5 things you need to know about the sports business: WNBA adds new logo patch for jersey advertising and more

WNBA teams to sell additional jersey ad next season

Beginning next season, WNBA teams will be able to sell additional jersey advertising. The league is adding a new logo patch located on the upper left-hand shoulder of game jerseys. The space can be sold to a new company, different from the marquee sponsor featured in the center of the team’s game jersey. The decision to add space for another company was made in an effort to increase the league’s profitability and create new ways for brands to connect with WNBA fans and teams.

Notre Dame Stadium selected for Winter Classic

Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana has been selected as the site for the 2019 Winter Classic. The game will reportedly feature the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Boston Bruins for the annual outdoor game. It was formally announced at the Notre Dame vs Navy football game last November 18. The Blackhawks have played in the Winter Classic three times previously, and the Bruins have played in two.

Oklahoma Football joins Jordan Brand

Last Thursday, the University of Oklahoma announced that they became the third college football team to join the Jordan Brand, following the North Carolina Tarheels and Michigan Wolverines. The partnership will take effect at the start of the 2018-2019 season. The partnership will also extend to the Sooners men’s and women’s basketball teams. Jordan Brand Oklahoma apparel will begin to retail by the beginning of summer 2018.

Oklahoma Football followed the North Carolina Tarheels and Michigan Wolverines in joining the Jordan Brand. (Source)

Greg Olsen served as Fox guest analyst

While on injured reserve, Carolina Panthers Tight Greg Olsen had the opportunity to call a game as a guest analyst for Fox. Olsen worked alongside Kevin Burkhardt and Charles Davis for the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings last November 19. The only other players to ever work as an analyst for Fox while still playing are Matt Hasselbeck and Marcus Allen. The game fell during the Panthers’ bye week, and Olsen is eligible to return from injured reserve this weekend when the team takes on the New York Jets.

Jerry Jones hires lawyer to block Goodell extension

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has reportedly threatened to sue the National Football League and fellow team owners over the negotiations to extend commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract. Jones demanded that all owners must vote on the pay package that is part of Goodell’s pending contract extension. A letter drafted by Jones’ lawyer stated that the NFL’s fortunes have changed significantly since May when the owners voted to extend Goodell’s contract by five years. Jones has publicly stated that he wanted Goodell’s new contract to include less guaranteed money and more incentives tied to the league’s performance.

—

DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.