MN-based Signature Sports Group (SSG), which represents
Casey Martin, was profiled by Jon Roe of the Minneapolis
STAR TRIBUNE. Jim Lehman, head of SSG and brother of PGA
player Tom Lehman, said that deals for Martin to endorse
clubs and a ball "will be signed shortly." Lehman said
there is interest from Clint Eastwood and Chris O'Donnell
about a possible movie and that the White House has called
about a visit with President Clinton (STAR TRIBUNE, 2/15).
NIKE BASHING: GOLFWEEK's "Forecaddie" details the
origins of Casey Martin's relationship with Nike, and how
his father, King, originally sought Nike Chair Phil Knight's
assistance in speaking to PGA Commissioner Tim Finchem about
Martin's ailment (GOLFWEEK, 2/14 issue). But in N.Y., Bob
Raissman voted Knight as his "Dweeb of the Week," for his
"blatant commercialization of Casey Martin. ... The Nike
boss again shows he will stamp his brand on anything in
order to sell product" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/15). In NJ, Mike
Celizic wrote on Nike's backing of Martin and its Olympic
apparel deal with CBS, and added that if Knight and Nike
"were the saints they want to appear to be, they would be
more concerned about making life better for the poor. ...
But they ... don't have to. Why do real good for the world
when you can buy CBS Sports? Why help kids in Newark whey
you can buy Casey Martin?" (Bergen RECORD, 2/16).
