Feature: US Sports Biz - July 2006  

S&T's US correspondent Mark J Jeffers, takes another look at the wild and wacky world of the movers and shakers in sports across the other side of the pond...

Well, apparently MasterCard forgot the old saying “Remember the Alamo,” as the company has ended its title sponsorship with the college football post season game.
With another poor showing on the international tennis stage of Wimbledon, John McEnroe in conjunction with the United State Tennis Association is in discussions to establish a Tennis Academy.  The obvious question pops up…will this academy teach young players the game of tennis or the skill of throwing tantrums on the court???
Spalding is rolling out a new basketball for the NBA made of microfibre instead of leather.  As a NY Knick fan, if the ball can find its way into the basket more times than the opponent’s, I’ll be happy. Things are so bad with the Knicks that there is even a website calling for the sale of the franchise - selltheknicks.com is now open for business.
I really don’t make this stuff up, but here’s one for the books. Someone has founded an online dating service for baseball’s Boston Red Sox fans called MatchingSox.com.  I don’t know about you, but at my house matching socks is next to impossible.  
Pepsi has signed a new multi-year partnership with the National Hockey League.  We’re thinking the commercials may be more popular than the game.
Turner Sports New Media has extended its deal with NASCAR under which the broadcaster will continue to ‘drive’ NASCAR.com.
Speaking of websites, here is a new one www.golfbuzz.com. I love the name, as it incorporates two things I enjoy, a good game of golf and a buzz…and considering how bad a golfer I am, having a buzz on may not hurt my game!
Wheaties has issued a special-edition box honoring the NBA Champion Miami Heat with center Shaquille O’Neal and guard Dwyane Wade featured. With the size of those guys, they will be on the front, back, side and bottom of each box.
According to PricewaterhouseCoopers’, US sports spending will rise 41% to over $61bn dollars by 2010,  just think how much a hot dog and beer will be by then.
CBS Sports and the Big East have extended their contract though the 2013 season.
Anheuser-Busch will continue to be the exclusive alcohol sponsor for the Super Bowl through 2012…thank goodness for some stability in my life!
BMW of North America has extended its ties to golf, by signing a six-year deal to create its own golf tournament set to start next year.  Just imagine what driving a BMW golf cart will be like!

That wraps it up for this edition of US Sports Biz, folks!

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