News Briefs

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: the carton character known for his bright yellow hue, is going pink in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer, according to The New York Post. Sales of the SpongeBob PinkPants Beanie Baby will be donated to cancer charities next week as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The pink-color Beanie Babies will go on sale next month at most retailers and via Nick.com, Nickelodeon’s Web site.

MASTERCARD WORLDWIDE: has extended its sponsorship agreement with Major League Baseball through 2010. The deal, announced yesterday, includes all 17 MLB clubs. A sponsor since 1997, MasterCard has begun introducing to MLB ballparks its PayPass, a new “contactless” payment option giving fans the chance to pay for their purchases under $25 with a simple tap of their PayPass-enabled card or device on specially equipped merchant terminals.