Once again, I came up empty.The passion is clearly there. The opportunity is there. I can’t help but think Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, local retailers, and tourism leaders are leaving significant brand-building and merchandise revenue on the table during the #StanleyCup Final.
....among the best event environments I’ve ever experienced! The fans, energy, and game presentation were first class. But when I returned to #RDU today, still energized from last night’s game, I searched again for Canes merchandise to bring home a T-shirt for my wife.
Having attended Final Fours and National Championship events, the contrast was striking. Major sporting events create unique opportunities to activate a community and celebrate a team’s success.To be clear, the atmosphere at Lenovo Center was outstanding, ......
...was competing for Lord Stanley’s Cup. No event displays, no major merchandise presence, and after visiting multiple stores, I finally located a #Fanatics jersey.
that’s a missed opportunity for exposure, community engagement, and retail sales. Before Game 2, I went searching for a #Canes jersey to wear to the game. I visited Crabtree Valley Mall,a very impressive shopping destination but again found little evidence the hometown team ...
After spending many years in college athletics, I pay close attention to event marketing and merchandise sales. I attended Game 2 of the #StanleyCup Final between the #Canes and #Knights Incredible atmosphere, thrilling 3rd period and an unforgettable OT win for Canes
What surprised me: upon arriving at #RDU, there was virtually no indication that Raleigh was hosting one of the biggest events in sports. No banners, no welcome signage, no Stanley Cup branding, and no visible merchandise opportunities.
For a city hosting the Stanley Cup....
Jeff Long retweeted
📢 ALL RAZORBACK BASEBALL FANS 📢
I would like to officially announce the launch of Beer Hat Stats, an Arkansas Razorback Baseball database!
I've spent a ton of time working on this over the last few months and I'm really excited for everyone to see it!
Jeff Long retweeted
Congratulations to Paola Boivin (@PaolaBoivin), our 2026 Mary Garber Pioneer Award winner!
Boivin is a distinguished sports journalist, author, and @Cronkite_ASU professor, and she was an award-winning columnist at the Arizona Republic (1994-2017).
Congratulations to Coach Doug Case and the Arkansas Men’s Indoor Track team on winning the National Championship! 🏆
And congratulations to Coach Cal and the Arkansas Men’s Basketball team on their Tournament Championship! 🐗🏀
Jeff Long retweeted
So excited to share our 2026 baseball preview magazine! Always one of my favorite issues of the year. @ByMattJones packed this with great insight into this year's team. Special thanks to @GabeGaeckle and @RyderHelfrick for taking time to talk and pose for photos.
Details here⬇️
The 2026 Hawgs Illustrated baseball preview issue is now available!
Details: wholehogsports.com/news/2026…
Order a copy: bit.ly/427QwZm
View digital edition (subscribers use WholeHogSports login): bit.ly/3HKXwVk
Subscribe for future issues: bit.ly/4p8ePAa
"How significant is Texas State’s future in the Pac-12 for the university’s identity? Texas State President Kelly Damphousse: 'It’s an odd thing that athletics plays such a huge role in the university's reputation, but to be honest, it’s a fact of life. And so we embrace that.'"
Jeff Long retweeted
Arkansas sweeps No. 1 Texas — the Razorbacks’ first three-game sweep of a top-ranked team since 2001.
Jeff Long retweeted
This was a good weekend
#5 Arkansas vs #1 Texas Game 3 Highlights:
youtu.be/8ajnSZv5p1k
Jeff Long retweeted
Spoke with the play-by-play voice of UT-Permian Basin about Arkansas' newest defensive lineman, Frank Mulipola, about what the Razorbacks can expect from the D2 transfer. He said Mulipola is one of his favorite players to come through the program: wholehogsports.com/news/2025…
Trenchcoat Advisors, specializes in protecting college and pro sports teams from the rising threats facing their athletes, staff, facilities, and data, contact me at
jeff@trenchcoatadvisors.com for more information. nytimes.com/athletic/6327826…
Jeff Long retweeted
Great to catch up with former Arkansas second baseman Rick Nomura at last night's game. Nomura was the first Hawaiian player on the baseball team, and on his trip back to Fayetteville, he gets to celebrate the three Hawaiians currently with the program: wholehogsports.com/news/2025…













