COKE IS IT? Sammy Sosa's agent, Adam Katz, says Sosa
will earn "about" $250,000 in endorsements this year,
through deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, Rawlings and McDonald's.
Katz said Sosa's "most lucrative deal" is a Coke promo that
runs in the Caribbean, Central America and South America
(WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/21)....Attorney's for PepsiCo argued
Thursday that Coca-Cola's "classic monopolistic behavior"
has effectively locked out its beverages from the U.S.
fountain soft drink market. Pepsi is seeking unspecified
monetary damages, plus a restraining order to stop Coke from
barring independent food service distributors from
delivering Pepsi products if they also carry Coke brands. A
decision "is expected soon" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/21).
NOTES: Shaquille O'Neal, on his split with Reebok: "I
really don't think it was my fault. I think I'm an easy
person to market. I have a nice smile. I'm a funny type
guy. ... I think I'm a very marketable guy, but if they want
to say it's my fault, no problem." O'Neal: "Next year, I'm
gonna start my own shoe line. I've already got the best
designers and the best marketing group in the world lined
up" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 8/21)....To commemorate the
30th anniversary of Arthur Ashe's U.S. Open victory, le coq
sportif is re-introducing the shoe Ashe wore during his
playing days, calling it The Ashe Cup (N.Y. POST, 8/21).
...NCAA partner GTE Corp. kicked off its GTE/NCAA Season of
Champions promo, which offers fans four grand prizes,
including a one-year $25,000 college scholarship (GTE).
