As more and more athletes go on-line and publish their
own web sites, "many potential conflicts and questions
arise," according to Bernard Warner of MEDIAWEEK. Among the
issues debated are whether sponsors will pay for an "untested
concept;" whether athletes can find the time to update their
Web sites; whether "product category endorsement
exclusivities, such as team and league image rights," will be
honored online; and whether the stars, agents, and publishers
can "divide up what little profit may be available in the
early days?" Tom Hagopian, President of Interzine
Productions: "The biggest thing about these sites is the
frequency of updates. It's not just a site that looks good;
it's the care and feeding of it." Warner notes the "buzz"
around the launch of Michael Jordan's site on SportsLine USA
in late October. SportsLine USA's Kenneth Dotson said that
Jordan's might be "the most elaborate of all sites on the
Web," and Warner adds that should Jordan's site be "a slam-
dunk with his regular sponsors, that could be the signal" to
spur sponsorships of the sites (MEDIAWEEK, 9/8 issue).
PRETTY BOYS ONLINE: Athlete Direct on AOL will feature
QB's Drew Bledsoe, Dan Marino and Troy Aikman in live chat
sessions on Wednesdays this month. Bledsoe debuts at 9:00pm
tonight, keyword "Athlete Direct" (Athlete Direct).
