Free Republic

NASCAR returned to its roots Wednesday by lifting a ban on liquor ads on cars, opening the door for teams to be sponsored next season by distilled spirits. ``We felt the time was right,'' NASCAR president Mike Helton said. ``Attitudes have changed, and spirits companies have a long record of responsible advertising.'' NASCAR already allowed beer and malt liquor sponsorships. Budweiser sponsors Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s car, for example, and Busch sponsors a lower-tier racing series. But NASCAR restricted what liquor companies could do since the sport's modern era began in 1972, most recently denying a bid from Roush Racing in...

IN A far cry from the high-minded ideals of humanity and tolerance embodied by the Olympics, the organisers of the Athens games have warned spectators that they could be barred for taking a surreptitious sip of Pepsi or an illicit bite from a Burger King Whopper. Strict regulations published by Athens 2004 last week dictate that spectators may be refused admission to events if they are carrying food or drinks made by companies that did not see fit to sponsor the games. Sweltering sports fans who seek refuge from the soaring temperatures with a soft drink other than one made...

ARMONK, N.Y. (July 23, 2003) -- The National Football League and IBM announced a three-year agreement naming IBM as the NFL's official information technology (IT) partner. The agreement is centered on helping the NFL create the technology platform required to support next-generation digital media and other critical new business ventures for the NFL. As part of the agreement, IBM will receive the rights to use NFL and Super Bowl marks and imagery in its advertising and marketing efforts. It also will receive prominent presence on numerous NFL media platforms, including NFL.COM and NFL Sunday Ticket (the NFL's out-of-market satellite subscription...

OGDEN -- A handful of Ogden police officers will begin patrolling city streets today in 10 new cars that local businesses have partially bankrolled in exchange for the right to have their logos adorn the cruisers. Police Chief Jon Greiner said the sponsorships are nothing as extensive as those found on NASCAR racing cars. "This is just a way for all the business community to thank the police department for what we do every day," Greiner said. "It doesn"t look like commercialism." Beginning today, the 10 2003 Ford Crown Victoria"s -- with a small sponsorship circle on the rear quarter...

HAGERSTOWN, Md.--And now, the slaughter at Bloody Lane, brought to you by F&M Bank.Corporate sponsors and 13,000 Civil War buffs will come together next week to re-enact the bloodiest day on U.S. soil, the Battle of Antietam.For the first time at such an event, three of the almost 40 participating companies are exclusive sponsors of specific skirmishes.In addition to the fighting at Bloody Lane, where 5,500 men were killed or wounded, spectators can watch the daybreak clash in the Cornfield, sponsored by Antietam Cable, and the afternoon arrival of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill's men--presented through the courtesy of Hagerstown Trust.The...