"Don't expect a repeat of the days" when Mike Tyson drew $2M
a year to plug Pepsi, writes BUSINESS WEEK's David Greising.
With his recent win over Peter McNeeley, Tyson could be worth $8M
a year in endorsements "were it not for his baggage. And some
marketers say there may be companies that want to woo Iron Mike."
Lesa Ukman, editor of IEG Sponsorship Report: "They'd have to be
willing to write off the mainstream." But Greising notes, "So
far, nobody's ready to take that punch" (BUSINESS WEEK, 9/4
issue)....The official U.S. Open T-shirt was featured in
yesterday's N.Y. TIMES. The design -- "a multicolor logo with a
hint of the Manhattan skyline on a white cotton background" -- is
new. (N.Y. TIMES, 8/27)....With sales of German beer going
"flat," some are adopting new strategies. Bitburger is looking
for a "wider following by sponsoring Formula One racing"
(BUSINESS WEEK, 9/4 issue)....The proposed FDA regulations
limiting the tobacco industry's advertising and their effect on
professional sports is examined in two pieces in the ORLANDO
SENTINEL. Although disruptive to NASCAR and Pro Rodeo, the
regulations would have very little effect on other pro sports.
AFL Orlando Predators' Kevin Rinker: "It'd be a lost opportunity
for us but it wouldn't be catastrophic" (ORLANDO SENTINEL,
8/27)....The CBA's Chicago Rockers will unveil a marketing
program today that includes a new team logo and advertising from
Foote, Cone & Belding. Their ads will have a tagline of "Pro
Hoops. In. Your. Face." FCB has also been retained by the CBA
as a league-wide marketing consultant (George Lazarus, CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 8/27)....The Bucks, Sprite and Kmart have joined to
provide 40 new backboards with Sprite graphics for city
playgrounds (Bucks)....Denver men's clothier, Andrisen Morton,
has signed Broncos QB John Elway to model clothing in local
newspapers, Sports Illustrated and Esquire. Elway joins Univ./CO
coach Rick Neuheisel and Broncos coach Mike Shanahan with
sponsorship deals (DENVER POST, 8/28).
