Fruit of the Loom's Pro Player licensing division last
week offered a multi-million dollar deal to outfit the
Marlins, according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. The deal
was "contingent on the Yankees making a similar on-field
move" with adidas, according to MLB and Pro Player sources.
Lefton notes his sources indicate "at least four" other MLB
teams have made inquiries to apparel and footwear companies
about possible deals. Although the interested teams were
not identified, Lefton notes the Dodgers, White Sox,
Mariners, Braves and Rockies are possibilities. The Red Sox
and Orioles are "candidates for club deals" due to their
proximity to Reebok and Fila, respectively. One MLB club
marketer: "It's kind of a free for all. No one is quite
sure what they can or can't do, but I'd have to be stupid
not to at least make a phone call to Beaverton." Regarding
the Yankees-adidas deal, Lefton notes sources say that
adidas' "long rumored" IPO may have been behind the $10M
annual deal. An MLB source said the deal "really lends more
credibility to [an adidas IPO] than probably any other team
deal" (BRANDWEEK, 3/10 issue).
