Busch drops out of race for NASCAR sponsorship - St. Louis Business Journal:

Busch drops out of race for NASCAR sponsorship - St. Louis Business Journal:: "Busch's long-running title sponsorship of NASCAR's No. 2 series will come to an end after the 2007 season, officials from Anheuser-Busch and NASCAR confirmed, and the price is going up.

With ESPN taking over as the sole broadcaster of Busch Series races in 2007 and NASCAR attempting to raise the profile of the series, industry sources estimate that the asking price on the deal could push $30 million a year, about three times what Busch was paying."

AP Wire | 12/02/2006 | Being mascot for professional sports team isn't all fun and games

You know, I think this would be the perfect job for me. If I were only younger. And stronger. And more athletic. And more creative. Oh well. Teaching isn't that bad.

Check out what it means to be a real mascot . .. maybe more than you expected.

AP Wire 12/02/2006 Being mascot for professional sports team isn't all fun and games:

"At 27, he's the Tampa Bay Lightning's newest rookie. To prepare himself for his debut this National Hockey League season, Matt Hitchcock honed his craft at two colleges in Florida and even paid his dues in the minor leagues.

So every time Hitchcock dons the Lightning's ThunderBug mascot costume, the University of South Florida senior is thankful he has a new full-time gig with a major league sports team.

Here's why: The competition to become a full-time professional sports mascot is as intense as ever, as these 'performers,' as they prefer to be called, boast resumes showcasing communications, marketing, sales, promotions and even gymnastics and theater skills. Gone are the days when a pro team would enlist the office clown as its mascot."

What Soccer Team Should I Sponsor

Looking to sponsor a soccer team? Find out where to invest your dollars. Or pounds. Or . . .

Bloomberg.com: U.K.:

"Nov. 28 (Bloomberg) -- European champion Barcelona is the most attractive soccer team for corporate sponsorship, according to a survey by sports marketing company Global Sponsors.

Barcelona, which beat Arsenal 2-1 in May's final of Europe's elite Champions League, tops England's Manchester United and Spanish rival Real Madrid in the survey, the London- based company said in an e-mailed press release.

``Barcelona have built a capable corporate communication platform in a relatively short space of time,'' Global Sponsors' commercial director Michael Stirling said in the statement. ``The club have developed innovative ways of reaching a global audience.'' "

Broncos QB Switch Means Changes In Marketing

cbs4denver.com - Broncos QB Switch Means Changes In Marketing:

Should we just start changing QB's just to make the marketing departmenet happy!

"(CBS4) DENVER The Denver Broncos have a new quarterback in Jay Cutler which will bring a new look on the field, but that won't be the only place where changes will be seen.

Sports marketers know that a change in star players will bring a different look off the field, too, which leads CBS4 to ask the 'Good Question' ... what's the marketing impact of a quarterback change?

'We're talking substantial dollars,' said Don Hinchey of The Bonham Group, a sports marketer. 'In terms of endorsement potential, in terms of television ratings, in terms of ticket renewals, suite sales, merchandise sales.'"