Hornets G Glen Rice "hopes he can shine in the playoffs
this month and become an MVP: Most Valuable Pitchman,"
according to Erik Spanberg of the BUSINESS JOURNAL OF
CHARLOTTE. Rice and his "high powered" agents, led by
F.A.M.E.'s David Falk, "hope to turn long range swishes into
bank shots, supplementing his $4 million annual salary with
a range of local and national endorsements that could boost
his income 25% or as much as $1 million, yearly." The
"boldest -- and most lucrative -- deal" for Rice begins this
month when he starts wearing basketball shoes made by
Nautica Competition Inc. Rice signed a three-year deal with
the company as its first spokesperson earlier this month.
Industry "experts" estimate the deal is worth $100,000 to
$500,000 annually. Spanberg calls the Nautica deal "the
foundation for expanding Rice's reach into the corporate
world." Falk: "This is an example of how Glen can
dramatically increase his visibility because of his All-Star
game MVP and great season he's having. This is a product
that's tailor made for him." Nautica will debut its first
basketball shoe next month, and Rice "played a large role in
its design," and will wear it throughout the playoffs. The
company will spotlight Rice in its fall print ads, which
will appear in GQ, Esquire and Sports Illustrated. Future
endorsement possibilities for Rice include "everything from
a deal with McDonald's Corp. to shooting videos to a rice
food tie-in product" (BUSINESS JOURNAL OF CHARLOTTE, 4/21).
SPECIAL DELIVERY: The marketing partnerships of Jazz F
Karl Malone was examined by Steve Luhm of the SALT LAKE
TRIBUNE. Malone has a deal with Burger King that is
"similar" to his deal with shoe manufacturer Apex in that he
received "a little cash and a lot of stock" in the company.
Malone: "Instead of cash only, there's some stock involved,
and ownership in about three new Burger Kings." Malone also
endorses Coca-Cola and Caterpillar, which makes heavy
equipment and farm machinery (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/22).
