Sports Sponsorships

Walmart has long shunned outright sponsorship of a NASCAR team, while such other retailers as Target, Office Depot, Bass Pro Shops, Home Depot and Lowe’s have embraced the sport with much success. With most NASCAR fans already shopping its stores, Walmart has adopted for a more surgical approach, which is evident again this year as the company executes promotional events at stores in markets where races are being held.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing (TCGR) has partnered with the Kellogg Company to become a primary sponsor on the number 10 Indy car driven by Dario Franchitti, winner of last week’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and a three-time Izod IndyCar Series champ.

Franchitti will pilot the number 10 Kellogg’s Honda Dallara for TCGR in round four of the Izod IndyCar Series in Brazil at the Itaipava Sao Paulo Indy 300 presented by Nestle on May 1 and in round 14 at the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sept. 4.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Sears announced that it has launched the Sears Blue Tool Crew "Do It Together" program to honor unsung heroes who use their tools and talents for the greater good of the community. According to Sears DIT is the national expansion of the "Unsung Heroes: Dads Making a Difference" Father's Day initiative that recognized dads across the country in 2010.  

The Target brand was a big winner over the weekend, as Dario Franchitti piloted the number10 car of Target Chip Gansassi Racing to victory in the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. The race through the streets of downtown St. Petersburg, Fl, consisted of 100 laps over a 1.8 mile, 14 turn course, and the distinctive red and white Target car was featured extensively during television coverage. To watch highlights of the race, click here.

BOSTON -- Sports Authority has been named the official partner of Major League Lacrosse, the league announced. 

Under terms of the agreement, Sports Authority will become the exclusive national sporting goods retailer of the MLL.

COLUMBUS, Ohio  -- Victoria's Secret announced that it has expanded its partnership with Major League Baseball Properties to include 12 new teams for its line of co-branded (VS) PINK merchandise. The spring 2011 collection will feature the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, 2010 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Washington Nationals.

PITTSBURGH -- National Runner's Month is back this May at Dick's Sporting Goods. As part of its celebration of runners, the company announced that it will be a major sponsor at ten premiere running events in metro cities across the country. In addition, the month-long running celebration will be surrounded by a comprehensive marketing program that includes the announcement of three widely respected running ambassadors, a major charity initiative, social and digital media elements along with running specials and promotions throughout May.

From win-win to lose-lose. Do enough deals with different celebrities and sooner or later one of them is bound to blow up. That’s what happened to Target last week when entertainer/singer/gay rights advocate Lady Gaga had a change of heart regarding a prior commitment with Target.