IRL: Haddad Apparel, Jones and Mitchell Sign with IMS

INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 - IMS Properties, the retail merchandising arm of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation, has signed licensing agreements with children's apparel manufacturer Haddad Apparel Group and the fashion-oriented Jones & Mitchell Sportswear, known for its innovative clothing designs targeting younger demographics. Haddad will create a line of apparel, accessories, footwear and headwear for children featuring the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indy Racing League brands, plus a number of Indy Racing League sponsors. The line will be distributed to retailers in the United States and Canada starting in fall 2000. "Haddad is thrilled about our newest brand and partner, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," said Sam Haddad, vice president of Haddad Apparel Group. "We are very excited to be a part of the Indy Racing League and its sponsors, and look forward to developing this new relationship." Jones & Mitchell will produce vintage, retro and women's Indianapolis Motor Speedway apparel. The line capitalizes on the rich history of the Speedway, built in 1909, and the Indianapolis 500, an American sports icon since its inaugural running in 1911. "Apparel with a historic tone has become extremely popular with youthful retailers, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is very fortunate in that we have one of the richest histories in American sports to draw from," said Dave Moroknek, director of licensing and consumer products for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "Our new agreements with Haddad and Jones & Mitchell will help us push the IMS and Indy Racing brands into new markets, making our products appealing to a wider range of sports fans, not just motorsports fans. "We look forward to great relationships with both companies."