Ortiz's website.

Celtics to offer paperless ticket solution for ’13-14

Emmett Jones — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:13:45 +0000

Beginning next season, being a Celtics season ticket holder becomes a little bit easier. The C's are going paperless for the 2013-2014 NBA season. Season ticket holders will receive their tickets on a pre-loaded Celtics Parquet Pass, which will be mailed to ticket holders prior to the beginning of the season. Instead of using a paper ticket, your Parquet Pass will be swiped at the turnstiles, you'll receive printed tickets, and you are ready for the game. The Celtics new digital ticketing measures also allow season ticket holders to manage their tickets online. If desired, the tickets can be pre-printed, donated, forwarded or posted for resale through the ticket holder's online account. The Celtics tested the Celtics Parquet Pass with a subset of their season ticket holder base this season, with positive results,

"Paperless ticketing is very convenient. I always have the card with me, so there's no need to manage the tickets and physically give them out. At first I was hesitant to use the Celtics Parquet Pass, but after trying it, it's been very helpful for me." - Deborah, Above the Rim STH

Of the team's 5,000 season ticket holders, they've all been offered the possibility of "going digital" next year, with more than 75% enrolling in the Parquet Pass program. Additional details on the Celtics Parquet Pass can be found on the Celtics website.

Storm Stoppers offers $30K endorsement deal to Tebow

Emmett Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:15:36 +0000

It has been days since a company last attempted to generate interest based off of former NY Jets quarterback, Tim Tebow. Fear not, the Storm Stoppers are here. Orlando-based Storm Stoppers, noted for being an alternative to plywood for hurricane window protection, has offered the polarizing quarterback a $30,000 dollar endorsement deal. Under the deal, Tebow would receive $20,000 for a six month stint with Storm Stoppers. Under the deal, Tebow would be required to make public appearances with the company at Hurricane expos for the 2013 hurricane season. The hurricane season begins June 1st...which would probably cut into Tebow's training camp time, were he to accept the offer. Storm Stoppers would also make a special $10,000 donation of their products to the Tim Tebow foundation to protect the foundation's Jacksonville facilities.

“We see a very natural fit between Tim’s efforts to reinforce children and families through his foundation and Storm Stoppers’ efforts to protect the family home,” said Smith. “The NFL and others might not see his true value right now, but it’s not lost on Storm Stoppers.”

Tebow had a 2012 base salary of $1.1 million dollars. Storm Stoppers have not yet received a response from the Tebow camp. (via Press Release)

Adrian Peterson become equity owner at Hyperice

Emmett Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 00:50:36 +0000

Hyperice, the California-based portable ice compression device company now has a new partial owner. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has joined Hyperice as an equity partner, adding to an impressive athlete roster including Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin and U.S. Women's goalie, Hope Solo.

"Adrian has always showed amazing dedication to preparing his body to perform at the highest level," said Hyperice founder Anthony Katz. "That commitment is what enabled him to come back from his injury as quickly as he did and have one of the greatest seasons in NFL history." Katz continued, "As a recovery brand, we are dedicated to developing technologies that help keep athletes on the field and performing their best, so there was a mutual interest on both sides once Adrian started using our products during his MVP season."

Peterson, who began using the product as part of his recovery routine during the 2012 season, was only nine yards away from breaking the single season rushing record last season. He believes that recovering with Hyperice allowed him to perform at such a high level, only months after a devastating ACL and MCL injury,

“Once I started using the Hyperice, I could feel my knee responding positively. I immediately started incorporating it into my daily recovery routine,“ said Peterson. “Preparing my body to be as strong and as healthy as possible was my main focus going into last season and Hyperice was one of the tools I used to prepare for and recover from games and practices.” He went on, “I’m excited to join Blake and the other athletes to help grow the brand."

For more information on the Hyperice brand, you can follow them on Twitter @hypericeusa. (via Press Release)

EA Sports, FIFA extend licensing agreement to 2022

Emmett Jones — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:49:25 +0000

Twenty years after their first FIFA-branded soccer game, EA Sports is simply continuing to go with what works. The digital entertainment giant has extended their exclusive licensing agreement with FIFA until the year 2022.

“EA SPORTS released the first FIFA-branded soccer game in 1993, and 20 years later our partnership with FIFA continues to be very strong,” said Andrew Wilson, Executive Vice President and Head of EA SPORTS. “Our franchise has become the benchmark for quality and innovation in the sports videogame genre, and we look forward to many more years of connecting with consumers around the world with our games carrying the prestigious FIFA name.”

Under the deal, EA Sports will maintain the exclusive right to release FIFA-branded action and management video games. EA also will retain the exclusive right to release the official FIFA World Cup video game, and will retain its status as a presenting partner of the FIFA Interactive World Cup.

“Our relationship with EA SPORTS is of high importance to FIFA,” said Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General. “The FIFA videogames are a key experiential component in our work to communicate the FIFA brand and its values all over the world. This is highlighted by the 2.5 million football fans that have competed in this year’s FIFA Interactive World Cup, which is just one example of the power of our partnership with EA.”

Twenty years after the first iteration, EA's FIFA series continues to sell well, with FIFA '13 selling over 14.5 million copies world-wide since being released last September. (photo: Business Wire) (via Press Release)