The commercial prospects for New York-based NBA, NFL,
MLB, NHL, and MLS athletes was examined by Dan Wasserman in
yesterday's Newark STAR-LEDGER. Wasserman, after speaking
with sports marketers, called new Jets Coach Bill Parcells
the "most marketable local NFL figure," and "some experts"
believe Parcells "could double" his $2.4M coaching salary
through marketing deals. Wasserman sources indicated that
Parcells has "several deals ... being discussed," including
one with a local entertainment retailer and one with an
automobile dealers group. Among MLB players, Wasserman
calls the Yankees' Darryl Strawberry the "comeback marketing
story of the year," citing deals with Ritz Camera, Nike,
Oakley Sunglasses and "at least three deals in the pipeline
for sporting goods, automobiles and clothing." The Yankees'
Dwight Gooden recently signed a two-year deal with adidas
reportedly worth $131,000. Among NHL players, after the
Rangers' Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, there is a "sharp
drop off." Messier "recently renewed" his Starter deal, and
"has also inked a deal to endorse Frito Lay and Hostess
cakes of Canada." One source said a "possible" IBM deal may
be "in the works" for Gretzky (STAR-LEDGER, 3/25).
