Alyssa Milano has an option for female NFL fans tired of wearing oversized men's logowear but still wanting to look fashionable while supporting their team: her "TOUCH" apparel and jewelry line, available at NFL Shop.
Launched in spring 2007, TOUCH, which also includes lines for the NBA and NHL, was born out of necessity, according to Milano's Web site. When Milano, an avid baseball fan, went to games, "she wanted to wear fan gear to support her team, but found that the product mix offered in the marketplace did not address her everyday fashion needs. She felt women should be able to look stylish while cheering on their favorite team. So, she partnered with G-III Apparel Group and Major League Baseball to design and distribute a line of juniors' ladies MLB apparel." And so it began.
I just learned about the line when I saw a TV ad during a Sunday night football game; it seems the NFL partnership is fairly new. This line includes 245 products that range in price from $16.99 - $89.99.
View the gallery for some examples. Most of the products are available for multiple teams.
With people in the U.S. starting to spend less on travel and on entertainment the National Football League is seeking greener pastures when it comes to marketing the Super Bowl. Bloomberg reports that the NFL has made a big push to market corporate Super Bowl travel packages outside the U.S. The hope is that corporate clients in Canada, Japan, the U.S. and Mexico will be willing to travel to Tampa, Florida to see the game on February 1 and take part in the surrounding festivities. Packages run from around $4,600 to around $10,600 depending on tickets and parties.The NFL has a dedicated website to sell these packages and is competing against travel companies that also offer packaged sports events promotions. Of course the NFL has the upper hand when it comes to access to tickets, hotels and all the parties. The game is traditionally one of America's biggest celebrations but it remains to be seen if the rest of the world is ready to join our Super Bowl party.
Super Bowl partying doesn't have to be reserved for Super Bowl Sunday only -- why can't you start the fun a little early? High-rolling football lovers have been getting their party on since as early as this past Wednesday in all kinds of unique ways. Sunday might be the biggest day, but the days and week before it are the perfect excuse for golf outings, club openings, and even luxurious spa visits in preparation for a loud day of cheering.
The game itself on Sunday may be most comfortably watched from up in one of the University's party room suites, where you'll have plenty of flat screen LCD TVs for game viewing, private restrooms, a wet bar, and first class drinks and snacks ordered via video teleconferencing direct with the kitchen. And afterwards, if you're one of the first 500 to score a ticket (at $1000 each), you're sure to have a blast at the MVP Main Event at the Phoenix Art Museum.
Football season is in full swing and the tradition of tailgating is one of the best parts of the game. Gameday Customs creates custom tailgating trailers that have everything you need for your pre-game festivities. The trailers come with LCD TV, satellite, DVD, generator, running water, beer on tap and even (and perhaps most importantly) your own toilet. Other options include a soda dispenser, microwave or a barbecue. They are also available in a choice of colors so that you can match with our favorite team. The 5 x 8 trailer sells for $13,900 before options.
What a dream for a little girl or boy to have a bedroom modeled after their favorite fairytale or movie! Of course the rich and famous can afford to give their kids whatever they want, and they aren't hesitating to do just that when it comes to bedroom design and decor. One designer says "if you can draw it we can make it," which is resulting in every creation you can imagine -- from a $47,000 pumpkin-shaped carriage bed (Cinderella) to a Tom Thumb room consisting entirely of over-sized furniture.
It's not unusual for these designer bedrooms to end up costing $50,000 to $100,000 by the time they're complete. Would you spend that much on your child's bedroom? Especially considering they'll probably grow out of the theme and want something new in a year or two?
Swag is a concept that usually seems to be reserved for awards and fashion shows, but the 32 NFL team owners and other high-profile VIPs at yesterday's Super Bowl also received some great gifts - three different baskets full. Most of it seemed to be edible, but swag is swag, right? The first was a Florida-themed basket (although not everything was from Florida) with, products from Lamas Beauty, Chocolate Gourmet, Er'go Candles, Bella's Confections' Fudge, VitaZest, Terry's Dark Chocolate Oranges, Lindt Chocolate filled with Orange and Salt Water Taffy. The second basket was a safari theme, with goodies including the Thymes Fig Leaf and Cassis Body Lotion, Tastefully Simple Beer Bread, Peeled Snacks and Brownie Points Caramel Pretzel Rods and more from Chocolate Gourmet and VitaZest. The final basket was Arizona-themed in honor of the 2008 Super Bowl location and had Catoctin Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Popcorn, Prickly Pear Cactus Candy, Tastefully Simple Blue Aztec Chips and Salsa and soaps from Maryam's Soap Nook.
Sports fans take note: at the Super Bowl this year, Pepsi will giving away a super can valued at $100,000, along with lifetime Super Bowl tickets. Pepsi sales have been in decline for the past year or so, so a contest is just what the brand feels it needs to reinvigorate its customer base. The can is one of a kind, made of sterling silver and studded with diamonds, rubies and sapphires. It bears logos for both Pepsi and the NFL and was "inspired by 40 years of Super Bowl rings."
For a chance at winning, you can pick up a code for the contest at the Pepsi site. The winning code will be announced during the Super Bowl game on February 4th.
We've seen a monster book on Manchester United, now to add to the collection of luxury sports books that includes a book on Muhammad Ali, comes this massive tome dedicated to iconic star Pele. The book weighs over 25 pounds and is the first book from Gloria, a luxury publisher. The "carnival" edition of Pele had a £4,000 price tag, but is all sold out. The Super Samba edition sells for £2,000 and is a limited edition of 250 that includes a Pele photograph signed by the photographer. The Samba version without the photo sells for £1,600. Both versions are covered in green silk. Each book in the total series of 2,500 has been signed by Pele.
The ultimate present for soccer fans might be the the massive United Opus which celebrates the history of the Manchester United soccer team. The 850-page book is a limited edition of 10,000 each signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton. The book even includes a list of the top players to ever play for the team (David Beckham comes in 14th). Each book weighs over 75 pounds and sells for around $5,850.
The World Series is over and most of the Bowl games are barely on the horizon, but one thing that is just as important as who is playing is where you are going to be when you watch the game. Forbes Traveler has picked out the best skyboxes in North America. Their slideshow even gives you a sneak peek inside each and every location. Here is the list of the top spots, the price (per season unless otherwise indicated) and their home teams and, if you end up having to change team allegiances to get in to the top boxes, remember that your friends will forgive you as long as you invite them up, too.
Luxury boxes at The Rogers Centre, Toronto Blue Jays ($32,000 a game)
The Pool Zone at Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks ($5,900 per game, pictured)
Suites at FedEx Field, Washington Redskins ($75,000 to $200,000)
Platinum executive suites at Air Canada Centre, Toronto Maple Leafs ($287,000 to $465,000 )
The Lofts at Cardinals Stadium, Arizona Cardinals ($65,000 to $125,000)
President's box at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, host of the U.S. Open ($12,000 to $25,000 per session)
Luxury boxes at Gillette Stadium, New England Patriots ($325,000)
Suites at Bank of America Stadium, Carolina Panthers ($59,000 to $100,000+)
Luxury box suites at Busch Stadium, Saint Louis Cardinals ($105,000 to $185,000)
The World Cup will soon be over but if you are looking for a collectible that can help you remember this year's contest then this one-of-a-kind limited edition football Bearbrick toys might be the ultimate find. This set, one of only eight sets created, is being auctioned off by Charity Folks to benefit the world's refugee youth through Ninemillion.org. The toys represent the eight Nike-sponsored teams that qualified for this year's World Cup-Brazil, Portugal, Australia, Croatia, Holland, Mexico, Korea and the United States. The Nike Foundation is matching the first US $1 million donated to ninemillion.org. Bids start at $15,000.
German designers Markus Gogolin and Hedwig Rotter were counting on the German football team to make it to the World Cup finals this year. Unfortunately for them, the team lost to the Italians. There is one final match for the German team tomorrow against Portugal, playing for third place. Considering that the team could still score a trophy, the finale! vases are still rather appropriate. Made from porcelain, they measure 39x25x9-cm and are modeled on a real footballer's lower leg and foot. There are no distinctive German-team markings on the shoe, so any fan could enjoy them and still support his or her favorite team. The foot is not included - and that's probably just as well. Price: €155.
Nike must be jealous that Adidas got the official sponsorship for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, not to mention that they got to design the official game ball($130), because Nike has released a limited edition soccer ball "to celebrate the spirit of the World Cup." The white leather Futsal balls are decorated with an array of symbols that represent "diversity, behavior and skills shown by players," though Nike does not mention which symbol represents which player or skill. Any guess as to what the gnarled tree represents? Or the unicorn?
Only 64 of these balls will be produced and they will only be sold until the final game on July 9th, assuming that they don't sell out before then. Price: $225.
BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the world's richest soccer players, all of whom are playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup this year. This also helps us see that, though the US may not pay its players as much as the players of other professional sports, soccer is indeed one of the most popular - and best rewarded - sports in the world. Here are the top five highest paid players and their annual incomes:
We already saw designer soccer balls from Takashi Murakami and a whistle chair/sculpture for armchair referees, but Paul Smith has a whole line of products that he developed in celebration of the World Cup. First up is his take on a football, made of fake crocodile skin colored with bright hues. Unfortunately, unlike the Murakami balls, it is not intended to be used as more than a novelty and should not even be taken outdoors. This isn't a problem if you want to toss the ball around while watching the game on TV, though. The ball is £169.
Swag is a concept that usually seems to be reserved for awards and fashion shows, but the 32 NFL team owners and other high-profile VIPs at yesterday's Super Bowl also received some great gifts - 
Sports fans take note: at the Super Bowl this year, Pepsi will giving away a 
BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the 
We already saw 
