"Cycling Sponsor Gets Warm and Fuzzy"

From Roadcycling.com


Review by Justin Thorpe in KIN 435 (section 2)

We all know that doping, which is known as the administration of drugs to enhance or inhibit sporting performances, is frowned upon in almost every sport. Cycling is one of the many sports in which doping is considered illegal for individuals to do. In the article, “Cycling Sponsor gets Warm and Fuzzy”, it talks about a cyclist named Contador who has been involved in doping scandals and has failed drug tests relating to using performance enhancing drugs. Although, Contador has been found guilty for using performance enhancing drugs his sponsors, Saxo Bank, has remained loyal to him and continue to sponsor him during his difficulties. Most sponsors are known to revoke their sponsorships from individuals who are involved in doping scandals or have failed drug tests relating to the issue, such as T-Mobile and Milram. T-Mobile and Milram pulled their sponsorship away from Floyd Landis Phonak immediately after he was involved in a doping scandal. Saxo Bank continued to sponsor Contador because they state that they “support their clients in their moments of success and also of difficulty, and this is equally valid for our riders”. Although Saxo Bank stated that they basically stay with their clients through the good and bad of their sport careers, it is believed that Saxo Bank continued to stay with Contador because of the money that he has and can bring to them. Everyone knows that the economy right now is not at its best and therefore I understand why Saxo Bank would continue to stay with Contador. He is a great cyclist who has won many cycling tours, such as recently having two stage wins in the Tour of San Luis in Argentina. Although the punishment of being involved in a doping scandal, in Germany, is a two year ban, I feel that Saxo Bank is smart by staying with Contador because they know that once Contador ban is completed he will be back cycling in full force and would be capable of winning tours and money to give to his sponsorship.

8th Annual Charlotte Bobcats Career Fair

The Charlotte Bobcats career fair will be held on Friday, March 30 from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm at Time Warner Cable Arena. There is a $23 registration fee that accompanies this event as they work to bring some of the best companies in the region to their career fair. This event is beneficial for employers, potential employees, or internship seekers. The registration fee helps us ensure a high quality event for everyone and gives an opportunity for everyone to see firsthand the inner workings of the sports and entertainment industry. 

Not only does the registration grant access to the career fair, but it includes a ticket to that evening’s game against the Denver Nuggets at 7:00 pm. This will give the participants interested in the sports industry an opportunity to see how an arena is transformed and how many different avenues there are to work in our industry.

There are three ways to register;

· Fill out the flyer in its entirety out and then email, fax, or mail in to Time Warner Cable Arena
· Call and register over the phone directly with a Bobcats Account Executive
· Register online and enter the Special Offer Code: CAREER

The Bobcats will also be updating www.bobcats.com/careerfair, with the latest vendors that will be present and current information on the career fair itself.

"More Fans Can Look Forward to Affordability in 2012"

Article from Athletic Business

Review by Michael Prince in KIN 435 (section 2)

The article talked about how teams have been struggling to fill their stadiums. With the economy not being the best, teams have to find new ways to put people in the seats. The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off playoff appearances in two out of three years and still are having problems with attendance. Cincinnati will reduce prices for more than 14,500 seats in this upcoming 2012 season. They are pushing their youth movement to the fans telling them that they have a lot of talent and are looking to have a big turn out this season.

Not only are teams in the NFL having problems filling their seats but leagues such as the MLB, NBA and college level are rethinking their marketing strategies. Teams are beginning to reduce prices on certain seating to bring in more fans and money. I think this could work out well for the teams that do this. It only seems that the big name teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, and the Patriots are consistently selling out each game. So the teams with the smaller market or the team is just not as good have to find something that can help bring in revenue. Normally you don’t see teams lowering ticket prices, but instead increasing them. In this case, teams are doing the opposite which goes against any basic marketing principle.

Time will only tell if this new marketing style will pay off. Marketers will have to do a good job of letting the public know of the price reductions through social media, television, flyers, etc. I think if the public knows that this is the new trend in sports they will be more prone to going to games. I know personally I will be going to more Orioles/Nationals games if they do some sort of price reduction on their seats. This article is just the start of more to come for other teams. I think as teams see how well reducing prices does for teams, you will start to see more and more teams begin to reduce prices. Overall, I believe that this will be beneficial for both the organizations and fans.