Sports, Business and Society

Looks like Dr. Pepper is jumping on the sports marketing bandwagon.  Like many companies before them, they have aligned themselves as the title sponsor for the 2005 ACC Football Championship Game.  It's a great way for them to reach their audience and get their name to stick in the minds of consumers.

Check out this article..

Dr Pepper, a leading brand in the beverage portfolio of Plano, Texas-based Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), announced today the expansion of its long-standing relationship with college football. A key element of this expansion includes an agreement with ABC Sports and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to be the title sponsor of the ACC's first ever college football championship game, which will be aired on ABC on December 3, 2005.

"Through Dr Pepper's title sponsorship of BIG 12, SEC and now ACC football, we are helping to fuel excitement and passion for the sport throughout the season, culminating with the crowning of three power conference champions," said Andrew Springate, vice president of Dr Pepper marketing. "We are thrilled to bring ACC football fans, and frankly college football fans all across America, what is truly a mega conference championship," added Springate.

In addition to being the title sponsor of the three championship games, Dr Pepper will support this major initiative by involving fans in college football activities throughout the year. Highlights of the sponsorship will involve media within the conferences' regular season games across the ESPN and ABC Sports family of networks as well as national consumer promotion sweepstakes including a chance to win $1 million during a half-time, on-field event at the championship events. Localized promotions are an integral component to Dr Pepper's strategy of connecting at a grassroots level with college football fans, especially around key rivalry match-ups. More details will be announced this summer.

"We are very pleased to have Dr Pepper as the title sponsor of our new ACC Championship football game," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "Dr Pepper is known for bringing college football to life by creating engaging and memorable experiences for fans. We are confident that this is the beginning of a great new tradition in ACC football and the annual hallmark of what will be one of the most anticipated and meaningful games of the year."

The agreement will make Dr Pepper the title sponsor of the newly established ACC championship for the next five years.

Ed Erhardt, president, ESPN ABC Sports Marketing and Sales added, "This is an exciting new joint venture that is an authentic fit with our full portfolio, and we welcome a long relationship with Dr Pepper on college football, as it signifies the importance of ESPN and ABC Sports big event programming

Congratualtions to Lesa France Kennedy!  Seeing a woman succeed in sports business only helps to banish the myth that sports business is only for men.

International Speedway Corporation announced that its President, Lesa France Kennedy, had been named "The Most Influential Woman in Sports Business" by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal.

In its most recent edition published April 25, the publication "selected women who are actively applying their influence on a daily basis, none more so than the executive atop our ranking, Lesa France Kennedy of International Speedway Corp."

The article continues: "She will continue to take stock car racing into new markets, greatly influence the consumer experience at race tracks and broaden the footprint of a sport that has become decidedly mainstream."

Leveraging more than 20 years of industry experience, France Kennedy has been instrumental in growing ISC into a leader in sports entertainment. In addition to acquiring key facilities and executing strategic internal growth initiatives, France Kennedy was the driving force in bringing NASCAR racing to several high-profile markets including Chicago and Kansas City. France Kennedy and ISC are currently pursuing the development of facilities in the New York City borough of Staten Island and the Pacific Northwest.

Just how valuable are stadium naming rights?  Almost every stadium has a title sponsor, and those that don't are definitely missing out on a huge lump sum of cash. 

In recent news, the Tempe-based information technology systems provider Insight Enterprises has signed on as the first founding partner for the Arizona Cardinals' new $355 million multipurpose stadium, scheduled to open next summer.

I wonder if the LA Coliseum or the Rose Bowl (who could really use the money) will ever give in to these major corporations?  Since they are both national monuments it's very doubtful, but you never know.  Money can be a very powerful thing.

It looks like the X Games will be staying in Los Angeles.  I wonder if this is a smart move.  Yes, it offeres consistency, but doesn't it alienate X-treme sports fans who live in other areas throughout the country?

" ESPN is expected to announce today a contract extension with Anschutz Entertainment Group that will keep the network's popular Summer X Games in Los Angeles through 2009, with Staples Center and the Home Depot Center as primary venues."

"It had previously been announced that the Summer X Games, which were in L.A. in 2003 and 2004, would return for a third year. They will be held Aug. 4-7. The extension confirms speculation that ESPN had been seeking a long-term deal for its showcase of skateboarding, bicycle motocross, freestyle motocross, surfing, wakeboarding and in-line skating."

Click here for the rest of the article

 

The race for the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games is on with Paris and New York looking to capture the prize.  I would be shocked id New York got the bid.  They just seem far less organized than Paris. 

When I was in Paris last month, I couldn't go anywhere without seeing visibile support for the bid - subways, restaurants, stores and even the Eiffel Tower.  Still, it looks like NY still thinks they have a chance.  The article below outlines their plan for an aggresive marketing plan.

By STEPHEN WILSON

Associated Press

BERLIN - Sweetening its bid with financial and promotional incentives, New York promised Sunday to market every Olympic sport - for free - in the seven years leading up to the 2012 Summer Games.

With 80 days to go before the July 6 vote to select the host city of the games, London also appealed directly to the sports federations, offering special hotel rates, price discounts, television exposure and other inducements. Paris, Madrid and Moscow made less direct pitches as the five cities vying for the 2012 Games presented their bids to the 28 international federations involved in the Summer Olympics.

With more than two dozen International Olympic Committee members in attendance, the meeting offered the last major showcase for the bid cities before the session in Singapore at which the host city will be selected.

New York and London were the only cities to announce major new initiatives, targeting their plans specifically to the federation officials who run the Olympic sports and appealing to their budgets. Most federation chiefs are also IOC members eligible to vote in Singapore.

New York made the most concrete proposal, unveiling plans for a Sports Development Partnership to promote Olympic sports in the United States - where many get little, if any, exposure outside the games. Many federations, especially the small ones, rely on Olympic revenues to survive.

A sports marketing council, chaired by NBA commissioner David Stern, would offer free marketing, advertising and other assistance to help the sports raise their profile in America. The council would arrange the hosting of national and international championships in the United States. Federations would get free office space, with computers, phones and staff.

"Everybody talks about leaving a legacy, especiallly for sport," bid leader Dan Doctoroff said. "Let's be honest. Simply hosting the games is not enough. We are ready to start working with you right away to build your sports for seven years and create a real sports legacy."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the federations would benefit from the city's stature as a media, financial and marketing capital.

"There is no better city to build a brand than New York," he said. "We all know bid cities make a lot of promises. We make one promise: We deliver."

Bloomberg also appealed to sentiment, alluding to New York's rebuilding efforts since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"This is the perfect moment for the city to embrace sports," he said. "Four years ago our city was shaken, but New Yorkers today are more determined than ever. We know nothing can help us achieve this more powerfully than sport."

Jim Easton, an American president of the archery federation and an IOC vice president, said the New York proposal to the federations would impress Olympic officials.

"It's a great idea to be able to promote the sports seven years in advance - that's a real legacy," Easton said. "I think the New York (presentation) had a big impact. That was different from what they've heard in the past. For this group, that will resonate with them."

London, meanwhile, offered several initiatives of its own to the federations:

_ BBC television will promote Olympic sports and cover their world championships and test events in the lead-up to the games.

_ A technical delegate from each federation will be given free accommodation and living expenses to stay in London for up to a year to oversee preparations for the games.

_ Legally binding agreements have been reached with London hotels for 40,000 rooms based on guaranteed rates; federation officials won't be bound by any minimum-stay requirements.

_ All federation delegates will get a discount card offering reductions of between 20 and 50 percent at certain restaurants, shops and theaters.

"We want to help grow all Olympic sport in the U.K.," bid chairman Sebastian Coe said. "Every Olympic sport will be promoted, taking the Olympic experience to a new generation of young people."

London also announced confirmation that a new field hockey venue would be built in the proposed Olympic park, regardless of whether the city gets the games. Mayor Ken Livingstone said only two permanent venues are left to be built.

Paris, which has been considered the front-runner from the outset and remains the bookmakers' favorite, didn't break any new ground and played to its strengths.

Paris brought the highest-ranking official of the five cities, Sports Minister Jean-Francois Lamour. He underlined the French government's full backing for the games, including the promise of financial guarantees and security arrangements.

Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe went out of his way to speak in English, stressing the French capital's experience in hosting major sports events.

"We can guarantee the successful organization of the Olympic Games in security under the central command of the French state," he said.

Madrid gave a low-key presentation featuring Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., son of the former IOC president. The Spanish capital is the only one of the European bidders which hasn't hosted the games; Barcelona staged the 1992 Olympics.

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov promised that all facilities would be completed two years before the games. Sixty-five percent of the venues already exist from the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Lance Armstrong is retiring after this year's Tour de France, ending a cycling career in which he inspired millions by overcoming testicular cancer to win his sport's signature event a record six straight times.

Armstrong said he remains "fully committed" to winning his seventh straight Tour de France this year and is driven "by that dream to go out on top. That's a big deal to me."

"It will be the last one, win or lose," the 33-year-old Texan said at a news conference Monday.

The Tour de France ends on July 24.

Armstrong said he began thinking about retirement after his victory last year. Spending a month away from his children recently helped to seal the decision.

"That was much more difficult that it had been before," he said. "They are at a stage now where they change daily, if not hourly. ... It's time for me to not miss key moments in their lives."

Speculation regarding Armstrong's future had grown in recent months, fueled by the rider's comments that he wanted to spend more time with his three children and step up his efforts in raising awareness and funds for fighting cancer.

"Ultimately, athletes have to retire ... the body doesn't just keep going and going," Armstrong said.

But, Armstrong acknowledged, their competitiveness often does.

He said that while watching a recent cycling race on TV with his girlfriend, musician Sheryl Crow, he was so stirred by the competition, "I couldn't sit down the entire race."

Crow then challenged him on his retirement decision.

"She said 'Look at you. You can't even sit down. How are you going to retire?"' Armstrong said. "It's a great question. I have to tell you I am 100 percent committed and the decision is final."

Still, come next year, Armstrong knows he'll probably want to climb back onto the bike.

I'll definitely have the itch now and again," he said.

Monday's announcement came on the eve of Armstrong's defense of his Tour of Georgia championship. The six-day, 648-mile event he uses as a training tool for the Tour de France begins Tuesday in Augusta.

Armstrong said the Georgia race could be his last professional competition in America, though he left open the possibility of racing in May at another practice event before the Tour de France.

"If there's a good local race, I'm more than happy to jump in," he said.

Even before the news conference, Tour of Georgia officials already had been promoting their race as the potential American farewell for Armstrong.

"While we certainly wish he'd never stop racing, as he has done so much for the sport of cycling and American cycling, we're thrilled and honored that he has chosen the Tour de Georgia as what could be his last professional race here on American soil," said Stan Holm, executive director of the race.

"Lance is a true hero and inspiration to people all over the world."

Tour of Georgia officials have received more than 500 media credential applications this year, almost twice last year's total. As evidence of Armstrong's widespread celebrity, the announcement attracted TV crews representing such diverse interests as MSNBC, CNN, Outdoor Life Network, Access Hollywood and ESPN.

"This is probably the second-biggest media event in Augusta in recent weeks," Armstrong said, referring to the Masters golf tournament, as he greeted reporters.

Armstrong said he decided to make the announcement now, instead of closer to July, so he could "be upfront and honest with the media, the people, the fans, not just here in America and in Europe."

Added Armstrong: "It just seems to me it would be better to announce that and get it out there and let everybody know."

Armstrong said he would remain involved with the Discovery Channel racing team. His new two-year contract to race for the Discovery Channel team requires he race just one more Tour de France. He says he'd like to win a seventh time.

"I was fortunate to win six times. Can I win again this year? I'm not sure, but I'm going to try," he said. "It's my ambition to win and also a little bit of my job to win."

Armstrong was attracted to the Tour of Georgia's support for the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the official beneficiary of the race. He has said previously if he retires he would amplify his high-profile role as a cancer survivor.

 

I found this article about the ongoing battle with steroids in sports.  I wonder if congress or sports leagues will ever have this horrendous situation resolved.  Hopefully, they'll figure things out sooner than later.

Steroids still a hot topic on Capitol Hill

It's a given that sex sells, and in sports the case is not any different.  Female athletes are constantly marketed not for their athletic prowress, but instead for their looks and physical attributes.

The classic case is Anna Kournikova, the tennis athlete who is remembered primarily for her looks and not her skills on the court.  Anna was a good tennis player but her popularity stemmed directly from her looks.  Maria Sharapova, who unlike Anna is actually good at tennis, is another tennis player who's looks are given lots of attention.

Last year at the WTA Championships, the Staples Center marketed the tournament with ads that focused on Sharapova's looks, not her tennis game...and she was only 17.  Where do marketers draw the line?

Other athletes like Amanda Beard and Jennie Finch were even featured in an ESPN poll...hottest female athlete.  Where is the hottest male athletes poll on ESPN?

Does paying attention to the sex appeal of these athletes undermine their athletic talent?  If you ask me, I would say that it depends on the situation.  Still, I know that I would never find risque picks of Derek Jeter in Cosmopolitan while Amanda Beard was almost naked on the cover of Stuff Magazine. 

I guess athletes try to capitalize on whatever angle they have, but I guess I would feel better if men actually were interested in these athletes for the right reasons.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't understand the fascination with ultimate fighting (UFC).  It's a sport where fans are almost all male and a little violent.  There is way too much testosterone to go around.  Personally, I do not enjoy watching a fighter get beaten to a pulp.

When looking at the business side, it's amazing to see how the popularity of UFC has grown over the past year.  In a brilliant markting move, UFC teamed with Spike TV for a realtiy Ultimate Fighting Champion show.  The show was received extremely well among its target audience and has helped to show fans what really goes into the sport.

I wonder if UFC would be as popular without the show.  It's still not mainstream but it's slowly making its way there.  At a recent fight at the MGM Grand, records were set for sales of merchandise on the day of a weigh-in.  The previous record held by a fight featuring Oscar de la Hoya was shattered by the UFC fans, who scooped of the shirts and programs like they were the last items left on earth.

I don't know what the future has in store for UFC, but I will not be surprised if it is able to reach the popularity level of boxing in the U.S.

 

 

Congratualtions to the five USC football players who were selected in the 2005 NFL draft.  Four of those players went in the first two rounds, Troy's most in the top two rounds since 1980.

Mike Williams was the 10th pick in the first rounde, going to the Detroit Lions (he might have gone higher is he had played for SC in 2o04). 

Mike Patterson also went in the first round, as the 31st pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fellow All-American defensive tackle Shaun Cody went in the second round, joining Williams with the Lions. All-American linebacker Lofa Tatupu also was a second rounder, going to the Seattle Seahawks.  Backup quarterback Matt Cassel was a seventh round pick by the New England Patriots.

USC has now produced 419 NFL draft picks, including 65 first rounders (more than any other school).  A statistic that will only help the recruiting power of a school like USC...