The NFL Report publication wrote that Forbes.com lists the Super Bowl as the No. 1 sports brand in the world. In order the brands are the Super Bowl, Summer Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Daytona 500, Rose Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Winter Olympics, Kentucky Derby, World Series and NBA Finals. An event’s value was calculated from various revenue sources including TV, tickets and sponsorships.
Michael Cuddyer said the TV commercial where he “cuts” Johan Santana in half took about four hours to film and was made last winter here in town. The commercial’s theme plays to Cuddyer’s love of magic tricks.
Twins vice president of marketing Patrick Klinger writing via e-mail about the franchise’s successful armed services promotion last Sunday: “Armed Services Appreciation Day presented by Qwest was a huge success. The Twins players and sponsors, via the TwinsCare program, provided current and former members of the military and their families with nearly 4,000 complimentary tickets to the Twins-Blue Jays game. About two dozen families were able to connect to loved ones serving oversees via live video links in suites at the dome. The auction of the caps worn by Twins players that day continues on www.twinsbaseball.com through Sunday, June 3. All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Military Family Foundation.”
Lookinforthesecret won the $45,000 Honor the Hero Turf Express at Canterbury Park on Monday and continued an unusual success story for owner Balkrisna Sukharan of Blaine. The horse was acquired by Sukharan for $12,500 in early January. After winning $27,000 on Monday, Lookinforthesecret has earned $118,840 in less than five months. The horse has won five of seven starts for Sukharan, a former jockey is his native Guyana.
Former Gopher football player Lewis Garrison is building his resume as a college basketball referee. Last season his assignments included officiating three Division II regional playoff games, and MIAC and state junior college championship games.
St. Thomas junior Shara Guidry won the women’s discus with a throw of 145 feet, 11 inches at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field championships last week in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Saint John’s was the highest placing MIAC men’s team, finishing fourth among 79 teams with 27 points. St. Thomas placed highest among conference teams with 17 points (tied for 14th among 74 teams).