From an AMA Pro Racing press release:

OFFICIALLY LICENSED TEAM YAMAHA RACING GEAR NOW AVAILABLE TO AMA MOTOCROSS, SUPERBIKE FANS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio – Fans of Yamaha Racing will have a new opportunity to show their team support, thanks to a new cross-license merchandising deal announced by AMA Pro Racing, its new merchandising partner Wateree Sports Group, and Yamaha Factory Racing.

Fans can purchase Yamaha gear at AMA Superbike and Motocross events, and also online at www.amaproracing.com/speedshop. The merchandising deal with Yamaha is the latest in a series for Wateree Sports Group. The company has also recently signed AMA riders Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom to licensing deals.

For Team Yamaha, Wateree Sports Group will produce an officially licensed product and apparel line that will utilize the official logos of AMA Pro Racing and Yamaha Factory Racing.

“We are very excited to be able to include Yamaha Factory Racing as part of our new AMA Pro Racing merchandising program,” said Jeff Reeves, vice president of Wateree Sports Group. “This cross-license between Yamaha and AMA Pro Racing will allow us to offer some great new products to the Yamaha fan.”

Chris Bradley, AMA Pro Racing associate vice president of commercial development, aid, “Adding OEMs to the product mix of our official merchandise is another major step in raising the authenticity level of this program. Yamaha’s scope of participation in AMA Pro Racing’s U.S. Championships will attract significant fan interest to the new product line.”

According to Yamaha’s Licensing Manager Kim Steadman, “Wateree is the beginning of our initiative to establish core licensee partners to enhance the Yamaha brand. We are very serious about our licensing program, and we believe Wateree’s Yamaha Factory Racing/AMA Pro Racing merchandise will assist in promoting our brand to the fans at the race track.” Steadman added that in addition to Wateree Sports Group, many other licensees will be joining the Yamaha licensing program and new licensed products will be available soon.

“We are very excited about this great cross-licensing opportunity with AMA Pro Racing and Wateree Sports Group,” said Bob Starr, Yamaha’s national communications manager. “Fans will now have Yamaha Factory Racing co-branded with AMA Pro Racing fan wear available to them at selected race events.”

AMA Pro Racing, the leading sanctioning body for motorcycle sport in the U.S., has launched an officially licensed merchandise program, bringing a new level of authenticity to race fans. An official line of AMA Pro Racing products have been produced, giving race fans the opportunity to display their passion for each of the company’s U.S. Championship racing brands. The program kicked off with the announcement of a three-year licensing deal with the Rock Hill, S.C.-based Wateree Sports Group who produces an officially licensed product and apparel line for AMA Pro Racing. The lineup includes series apparel for all AMA U.S. Championships, as well as merchandise for various teams and riders.

Race fans can find the new line of official AMA Pro Racing products at multiple distribution points, including all AMA U.S. Motocross and U.S. Superbike events as well as several top AMA Flat Track Championship rounds. At the races, products will be for sale under the roof of Wateree’s newly created, 18-wheel interactive merchandise tractor-trailer. Products can also be purchased online via amaproracing.com, 1800FlatTrack.com and USMotocross.com.

Located in the heart of NASCAR country, Wateree Sports Group has extensive experience in merchandise distribution and corporate identity programs. The company’s impressive list of corporate clients includes General Mills, Sprint and Conseco Financial Services; Winston Cup drivers Kyle Petty, John Andretti, Buckshot Jones; and retired drivers and teams owners A.J. Foyt and 7-time Winston Cup Champion Richard Petty.