Fantasy Now a Reality

DirecTV Group Inc. said it is now offering a menu of new interactive programming for its NFL Sunday Ticket service at no additional charge to customers. The El Segundo-based satellite TV provider said the new features will provide team statistics primarily for those who participate in Fantasy Football and will allow the ability to track individual player performances while viewing NFL regular season games. The new “Player Tracker” feature will allows fans to select up to nine players from around the league and track their performance throughout the day via real time on-screen alerts. According to the Fantasy Sports Trade Association’s 2005 national survey, more than 13 million adults play fantasy football. The NFL Sunday Ticket package is available for four payments of $69.99.

Southwest Buys Austin Utility Company


Southwest Water Company said it has acquired a water utility company in Austin, Texas for an undisclosed amount. The Los Angeles-based utility management and billing company said that the Austin utility serves about 400 residents on the city’s south side. Southwest owns utilities that serve more than 2 million people in California, Texas and New Mexico.

True Religion Appoints New Design Director


True Religion Apparel Inc. appointed Zihaad Wells as design director. Wells earned acclaim at the European operations of Levi Strauss & Co., where he started in 1998 and was appointed creative manager six years later. Wells holds a bachelor’s in fashion design and technology from the London College of Fashion. He is a member of the Royal Society of Arts and received the RSA Design Award in 1998. Shares of Los Angeles-based denim designer were down 2 percent to $19.23.