The Quad City Mallards of the IHL are promoting what they say is another professional hockey first: a logo in the ice in the goal. Not in front of the goal. Not near the goal. Actually in the goal.

It’s a logo for Hardee’s in honor of the quick service restaurant’s “Biscuit in the Basket” promotion, which will award select fans with free biscuits for Mallards’ goals. Fans in a randomly selected row of seats will receive a coupon good for a biscuit for each goal scored by the Mallards at home games at the i Wireless Center in Moline, Ill., this season. Fans in the entire section get free biscuits, if the Mallards score at least four goals.

Hardee’s will also sponsor giveaway items at several games. Mallards players will be visiting select Hardees beginning this morning to promote the partnership.

The Mallards, you may recall, are the team that when I wrote about the Panthers’ new “locker room” seats, which allow fans to get autograph sessions and email cards from a Panthers player, pointed out they let fans into the actual locker room up to 30 minutes before game time. The Mallards’ home opener is Oct. 24.

> Discuss this entry

The Miami Dolphins are calling it “groundbreaking,” but grounds breaking seems more apt. The team and Café Bustelo have teamed up.

At a launch party announcing the new partnership at the Gansevoort Hotel on South Beach Thursday night, Café Bustelo was dubbed the “Official Espresso” of the team. The espresso coffee is now available at Dolphins home games in the club level at section 242 and the invitation-only Ocean Drive Club at Land Shark Stadium.

Today, the team and Cafe Bustelo, which is owned by Rowland Coffee Roasters (a Cuban family-owned South Florida company), are launching a contest on the Spanish channel of miamidolphins.com for a chance to win a cafecito break with team limited partners Gloria and Emilio Estefan during a home game this season, two tickets to the game, Dolphins merchandise and a year’s supply of Café Bustelo. Enter at MiamiDolphins.com through Nov. 6.

Next spring, the company will release Café Bustelo in Dolphins-branded coffee cans.

> Discuss this entry

Got a hankering for a New York bagel? Bet on the New York Giants and Jets.

The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co., in Delray Beach is offering customers free bagels on Mondays following a Giants or Jets win on Sunday, if customers can recite the score of either game. One bagel per customer, even if both teams win on Sunday.

“We have customers coming in all the time in their Jets and Giants apparel and we wanted to find a way to thank them for their patronage,” Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co., owner Steve Fassberg said in a statement. “We’d love to give away hundreds of bagels each week as a result.”

On Sunday, the Giants face the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jets play the New Orleans Saints. “Fuggetaboutpaying!” a release about the promotions says, if either team wins and you remember the score.

The store, which makes fresh bagels using “replicated Brooklyn water from patented technology,” is located at 14451 S. Military Trail, Delray Beach.

> Discuss this entry

The Miami Dolphins say a limited number of tickets are still available for Sunday’s 4:05 p.m. game against the Buffalo Bills at Land Shark Stadium.

The team’s new “Fins Value Pack,” which includes an upper level corner/endzone seat and vouchers for a free soda and a hot dog (valued at $58) for $45, is available for Sunday’s game. But the deal, sponsored by Pepsi and Ball Park, is also available for four other games: Oct. 12 against the New York Jets; Oct. 25 against the New Orleans Saints; Nov. 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Dec. 27 against the Houston Texans.

To buy these tickets – while they last – visit miamidolphins.com/finsvalue, which explains how to get the special offer.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins are also offering another specially-priced ticket for games in October, including Sunday’s, Oct. 12 and Oct. 25, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. That deal, thanks to Boar’s Head, is for an upper sideline seat that regularly costs $80 for $52. For every one of those tickets purchased, the Dolphins will donate $10 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To purchase tickets those tickets visit miamidolphins.com/support.

> Discuss this entry

After studying the issue and surveying fans, the Panthers are reducing season ticket prices on thousands of seats for the 2009-10 season and offering tickets in the upper bowl for as low as $7 a game and in the lower bowl for $35 a game.

The team had promised to freeze season ticket prices, but is instead reducing prices in 11 of 14 seating categories across BankAtlantic Center, marking what Panthers President Michael Yormark calls the “most aggressive price reduction we’ve had in the history of this franchise.”

Price reductions for full season ticket plans range from $2 to $17 a game. Among the reductions: Terrace level seats are dropping from $9 to $7 a game; Goal Zone from $17 to $12; Lexus Club from $60 to $55; Lower Bowl Sidelines from $77 to $65; and Premium Plaza Middle from $82 to $72. Half-season and mini-plan prices are also being reduced.

“The goal is to get fans to come to more games,” Yormark said. “We think we’ll also be able to attract the casual fan.”

The team sold close to 9,000 season tickets last season, Yormark said, meaning there’s still plenty of inventory. He says he wants fans who attend a couple of games a season to come to five or six; those that came to a half dozen games to purchase a mini-plan, for example.

The cheapest seats in the lower bowl are the Lower Bowl End Zone, which are dropping from $50 a game to $35. The seats in the shoot once end in sections 105 to 114 Rows 18 to 28, are being redesigned and renamed the “Panthers Locker Room.” Sections of the seats will be named after individual players. In keeping with the team’s effort to provide fans more value with their tickets, fans who buy tickets in those sections automatically become members of that player’s fan club, receiving benefits such as merchandise, birthday cards from the player, pre- or post-game autograph sessions and a learn-to-skate clinic.

“It’s a way to get fans a little closer to the product,” Yormark said.

The team has also renamed the first row and Panther Club rows 2-4, the Premier Lounge and is making it a new all-inclusive club with dining and lounge location. The first row stays at $207 a game, but the Panther Club drops from $132 a game to $115.

Fans who have already purchased season tickets have been informed of the reductions and will receive either refunds or other benefits such as BankAtlantic Center bucks good for concessions, Yormark said.

As part of their plan to market the price reductions, the Panthers have enlisted the help of NFL super agent Drew Rosenhaus. Rosenhaus is appearing in TV, print, and radio ads to promote the team. The ads break today:

> Discuss this entry

The Marlins have been giving away mortgage or rent payments or $2,500 each at Saturday games and offering free tickets to unemployed South Floridians on Mondays this season.

Continuing its "Economic Relief " programs, the team is offering out-of-work fans a chance to make money by selling ticket plans. Qualified registrants, who are at least 18 and will be paired with sales executives, can earn commissions of up to 10 percent and bonuses.

Register for the Marlins Community Sales Force through July 19 at marlins.com or at Land Shark Stadium. The program runs July 20 to Feb. 15, 2010. The team will consider hiring successful sellers full-time.

The Marlins are just a game out of first place in the NL East, but selling tickets to the team has never been easy. The team, which is averaging 18,117 tickets sold per game, currently ranks last in attendance among baseball’s 30 teams.

Given the state of the economy, is it more difficult to find a job or sell a Marlins season ticket plan?

> Discuss this entry

The Marlins are giving “Dan Uggla head” banks to the first 5,000 kids attending Sunday’s game versus the San Francisco Giants at Land Shark Stadium.

Not a full body piggybank or even a bust. It’s a five-inch polyresin bank that resembles the second baseman’s head – complete with blue eyes and eye black. (Check out Sun Sentinel photographer Robert Duyos' photo of Uggla with his bank).

Outfielder Cody Ross got to smash one with a baseball bat during a promotional spot for the giveaway. He needed change for a soda.

“We had fun with it. We only did three or four takes, [but] I only got to smash the piggybank head once,” Ross said. “I thought I did a pretty good job with it.”

> Discuss this entry

Those ubiquitous red baseball caps with snippets of the American flag included in each MLB team’s logo (the Canadian flag was in the Toronto Blue Jays’ red caps) weren’t just worn during Monday’s games in honor of Memorial Day or to sell even more merchandise.

The New Era caps are part of a fundraising campaign for Welcome Back Veterans, a program that helps veterans returning from war with employment and mental health issues. The organization, launched last year and funded in a partnership of MLB, MLB Advanced Media (the sport's interactive arm), and the McCormick Foundation, provides grants to organizations that help veterans.

The Stars & Stripes cap program started last year with blue caps players wore on July 4 and Sept. 11. This year, Memorial Day was added and the red caps will also be worn on July 4 and Sept. 11. Major League Baseball is donating 100 percent of the proceeds from its portion of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans. MLB.com is donating $1 from the sale of each cap purchased through mlb.com to the organization. The caps are selling for $36.99 apiece.

Three-quarters of the number of caps sold last year have already been sold this year, an MLB spokesman said. Counting last year's and this year's sales, MLB is on pace to donate $1 million to Welcome Back Veterans.

> Discuss this entry

Boca Raton-based Office Depot has launched this year’s version of its “Official Small Business of NASCAR” sweepstakes, in which a company with 99 employees or fewer can win its logo on the back of Tony Stewart’s Chevy Impala for a race.

The sweepstakes runs through May 31 and includes a chance to win the company’s logo on the rear panel of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy driven by Stewart during the Pep Boys Auto 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Atlanta on Sept. 6. Other items in the grand prize package include a $14,000 small business makeover by the office products supplier, the use of the “Official Small Business of NASCAR Courtesy of Office Depot” logo for a year, stationery and business cards.

In addition to Stewart’s participation, also new to the contest this year is a $1,400 Office Depot gift card, which is given to one winner every day of the sweepstakes.

“I know how challenging it is to build a successful business and how much hard work it takes,” Stewart said in a statement. “The Official Small Business of NASCAR Sweepstakes, Courtesy of Office Depot is a dream come true for a small business to get its name out there in front of millions of people.”

Stewart, who switched to the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy after last season, is a driver/team owner with Stewart-Haas Racing and is also owner of legendary Ohio short track, Eldora Speedway, and is part owner of two other tracks.

Businesses can enter in person at Office Depot locations or online daily during the sweepstakes. The public can also nominate businesses. For more information, visit officedepotracing.com.

> Discuss this entry

Tidbits:

+ The Heat dancers still own the NBA’s dance bracket competition, winning the title for the fourth time in the contest’s four-year history. The teams are judged by fans who vote online. Wonder if Pat Riley has plans to trademark something with the number four...

+ In Dunkin’ Donuts bracket contest, Florida Donut Champ is … Boston Kreme. But runner-up Coconut gave the favorite a good run. And apparently there’s also precedent for Boston Kreme… in 2000, in honor of Dunkin’s 50th Anniversary, Americans voted Boston Kreme their favorite doughnut.

+ Win the World Series and your mascot gets an ice cream flavor. Or so it is for the Phillie Phanatic. The popular mascot for the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies now has his own “Phillie Phanatic Double Play,” which is: “Bavarian cream-flavored light ice cream with caramel corn and caramel swirl” according to a release. It joins Turkey Hill Dairy’s official team flavor, Phillies Graham Slam. “Just like the Phanatic, this ice cream is a little unusual but it's something you can't help but love,” Turkey Hill President Quintin Frey said in a statement. The mascot flavor will be sold at Citizens Bank Park.

+ And from BankAtlantic Center, increasingly energetic Panthers President Michael Yormark has added blogging to his early morning duties. His “Sunrise Edition” blog is on the team’s Web site. Even after last night’s loss to the Philadelphia Flyers that hobbled the team’s playoff hopes, Yormark tries to push optimism, while he also touts a new sponsor, Fontainebleau Miami, and his personal trainer, whom he says he works out with most weekdays at 4 a.m. Sunrise edition, indeed.

> Discuss this entry

The Heat takes on the Charlotte Bobcats at 7 tonight, but the Heat dancers have already beaten the Charlotte Lady Cats in the NBA’s fourth annual NBA.com Dance Team Bracket Competition.

That means the three-time dance competition champion Heat dancers are in the championship round against the Houston Rockets Power Dancers.

Heat President Pat Riley allowed the dancers to use his trademarked “three-peat” term in their quest to win the dance competition last year. They wore “Three-peat” T-shirts and sent out email blasts reminding fans to vote for them. Riley trade-marked the term in 1988 when his L.A. Lakers were attempting to win their third straight NBA title. But the Detroit Pistons swept the Lakers in the 1989 Finals.

Fans can vote for the dance team they want crowned until 2 p.m. Monday online here.

Meanwhile, Dunkin’ Donuts’ bracket is down to its “Fabulous Four” today:

It’s No. 1 Glazed; No. 3 Boston Kreme; No. 5 Chocolate Glazed; and No. 10 Coconut (talk about an upset).

The Florida State Donut Champion will be crowned Tuesday. Doughnut fans can lobby franchisees to vote for their favorite via Facebook and Twitter.

> Discuss this entry

Even with layoffs and fewer people in offices these days, NCAA Tournament bracket pools are thriving and the tournament is still a big draw online.

According to Fort Lauderdale-based CBSSports.com, which first launched its March Madness on Demand streaming video online in 2003, traffic was up 60 percent from 2008 during the first four days of the tournament. The company, which made the product free and advertising-supported in 2006 and registration-free last year, 5.6 million unique visitors logged into the video player and users have watched and listened to 6.5 million hours of video and audio – a 71 percent increase from 2008.

Even the “boss button,” which allows office workers to quickly call up a spreadsheet so their bosses don’t know they’re watching the tournament, was clicked 2.5 million times during the tournament's first four days -- that's the same number that clicked the boss button during the entire tournament last year.

The product, which now includes an HD version of the video player, is available across a variety of other Web sites, including YouTube, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, MySpace and Facebook. And advertisers continue to support it in large numbers. Ad revenues in 2006 were about $4 million and rose to $23 million in 2008. CBSSport.com expects those figures to rise more than 30 percent this year.

Meanwhile, bracket fun continues. Dunkin’ Donuts announced its ExtraOrdinary Eight donuts this week:

(1) Glazed vs. (9) Jelly
(2) Old Fashioned vs. (10) Coconut
(3) Boston Kreme vs. (11) Blueberry
(13) Strawberry Frosted vs. (5) Chocolate Glazed – Can “The Straw” stir C-Glaze’s drink?

Want to follow the Facebook discussion on this? Find it here.

Those of you who know me well, know I have a giant sweet tooth, but doughnuts just aren’t my thing. However, I’m still stunned that Jelly beat Powdered in the first round. Anyone else with me on this?

And finally, thanks to Toby Srebnik, who came up with Dunkin’s Sweet 16, for pointing me in the direction of another gustatory bracket at Washingtonian.com – this one pits burger joints.

> Discuss this entry

Dunkin' donuts is bringing a goofy new meaning to Sweet 16.

With Miami hosting NCAA Tournament first-round games today and Sunday, the doughnut chain dreamed up a sticky alternative bracket, pitting 16 varieties of its signature baked goods. Among the matchups: No. 3 Boston Kreme vs. No. 14 Baravian Kreme dubbed "A classic, U.S. city vs. German State." No. 8 Powdered vs. No. 9 Jelly is "shaping up to be a battle of the ages," according to a press release.

Dunkin' paired some unusual choices, including No. 6 Chocolate Frosted vs. No. 11 Blueberry. The mismatch of No. 1 to No. 16 is Glazed vs. Guava. Guava was included for demographic purposes, naturally.

Winners will be decided by the votes of 15 Dunkin' store owners across Florida. Voting runs through Sunday for the Sweet 16; March 25-27 for the “Extraordinary Eight,” and April 1-3 for the “Fabulous Four.” The "Florida State Donut Champion" will be announced April 7.

Facebook and Twitter users are encouraged to influence the votes by expressing their support for their favorite doughnuts. Just don't lick your fingers.

> Discuss this entry

They may have just lost four games in a row, but the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt. And there are still ticket deals to be had at BankAtlantic Center.

Online travel deal Web site, Travelzoo, has more deals – including some for more than half off – for tickets ranging from $10 to $50.

The site is advertising tickets for the next four home games at prices such as $11.25 for Terrace Level seats that are regularly $23.50 up to $51.25 for premium upper level and club seats that regularly run $68.50 and $98.50. The deals are available for the following games: Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs; Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets; Monday against the Carolina Hurricanes and March 31 against the Ottawa Senators.

Check out the deals here. Travelzoo also reminds Panthers fans that the “2 for Tuesday” deal, which includes two tickets and a voucher to buy two hot dogs for the price of one, is available for the March 31 game. The package costs $30 for upper level goal zone seats.

> Discuss this entry

It’s mostly sports fans who are using Twitter.com to update scores, pontificate about various players and plays and trash talk. Some are even “tweeting” live from games and placing friendly wagers. But teams and events are increasingly realizing they need to be tweeting, too.

My story today examines how teams and events are incorporating social messaging system, Twitter, which allows users to send and receive messages of up to 140 characters, into their media, marketing and promotions. Teams are posting news stories, updates, scores, ticket discounts, promotions and more.

Reach the Dolphins here; the Heat here. The Panthers are in the process of launching an account and the Marlins are in talks with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, which controls the league’s new media rights, about setting up an account.

Even Homestead-Miami Speedway just started using Twitter this month to post news, driver quotes and even responses to Speedway Motorsports CEO Bruton Smith’s diatribe against Homestead last week. Check out the speedway’s twitter page here.

Are you talking sports on Twitter? Live tweeting from games? Let me know....

> Discuss this entry

When the NHL owners were on the verge of locking out players in 2004, Panthers management didn’t want to be caught without a business plan.

Panthers President Michael Yormark worked proactively to position the team and BankAtlantic Center as more than just a hockey team and an arena. In 2005, the team’s owners and arena’s operators renamed their business units “Sunrise Sports & Entertainment” to reflect better their wide ranging company that includes the Incredible Ice practice facility in Coral Springs, which is completing an expansion; and a publications business that is revamping its Panthers Insider magazine.

“We decided strategically to position the BankAtlantic Center and the Florida Panthers as a year-round sports entertainment and media company as opposed to a seasonal sports company,” Yormark said. “Furthermore, we realized the importance of creating customized and integrated, partnership opportunities across all of our business units, in order to deliver measurable results and a return on investment for our participating partners and it grew from there.”

Last week, Sunrise Sports & Entertainment unveiled its latest venture: the Sunrise Sports & Entertainment Media Network. It’s a way to integrate and incorporate all its business units and media partners to sell advertisers, sponsors and corporations on a one-stop shopping approach to all their media needs.

What it means is SSE will work with companies that sponsor the team or arena to develop advertising, sponsorship and promotional programs across 15 different platforms all brought together under the SSE Network roof. That includes: the team; arena; game program; Panthers Insider magazine; Incredible Ice; TV broadcaster Fox Sports Florida; cable partner Comcast; radio broadcaster 790 the Ticket; outdoor marquees; the team’s YouTube channel; Facebook and MySpace pages; Twitter account and more. Read more about the social networking portion here.

“Tonight everyone in this room must face the built in challenge of these tough economic times, which is why now more than ever we must provide unique marketing and advertising opportunities that drive results for our partners,” Yormark said during the network’s unveiling last week in the arena’s Chairman’s Club.

“The timing is absolutely perfect, in a fragmented marketplace where more than just traditional media outlets are needed to significantly effect your business, we give you fully integrated sports and entertainment programming,” he continued. “Tonight we touch every available media channel through one portal.”

It remains to be seen whether the network will drive more partnerships and foster more comprehensive marketing and advertising relationships, but Yormark says the company is breaking new ground. Check out the presentation here:

> Discuss this entry

Those public service announcements by local athletes in which they say they don’t chew, dip or smoke, are having an impact. So much so that Gov. Charlie Crist proclaimed this week “Tobacco Free Florida Week.”

In an unusual display of teamwork, eight pro and college teams around the state along with Fox Sports Florida and Sun Sports are continuing the anti-tobacco messages in force this week. The networks have taped more than 90 tobacco-free announcements with players and coaches. They’ll be played on scoreboards and during game telecasts.

Skeletons -- representing the nearly 29,000 Floridians who die each year from smoking, according to the Centers for Disease Control – will be dressed as sports fans and placed in the stands at participating arenas and stadiums (see photo of skeletons in UF and FSU gear). Street teams will promote anti-tobacco messages; smokifier vans, in which fans can see how they would age if they smoke, will be at the events.

"By combining efforts of professional and collegiate teams, local County Health Departments and other key tobacco prevention stakeholders, we can further extend the reach of the campaign's message," Kim Berfield, Florida Department of Health deputy secretary, said in a statement.

The festivities started Friday at the Orlando Magic-Detroit Pistons game and continued today at FSU’s basketball game against Clemson. Sunday afternoon’s Marlins-St. Louis Cardinals spring training game in Jupiter will also be a Tobacco Free Florida event. The rest of the week’s schedule: Monday night’s Heat-Cleveland Cavaliers game at AmericanAirlines Arena; Tuesday’s Tampa Bay Rays-Houston Astros spring trianing game; Thursday’s Panthers-Pittsburgh Penguins game at BankAtlantic Center; Friday’s Tampa Bay Lightning-St. Louis Blues game; and Saturday’s UF-University of Kentucky basketball game.

"Tobacco Free Florida Week presents a tremendous platform for us to utilize our unique media assets, along with those of our sports team partners across the state, in a concentrated, highly-visible way and encourage Floridians to pledge to be tobacco free," Fox Sports and Sun Sports Senior Vice President and General Manager Steve Liverani said in a statement.

Tobacco Free Florida Week is one part of this year’s campaign to promote anti-tobacco messages and help smokers quit. The campaign is funded by tobacco settlement dollars made available for anti-smoking programs when Floridians approved a constitutional amendment in 2006. Last year, $17 million was spent on the media campaign; the amount is up to $19.8 million this year.

The program directs smokers to the American Cancer Society’s Quitline for counseling and nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges. The message has been effective. Calls to the Quitline rose from about 4,000 in 2007 to about 45,000 last year.

> Discuss this entry

The Panthers may be the hottest team in South Florida, but good seats are still available to most games at BankAtlantic Center. And a number of them are available at a significant discount.

Online travel deal Web site, Travelzoo, has individual game tickets available at group rate prices – that’s as much as a 45 percent discount -- for five upcoming games. Discount tickets are available in four seating categories, including Upper Level Goal Zone seats for $20 (regularly $30) and Club Level seats for $50 (regularly $92).

Ticket are available to the following games: March 7 against the St. Louis Blues; March 14 against the Tampa Bay Lightning; March 17 against the Washington Capitals; March 19 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and March 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Meanwhile, limited lower bowl seats are available for all remaining weekday Panthers games for $49 – a $23 savings off the individual ticket price – thanks to team sponsor Saveology.com. The online comparison shopping Web site is covering the additional cost to provide the “Save Seats” to Panthers games.

The Panthers also still offer their Total Ticket package, starting at $17 in the upper bowl, which includes the ticket, $5 gas card and combo meal (personal pizza, chicken sandwich or turkey wrap; cookie or pretzel; and soda or bottle of water). The plan is available in most seating categories.

For more information, call 954-835-PUCK or visit the team’s Web site.

> Discuss this entry

They’ve renamed H-O-R-S-E after insurance company G-E-I-C-O for an event Saturday at NBA All-Star weekend, but Heat guard Dwyane Wade and sponsor T-Mobile are already thinking about H-O-R-S-E at the Eastern Conference Finals.

Wade and T-Mobile kicked off a promotion this week that will give one fan a chance to play H-O-R-S-E against Wade at the Eastern Conference Finals and a shot at winning $50,000. Oh, and the fan can bring along five favorite friends – this is T-Mobile, after all.

To enter, text MYSHOT to 72579 through May 1 or enter online beginning March 4 at www.t-mobile.com/nba -- where you’ll find more information on the promotion as well.

But be forewarned, Wade, who says he plays H-O-R-S-E “all the time,” is ready.

“We can both have fun, I will win, but we can both have fun. I think it’s an unbelievable opportunity for someone, the opportunity of a lifetime,” Wade said. “You can’t beat me. I’m very confident in my ability. I’ve got a couple of shots that will get me over the hump, but I’m sure people will make it hard on me.”

Meanwhile, Barkely is back with Wade in a new T-Mobile ad that also features Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard. T-Mobile dropped the ads that paired Wade and Barkley, after Barkley's drunk driving arrest on New Year's Eve. Barkley also took a leave of absence from his position as an NBA analyst with TNT, but the network now says Barkley will be back, but after the All-Star game.

The new T-Mobile ad breaks Friday; Wade and Howard are on the coaching staffs of the rookies and sophomores, respectively, competing in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday night.

Check out the new spot:

> Discuss this entry

Twin brothers and sports team execs Michael Yormark (Panthers) and Brett Yormark (New Jersey Nets) often try to take credit for each other’s creative marketing ideas. This time, the pair is trying to offer each other’s fans a break.

Introducing the first-ever “Snowbird Ticket Exchange” program: Panthers season-ticket holders who happen to be in the New York/New Jersey area can cash in unused Panthers tickets for a seat at a Nets game. Nets season-ticket holders in South Florida can do the same to get with unused Nets tickets for a Panthers game.

You just need to prove you’re a season-ticket holder and provide five days’ notice.

“This innovative program represents yet another way for us to add value to being a Florida Panthers season-ticket holder,” Panthers President Michael Yormark said in a statement. “As I am sure many of our fans regularly visit the New York metropolitan area for business or pleasure, they will have an opportunity to add a Nets basketball game to their itinerary.”

Of course, Nets fans might be getting more value at BankAtlantic Center than Panthers fans at the IZOD Center — the Panthers are in the playoff hunt at 24-18; the Nets are lagging at 23-27.

The brothers, however, are also known for their creative sponsorship deals. Maybe they should get JetBlue to sponsor this promotion.

> Discuss this entry

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver and race team owner Tony Stewart is already an Office Depot customer. The Boca Raton-based office products retailer is co-primary sponsor of Stewart’s car this season and outfits Stewart-Haas Racing with its office equipment.

So, Office Depot is offering up a chance to win a $14,000 shopping spree with Stewart in one of its stores. The prize is part of a VIP race experience package at the May 23-24 Coca-Cola 600 race weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., that includes a ride-a-long with Stewart.

To enter Office Depot’s “At The Speed of Smart” sweepstakes visit officedepotracing.com and enter the transaction code that can be found on the receipt from an Office Depot purchase, through Feb. 28. There’s also a way to enter without making a purchase.

The company is using the sweepstakes to promote its products and its new sponsorship of Stewart.

“I’m excited to hang out with the winner during the ultimate Office Depot shopping spree,” Stewart said in a statement. “We’re going to have a great time…and I even promise to help push the shopping cart!”

> Discuss this entry

Just in time for Super Bowl XLIII, the University of Miami is offering women’s basketball fans a chance to win a 42-inch plasma television, complete with mounting hardware and installation.

Two TVs will be awarded at halftime of the UM women’s basketball game against Wake Forest at 2 p.m. Sunday at BankUnited Center. All fans will have a chance to fill out an entry form when they arrive at the arena.

Meanwhile, WQAM (560-AM) is offering a “Lucky Charms promotion” that includes the best 100 remaining seats at BankUnited Center for Wednesday’s men’s game against Wake Forest for $56 instead of the usual $75. The promotion gets better if the ‘Canes beat the Demon Deacons. If that happens, you’ll receive a free ticket to the Canes game against Boston College on Feb. 21. Then, if the ‘Canes beat Boston College, that scores you a free ticket to the team’s final home game against NC State on March 7. And there’s more: if the Canes win their final four home games, you’ll get a free season ticket next year. For more information, call 1-800-GO-CANES and mention the “Lucky Charms promotion” or email: canestix@miami.edu.

> Discuss this entry

There are three more chances to enter the Panthers’ “Watch It! Win It!” promotion, for a chance to win a block party, complete with a street hockey game with two Panthers players to serve as coaches.

During the next three Panthers’ game broadcasts on FSN Florida, fans will receive a special code to enter at the team’s Web site, www.floridapanthers.com. They’ll be entered for a chance to win the block party and nightly prizes that have included free tickets, a $100 shopping spree at Pantherland, and an autographed jersey.

Codes will be given out during tonight’s broadcast of the Panthers game against the Montreal Canadiens; Saturday’s game against the New York Islanders; and Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

> Discuss this entry

This time it was a call from Hurricanes guard Jack McClinton.

McClinton called my cell phone yesterday with a message about the men’s basketball team’s upcoming ACC games, including tonight’s against the University of Maryland at BankUnited Center.

Of course, it wasn’t really McClinton – just one of those automated calls players and Coach Frank Haith make to season ticket holders to remind them to attend games and to individual ticket buyers to urge them to buy tickets to particular games the school is promoting.

UM places the calls periodically and has been using them for all their sports. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I share basketball season tickets and just happen to be attending tonight’s game. I got messages from voice of the Hurricanes Joe Zagacki last year.)

These calls tend to get my attention. What about you?

> Discuss this entry

Want to throw your weight around? Think you have the gift of flab?

The Marlins want you. The team is holding tryouts for the second season of the Marlins Manatees, Major League Baseball’s first all-male dance squad.

Last year’s squad of burly, big men featured members with nicknames such as “Tiny,” “Big Kahuna” and “Mr. Mantastic.” The group performs dance routines between innings at Friday and Saturday night home games at Dolphin Stadium.

Interested in trying out? You must be at least 18 and willing to learn a dance routine. Don Marlins gear and show up at noon on Sunday, Jan. 18 at U.S. Century Bank Arena on the FIU campus, 11310 SW 17th St., Miami. For more information, visit the team's Web site.

Auditions for the Marlins Mermaids female dance team will be held at 8 a.m. the same day at Century Bank Arena. Mermaid hopefuls must be at least 18, dressed in dance attire and shoes and have a resume and head shot. Mermaids who make the first cut will take part in a Mermaid boot camp with final auditions at 9 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. Find more information here.

> Discuss this entry

AmericanAirlines Arena is getting a new look: a giant digital marquee that will front Biscayne Boulevard and be able to broadcast advertising, announcements and video footage.

The Heat is to be the first U.S. sports team to incorporate the MediaMesh technology that is being used at spots in Europe.

The Heat and A2aMedia announced plans for the digital LED screen today and work to install it will begin immediately. The 3,400-square foot screen will cover a dozen window panels on the front of the arena. But the material, which is woven stainless steel mesh that contains linear tubes filled with LED nodes, is up to 70 percent transparent so it will not obstruct views both in and out of the arena. The screen is expected to be operational in March or April.

The screen, called a “Spectacular,” will allow the Heat to showcase upcoming events, sponsor advertising, and even video of Heat games. It will also give the team and arena another source of revenue.

“The new LED Spectacular will provide the official sponsors of the Miami Heat, AmericanAirlines Arena and the events taking place at the arena with an innovative sponsorship platform, and serve as a way to establish a more interactive relationship between the arena and the people and tourists of South Florida," Eric Woolworth, Heat president of business operations, said in a statement. "Most importantly, this installation will solidify the AmericanAirlines Arena as a trendsetting landmark and reinforce its importance in South Florida history.”

Watch a video rendering of the technology:

> Discuss this entry

Continuing their commitment to families, the Panthers are hosting Kids Day at Saturday afternoon’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers at BankAtlantic Center.

Tickets for children 12 and younger are $10 and there will be a variety of giveaways, including movie passes and BankAtlantic No. 7 piggy banks, and concession specials, including a $15 buffet at the Chairman’s Club. Kids will also serve in a number of roles around the arena during the 1 p.m. game – singing the national anthem, accompanying Panthers players onto the ice, interviewing players on the scoreboard, performing as ice dancers, sitting in the broadcast booth and reporting from the press box. For more info, visit the team's Web site.

Title sponsor for Kids Day? Boca Raton’s Dr. Larry Kawa, the Panthers official orthodontist. Don’t steer him toward the IT’SUGAR section on the arena concourse where the candy store chain sells sweets by the pound.

Kids Day is just another way the team is reaching out to families. In addition to IT’SUGAR, the team started a Kids Korner last season with kid activities and kid-friendly concession stands, and a pin trading program – in which fans can buy and trade hockey-themed pins – was launched last month.

“We pride ourselves on being one of the most family-friendly franchises in professional sports and Kids Day is just another example of how we continue to make Florida Panthers hockey fun for the whole family,” Panthers President Michael Yormark said in a statement.

> Discuss this entry

An Oakland Park Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating the Florida Gators return to the BCS National Championship game on Thursday with specially decorated donuts and a deal.

Donuts celebrating UF will feature orange icing and blue sprinkles. And you can pick up two dozen for $9.99. Franchisee Michael Koroghlian is hoping fans will want to add UF donuts to their tailgate.

“Fans can enjoy them before the game and then have an extra dozen ready to roll following a Florida victory,” a hopeful Koroghlian said in a statement.

The Gators donuts will be available from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 801 E. Commercial Blvd., Oakland Park.

> Discuss this entry

Taking a page from Disney, the Panthers will launch a collectible pin-trading program at Sunday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche at BankAtlantic Center.

Ushers and other team staffers will be wearing collectible pins on lanyards that fans can trade for with their own NHL- and hockey-related pins they bring with them or that they purchase at the game. Pins will be sold for $6.95 and $12.95 at a pin stand at Section 125 of the arena.

Panthers President Michael Yormark came up with the idea this fall when he saw pin trading occurring during a visit to Disney World with his daughter, Sophia. He said he “was amazed at the reaction from children of all ages. I do believe it will work here and potentially pull more families and children to our Panthers games.”

The Panthers have been boosting family-friendly activities and areas at the arena, including the Kids Korner, which launched last season and features games, activities and kids’ menu items, including mini-pizzas and caramel apples.

Additionally, IT’SUGAR, the chain of candy stores, has partnered with the Panthers this year and opened a store on the plaza level, where fans can buy old-fashioned sweets in bags by weight.

> Discuss this entry

The Heat is expecting a big crowd – possibly a full house – for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team’s won four games in a row and crowds tend to pick up during the holiday season.

But filling seats hasn’t been easy this season. That’s one reason the team launched the “Educator Appreciation Program” -- to help out South Florida school district employees and try to fill seats. School district employees in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Collier counties can get one free ticket to select games this season (based on availability) and additional tickets – for friends, family and students -- at a discount.

The idea is to honor educators and fill seats. After all, the Heat expects school district employees, who take advantage of the offer, won’t want to attend alone. The program is in effect for these games:

Monday v. Milwaukee Bucks
Jan. 3 v. New Jersey Nets
Jan. 26 v. Atlanta Hawks
Feb. 2 v. LA Clippers
Feb. 8 v. Charlotte Bobcats
Feb. 18 v. Minnesota Timberwolves
March 14 v. Utah Jazz

Employees will need to provide proof they work at one of the participating school districts. To take advantage of the program, call 786-777-DUNK or visit the Verizon Wireless Ticket Office at AmericanAirlines Arena, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and at noon on Saturdays, when there is a Heat game.

> Discuss this entry

Sports are supposed to be an escape from real life. Or at least, that’s what we’re always being told.

But in these difficult economic times, teams are increasingly getting involved in fans’ lives as a way to help out and strengthen their fan bases.

When the Heat launched its season ticket renewal campaign earlier this year, it entered early renewers into a sweepstakes to win prizes that included offers to pay fans’ property tax (up to $5,000) and FPL (up to $4,000) bills.

This week, the St. Louis Blues announced that at every Saturday home game beginning Nov. 29, the team will pay one fan’s mortage or rent payment for four months up to $4,000. The team will call the seat number of the lucky fan.

Today, the New Jersey Nets announced they are offering the unemployed free tickets and some assistance finding a new job. Up to 300 tickets for five different games will be released on a first-come first-served basis to unemployed fans, who sign up for the Nets Employment Program and submit their resumes. The resumes will be distributed to Nets sponsors – including UPS, TD Bank, Coca Cola Enterprises -- and season ticket holders who have businesses that are involved with the program. The fans will also have a chance to attend a Nets career fair later this month.

There are no guarantees the team will be able to provide fans jobs, but if you got one through the program, wouldn’t you be a Nets fan for life?

> Discuss this entry

Buoyed by their impressive win over the Denver Broncos Sunday and their .500 record (4-4), the Dolphins are offering up a new mini-plan for the last four home games of the season.

A limited number of the “Final Four” mini-plan will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday. The plan includes seats on the 100 and 400 levels, starting at $188 for the remaining games at Dolphin Stadium: Seattle Seahawks (Nov. 9); Oakland Raiders (Nov. 16); New England Patriots (Nov. 23); and San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 14).

Purchasing the plans makes fans season ticket holders, meaning they can renew their seat location or upgrade to full season ticket status for 2009. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 1-888-346-7849 or visit miamidolphins.com.

> Discuss this entry

Last season, the Heat sold $10 season tickets in the 400 level at AmericanAirlines Arena. This season, $10 will get you a 300 level seat and for $5 you can sit in the 400 level.

Responding to the difficult economy, the Heat is also offering a concession special at its 11 Monday night games: 16-ounce sodas and a box of popcorn for $1 each. The team is billing the promotion as “Monday Night Madness” and points out that for $7, you can get a game ticket in the 400 level, a soda and snack.

Other promotions this season include a "Guys Night Out," which features a game ticket, promotional size beer or soft drink, regular size hot dog and a half-time meet and greet with the Heat Dancers. Those specials are limited to certain nights.

“We’re all feeling the pinch and coping with the stress of living through tough economic times,” Eric Woolworth, Heat president of business operations, said in a statement. “We thought this was a great way to give all fans an opportunity to see a Heat game and grab a snack for less than the cost of going to the movies.”

> Discuss this entry

Never been to a Panthers game? Now’s your chance to go … for free.

The Panthers have launched a First Timer program, in which people who have never attended a Panthers game can sign up for a free pair of tickets to certain upcoming games with a Florida driver's license. (There is also a sign up option if you don’t have a license). Sign up at the Panthers Web site.

Team officials are convinced that once you attend a Panthers game, you’ll want to come back.

“We’re giving people an opportunity to test our product, to enjoy a night of hockey on us,” Panthers President Michael Yormark said. “Hopefully they have a wonderful experience, hopefully they’ll see the value of coming to a Florida Panthers game. It’s the greatest game live and if they walk away saying 'this is the greatest game live,' we think we’ve potentially hooked a new fan.”

But be prepared for a sales pitch. After all, this isn’t just about filling seats and selling hot dogs and beer. It’s also about capturing the data of potential season ticket buyers.

“Our sales people follow up with all the attendees within 24 hours,” Yormark said.

Sales representatives will ask if the first timers enjoyed the game, plan to come back and whether they want to invest in a six- or even a three-game pack that’s to be introduced in the coming weeks.

There are typically 500 tickets available per game – two per individual – but tonight’s game against the San Jose Sharks and Thursday’s against the Ottawa Senators are considered “family nights” so as many as five tickets per individual are available.

Already more than 1,000 people have signed up for a number of games this month and next and Yormark said the team saw spending per individual on concessions increase by $1.50 on Opening Night compared to the team’s 2007 opener.

“It’s about building our fan base one at a time. These people, for the most part, have never been to a Florida Panthers game before,” Yormark said. “It’s a great way to expose people, to collect data, get their feedback and hopefully turn them into fans.”

Have you taken advantage of this promotion? Do you plan to?

> Discuss this entry

Last year, Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury made sure Americans got a free lunch (taco) from Taco Bell when he stole second base during Game 2 of the 2007 World Series.

Taco Bell, which isn’t releasing the number of free tacos it dispensed last year other than to say it was in the “millions,” plans to serve up free tacos again this year. The quick service restaurant hopes the offer of a free Crunchy Season Beef Taco will help brighten these difficult times for consumers. After all, the company says there’s been a stolen base in every Fall Classic since 1990.

“Last year we gave away millions of tacos to America, and based on the wild popularity with consumers, we’re bringing back the promotion,” said David Ovens, Taco Bell Corp.’s chief marketing officer said in a statement. “With consumer sentiment near all time lows, ‘Steal A Base, Steal A Taco’ is our way of extending the magic of the World Series to everybody by celebrating the game and rewarding fans, no matter which team you root for.”

Taco Bell is in its fifth year as an official MLB sponsor and has hosted a range of promotions, which didn’t produce free tacos, such as when a player had to hit a home run to left or left center field during Game 3 of the 2006 World Series.

Redemption is once again limited to specific times, but Taco Bell has extended the time by an hour this year. If the first base is stolen during Games 1, 2, 3, or 4, consumers can pick up a Crunchy Seasoned Beef Taco (retail value 91 cents) between 2 and 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday, Oct. 28; if it occurs in Games 5, 6 or 7, the redemption period is 2-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. One taco per customer.

In addition, Taco Bell will make a $20,000 donation in the name of the player who steals the first base of the series to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Meanwhile, politics will play a role in the World Series, too. Presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama are reading quotes from famous Americans, including Martin Luther King Jr., and former presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, about baseball serving as “a beacon of hope through some of America’s difficult eras,” according to a FoxSports press release. The quotes will be included in the opening segments of Fox's World Series broadcasts.

> Discuss this entry

So it wasn’t exactly rocket science figuring out the Panthers were introducing an inflatable cow, when they said the new mascot would be related to the cowbell movement.

“Mad Cow” was introduced between the first and second periods of Saturday night's home opener at BankAtlantic Center to the strains of the Buckwheat Boyz' Peanut Butter Jelly Time -- typically reserved for the Dancing Banana. The inflatable cow bobbed up and down on the ice and showed off his rear end, which says “More Cowbell.” Fans could oblige since the Panthers gave out 15,000 red cowbells.

The Dancing Banana indicated in a teaser video that he was too busy this season to help with "more cowbell," but the Panther insist the Banana will be back and will make appearances in the "flesh" this season.

See the cow sitting in the stands, thanks to a photo borrowed from Murphy Burch – also known as VanMurph because that’s what he wears on his jersey – who with his wife Vanessa started the cowbell movement at the Panthers last year. The Cooper City couple brought the first cowbells to the arena during a game last December and the movement was born. The Panthers have obliged selling two different sizes of cowbells at Pantherland in the arena and showing clips from the Saturday Night Live skit in which actor Christopher Walken implores Blue Oyster Cult to use “more cowbell.”

> Discuss this entry

More cowbell? The Panthers think so.

Capitalizing on the cowbell craze that swept BankAtlantic Center last season, the Panthers will give out 15,000 red cowbells at Saturday’s 2008-09 home opener. Don’t forget to bring earplugs.

Cowbells won’t just be for supporting the team, they’ll be introducing the team’s new inflatable mascot. Fear not, the popular Dancing Banana will still be making appearances this season.

The cowbell phenomenon at the Panthers started last December when Murphy Burch, a Panthers fan from Cooper City who will be dropping a ceremonial first puck Saturday, saw fans ringing cowbells at a Chicago Wolves minor league hockey game.

Burch, known as "VanMurph" on his Panthers jersey, had grown tired of noisy fans of opposing teams outnumbering -- or at least out-cheering -- Panthers fans at BankAtlantic Center. He bought a couple of cowbells to a game, then a couple more for some friends. Cowbells became a topic on the Panthers message board. Soon a clip of the popular Saturday Night Live skit in which Christopher Walken pleads for Blue Oyster Cult to use “more cowbell,” was playing on the scoreboard and cowbells were for sale at the team’s Pantherland store.

Read Burch's explanation of the cowbell movement here.

While the SNL skit has given renewed life to cowbells in pop culture, the cowbell has been intertwined with sports for years. Popular at minor league and college hockey games, cowbells have also been heard at the Olympics in support of downhill skiers and at bicycling races, among other events.

They’ve been so popular at college football games that the SEC instituted a ban on the noisy bells, threatening a loss of yardage should they get too loud. Fans of Mississippi State still smuggle in the bells.

The Tampa Bay Rays adopted cowbells in 2007 because principal team owner Stuart Sternberg loves the SNL skit. They’ve been handed out to Rays fans – fans in opposing team jerseys are denied – and are used when opposing players have two strikes. And you wondered what the secret was to the Rays finally making it to the playoffs for the first time in team history…

Watch the teaser video for the Panthers' new inflatable mascot here:

> Discuss this entry

Was it something in the recipe?

The Vienna Beef company honored the Chicago Cubs' pitching rotation with special edition hot dogs: the Dempster Dog (Ryan Dempster); Marquis Dog (Jason Marquis); Wood-ie Dog (Kerry Wood); Marmol Dog (Carlos Marmol) and Lilly Dog (Ted Lilly). The Cubs made an unceremonious exit in the first round of the MLB playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Rays, meanwhile, have won their first and only playoff series so far and will face the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. Gallagher’s Steak House in Tampa has devised a number of dishes to honor the Rays: Popeye [Don Zimmer] Porterhouse; Calos Pena Crab Cakes; Jason Bartlett Beef Steak Tomato & Colossal Onion Salad; Akinori Iwamura Seared Ahi Tuna; Manager Joe Maddon-Mignon; Scott Kazmir New York Sirloin; and B.J. Upton Center Cup Pork Chops.

Eat up.

> Discuss this entry

Dunkin’ Donuts keeps adding sports to its promotions roster. The company has struck deals with baseball and basketball teams, including the Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, and the Heat. Now it’s supporting harness racing.

You can meet and get autographs from and photographs with Pompano Park Harness Track drivers Bruce Ranger, Wally Hennessey and Dan Clements on Saturday morning between 10 a.m. and noon at the grand re-opening of the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1405 S. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach. One autograph per person per driver.

The drivers will be part of an open house at the store from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Read more in our Action blog.

> Discuss this entry

When the Orlando Magic unveiled its new jerseys this afternoon it had some big help. Really, really big help: A 15-foot tall inflatable jersey that measures 22 feet from cuff to cuff.

The giant jerseys, billed as the “world’s largest jersey,” are the work of Action Sports America, a company that started 14 years ago and has made the giant jerseys for the past decade. They’re used to promote new teams, new uniforms, big events, college football games, says company founder Doug Verb.

They’re hand-sewn, hand-painted and cost $6,500 to $7,500. They’ve even been made to fit over statues, like the Flyers jersey that covered the statue of William Penn atop Philadelphia City Hall. Verb says he’s up to 237 different jerseys.

South Florida sports fans have probably seen the company’s handiwork at the Panthers or when the Heat won the NBA Championship in 2006. Or perhaps at Zo’s Summer Groove.

This afternoon, a giant Magic jersey stood outside the Cheyenne Saloon, where the new 20th anniversary uniforms were unveiled inside.

Action Sports America is also responsible for the hot dog launcher and inflatable Big Balls that mascots can get inside for promotional events and, of course, human bowling.

> Discuss this entry

The Heat could be invading an office near you.

The Heat Experience, anyway. That means Burnie the Heat mascot; the Heat Dancers, members of the Xtreme Team; the 2006 NBA Championship Trophy; the team’s Fireball Express – the firetruck that contains baskets, water cannons and a stereo system; Heat flags; noisemakers; and air fresheners.

And of course, sales representatives with information about purchasing season tickets and mini-plans.

Dubbed “office takeovers,” the idea of the lunchtime invasion is to get fans and potential ticket buyers excited about the Heat’s upcoming season. After going 15-67 last year, the team is employing grass-roots approaches to marketing and ticket sales.

The “Heat Experience” has already stopped at offices on Brickell and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami and has plans to make more stops at the Suntrust Building, the Bank of America Tower and the Wachovia Tower in the coming weeks. Check out this photo from One Biscayne Tower earlier this month.

The Heat gang made its first stop in Broward today, showing up at New River Center, which just happens to be the home of the Sun Sentinel. The hip hop music was so loud it could be heard several floors above the lobby and Heat dancers signed autographs on posters of last year’s dance squad. Sales representatives handed out ticket brochures and implored office workers to take noisemakers, only if they planned to attend games.

“We’re trying to get people excited for the season. We know last season wasn’t the best, but Dwyane Wade is healthy,” said Chris Cordero, a Heat account manager. “Everybody is always excited. People want to come out and see the trophy. People don’t believe it’s real.”

Heat representatives said the efforts have been successful in securing sales leads on potential ticket buyers.

“The whole purpose of this is to bring the Heat Experience out of the arena,” said Joshua Goshin, Heat marketing event coordinator.

> Discuss this entry

Heat guard Dwyane Wade is continuing his partnership with Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers with new commercials, games and activities that encourage kids' fitness. The official launch of Goldfish Games will come Thursday at the NBA Store in Manhattan, but you can check out the program and the TV spots -- airing on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and other kid-focused networks -- at pfgoldfish.com.

The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist will lead Jr. NBA and Jr. NBA teams in a clinic of Goldfish games and kids' activities all aimed at promoting fitness. Goldfish Games includes a variety of games and activities to encourage kids to be active. The Goldfish Games Xtreme Challenge, starting on Oct. 1, is a contest in which kids will be asked to create their own games for a shot at attending the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix and a $1000 grand prize.

“As both a professional athlete and the father of two young children, I know firsthand the importance of teaching our children the significance of a healthy lifestyle, so they have the tools and knowledge to make good choices about nutrition and fitness,” Wade said in a statement.

With the launch of Goldfish Games, Pepperidge Farm has also released two new Goldfish cracker flavors -- Monstrous Mozzarella Stick and Racing Ranch -- which are already in stores.

> Discuss this entry

Two of the biggest trades in baseball last week have created a little dilemma for Charity Wines. That’s the Massachusetts company that launched a line of wines in honor of athletes to raise money for their favorite charities. A portion of the sale of each bottle of wine goes to the charity.

The concept actually started with three Boston Red Sox players -- Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield. But with Ramirez moving to the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, the labels on his “Manny Being Merlot” aren’t going to change. They don’t say Red Sox, but they do reflect the team’s colors.

“The bottles are already printed and in retail, so the labels cannot be changed,” Brett Rudy, co-founder and director of marketing for Charity Hop Sports Consulting, said in an email.

Charity Hop is a Boston company that assists sports and charity organizations with fundraising.

“We have a similar challenge with Ken Griffey Jr's wine now that he was traded from Cincinnati to Chicago,” Rudy wrote. “Players get traded all the time and it doesnt hurt the baseball card industry, so perhaps it won't hurt the wine biz either.”

Proceeds from Ramirez’s wine benefits Miami-based CHARLEE Homes for Children, which provides support services for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Proceeds from Ken Griffey Jr.’s “Junior Cabernet Sauvignon” go to Griffey’s foundation, which supports a variety of children’s causes.

Rudy said the company’s licensing agreement with the MLB Players Association does not cover producing wines for Ramirez and Griffey in their new cities.

You can still place online orders at charitywines.com.

> Discuss this entry

Just wanted to share what seemed like a good idea by the Milwaukee Brewers to reward fans for left fielder Ryan Braun’s performance in Monday night’s Home Run Derby.

Billed as “Braun Homers…You Score!” the program allowed fans to purchase Loge Outfield seats at Miller Park today for the Aug. 11 game versus the Washington Nationals for a price reduced by a $1 for every home run Braun hit in the derby. Braun hit 14. Loge seats dropped from $26 to $12 for that night. Fans were limited to four tickets when the tickets went on sale this morning.

> Discuss this entry

Dunkin’ Donuts keeps expanding its relationship with sports.

The company is capitalizing on baseball’s popularity this summer with its Bases Loaded promotion that combines free food and other prizes with a video game component that allows fans to face one of two pitchers online to try to get a hit. Dunkin’ is partnering with MLB, the MLB Players Association and 2K Sports.

Through Sept. 30, all cups of cold Dunkin' beverages – iced tea and coffee and smoothies – come with a peel-away sticker that carries a login code for fans to win prizes and coupons for flatbread sandwiches and pizzas. At dunkindonuts.com/basesloaded, baseball fans can choose to face either New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain or Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon to try to get a hit. Prizes include 2K Sports games, high definition TVs, and Xbox video game systems.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir are also helping advertise the promotion in their markets – meaning the Rays' success on the field is getting them notice off the field, too. Fans in most Florida counties -- excluding South Florida and the Treasure Coast -- will also be eligible to win Rays tickets and a trip to Boston to see a Rays-Red Sox game.

Meanwhile, the Massaschusetts company also got involved with NASCAR this past weekend, stopping at Daytona International Speedway for the Nationwide Series Daytona 250 on July 4. A Dunkin' logo and hot coffee cup appeared on driver Eric McClure’s No. 24 car and his crew got Dunkin’ items for meals last Thursday and Friday.

> Discuss this entry

Oh the irony.

The Washington Nationals are hosting a “Conversion Day” promotion at their new ballpark on Sunday. The concept is not unusual: bring in a piece of gear from any other Major League Baseball team and trade it in for a National hat featuring the curly W logo.

But for this promotion the hat you get in return is made from organically-grown cotton. The sponsor of this "green" giveaway?

ExxonMobil.

In addition, the promotion says there are hats available for the first 10,000 fans, but it also says one hat per fan, “while supplies last.” Hmmm.

The promotion also seems aimed squarely at fans of the Baltimore Orioles, who are the Nats’ opponent that day. After all, the former Montreal Expos are looking to build their fan base in the Baltimore-Washington Metro area. Conversion Day prompted chatter on an Orioles message board.

> Discuss this entry

The Heat is offering fans a chance to meet the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft with its “There Can Only Be One” online sweepstakes. The play on the league’s popular playoff ad campaign is about the hype over who the Heat will draft on June 26.

Fans can log into the team’s Web site through June 25 for a chance to choose who they think the Heat will pick. All fans who are South Florida residents, who make the correct pick, will be entered into a drawing to meet the player at a future event. The team will choose 20 winners for the honor.

Meanwhile, leave it to creative marketer Brett Yormark, CEO of the New Jersey Nets, to come up with a useful way to reward season ticket buyers.

The Nets hope to give away more than $250,000 worth of free gas to season ticket buyers. The team is dangling free gas cards worth 10 percent of the price of full season ticket packages to buyers, who purchase packages through June 26.

> Discuss this entry

The winner of Office Depot’s and Harlequin Enterprises' “Say Yes to a Winning Proposal” contest will have his or her marriage proposal unveiled Saturday at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race in Charlotte.

The question will go spinning around the track on the back of Carl Edwards’ No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion. It’s just one of the many ways NASCAR sponsors are working to bring the regular fan as close as possible to the sport. The winner also gets a diamond ring and trip to Sedonar, Ariz.

Delray Beach-based Office Depot is collecting entries for its “Official Small Business of NASCAR” sweepstakes through June 22. That contest will allow a business with 99 or fewer employees to put its name on the back of Edwards’ car for one race – Sept. 28 in Kansas -- and in a less prominent spot for other races during the rest of the season. The company also gets a $10,000 business makeover and to use “Official Small Business of NASCAR” on stationery and business cards for a year.

The office products company has added a new component to the contest, now in its fourth year: the opportunity to increase your entries by asking friends and family to nominate your business online. The company launched “Connect with Carl,” which allows you to send recorded messages from Edwards asking to nominate your business, enter the sweepstakes or just visit the company’s racing Web site. The messages can be customized with your name and a variety of descriptions of the recipients – the technology isn’t new, but somehow it’s always entertaining.

> Discuss this entry

Promotion for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is everywhere – even Major League Baseball team schedules and at NBA.com.

Indiana Jones is sponsoring the "Dunk of the Night" on NBA.com and the first Indiana Jones movie in 19 years is helping advertise the NBA’s Conference Finals.

Check out your favorite Major League Baseball team’s schedule online and you’ll find Harrison Ford’s photo in the box for May 22 – opening day for the movie. There’s even an online MLB sweepstakes tied to the movie that includes tickets to see your favorite MLB “living legend” and tickets to the film.

MLB stirred up controversy in 2004 when it teamed with Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios to promote Spider-Man 2 at ballparks across the country, including putting spider webs on the bases. The web-covered bases were scrapped after the outcry.

So are you offended by Indiana Jones teaming with your sports and appearing in the MLB schedule?

> Discuss this entry

Couldn’t resist this minor league giveaway: The Lancaster JetHawks, a Boston Red Sox affiliate, gave out “Big Poppy” bobblehead dolls on Saturday. That’s right, the doll looks like David “Big Papi” Ortiz, but has a big orange “poppy” flower for a face.

The poppy is the California state flower. It blooms in the Lancaster area in the spring, and if the weather conditions are just right, the brown desert hills burst with color and look like they’re on fire. I know, I used to cover the city of Lancaster for the LA Daily News, long before the city had a minor league baseball team.

> Discuss this entry

Dunkin’ Donuts is continuing to push its iced coffee and its partnership with the Heat. Customers who purchase an iced coffee at participating Broward or Miami-Dade stores through May 20 will receive a coupon for a free limited edition 1988 inaugural season Heat draft cap.

You need to attend the Heat’s Draft Lottery party at AmericanAirlines Arena, 6-9 p.m. May 20 – where the team will learn when it will pick in this year’s draft (somewhere between first and fourth) -- to cash in the hat coupon. But you’ll also get gift cards for Dunkin’ Donuts purchases and a chance to attend a meet and greet with the Heat’s 2008 draft pick on June 27.

To kick off the promotion, which begins today, the Heat dancers, Burnie and others will stop by the Dunkin’ Donuts at 3280 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale from 3-5 p.m. today. And Dunkin’ Donuts will host its second annual “Free Iced Coffee Day” from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday. Stop by AmericanAirlines Arena between noon and 4 p.m. on Wednesday for free samples, as well.

> Discuss this entry

If you’ve been reading my stories or followed this blog, you already know that super high energy Panthers President Michael Yormark has an identical twin brother Brett, who happens to be CEO of the New Jersey Nets.

The two are so much alike they finish each other’s sentences and take credit for each other’s creative marketing ideas. In this item from December in an unusual moment, Michael actually gave Brett credit for coming up with a mini-mascot.

But it’s difficult to capture in print how fast paced the brothers are. CNBC Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell says he’s done that in Friday’s installment of CNBC's “High Net Worth.”

“The truth is their lives have been one big competition and so we’ve told it that way,” Rovell told me. “The piece is basically one big competition from who sold the most creative sponsorship to who wakes up earlier to who works out harder to who’s the best dresser.”

In a story I wrote about them in 2006, Michael insisted he was in the office by 4 a.m.; Brett by 5:15 a.m. This is also from that story:

The pair share business strategies, and occasionally take credit for the other's idea. For example, did "Pancakes with the Panthers" come before "Pancakes and Hoops," which both involved inviting lapsed season-ticket holders to breakfast with players and team executives to encourage them to renew?

Brett, who says he's three minutes older than Michael, launched a series of "Influencer Parties," in which Nets season-ticket holders host potential ticket buyers at catered cocktail parties at their homes. Next month, the Panthers will begin "Hockey House Calls," in which season-ticket holders will host block party-style gatherings for friends, family and neighbors who might be interested in Panthers tickets.

What Rovell says his piece is able to capture is their energy. “We try to open them both up and show people these guys are impossible to walk with, the speed, the pace of their walk. I mean you need a trainer to keep up with them,” Rovell says with a chuckle. “They tell us that one day they might foresee at the end of their careers, opening up a consulting firm together. You kind of wonder what client would attend a 6 a.m. meeting.”

The show airs tonight at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

> Discuss this entry

The Marlins want your help choosing which player’s likeness should grace a bobblehead doll to represent the franchise’s 15 years.

The team is choosing one player to represent each year of the team’s existence – Brian Harvey for 1993; Gary Sheffield for 1994; Mr. Marlin Jeff Conine for 1995 and so on. The team is announcing a new player each day through Sunday and then will ask fans to vote beginning Opening Day, March 31. Voting takes takes place at the team’s Web site until June 1, the winning player will be announced June 6. The bobblehead of the winning player will be given out at the team’s Sept. 19 game against the Philadelphia Phillies during Fan Appreciation Weekend.

Who will you choose? Is it possible, it won’t be Jeff Conine? Could it be Dontrelle Willis or Miguel Cabrera, who were traded away this offseason, but were a huge part of making the Marlins matter again in 2003, when the team won its second World Series?

And speaking of Willis and Cabrera, have any Marlins fans received an email from team sales representatives mentioning the two players as the team tries to get you to buy season tickets this year?

> Discuss this entry

Start spreading the news… The minor league Macon Music of the South Coast League has scheduled an “Eliot Spitzer Night” on June 13 complete with invitation to the disgraced former New York governor to throw out the first pitch.

In true minor league fashion, the promotion has a number of elements that play on the story of Spitzer, who resigned his post Wednesday after being linked to a high-priced prostitution ring.

The team plans a New York vacation giveaway; a Music prize package for Client – or fan – No. 9; and a gift certificate to the team store for fan No. 871, a reference to Spitzer’s room number at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Fans named Eliot, Spitzer or “Kristen” get $1 off admission, as does anyone who has resigned his position.

Frank Sinatra’s music will be played throughout the evening at Luther Williams Field in Macon, Ga. And the ballpark’s ATMs will not dispense more than $5,000 an hour.

> Discuss this entry