Cowboys QB Troy Aikman has signed a three-year
endorsement deal with CoopSport Int'l, a manufacturer of
waterproof recreational sporting goods (Centerfield
Group)....The ATP Tour has extended its deal for Penn Racket
Sports to continue as its exclusive manufacturer of tennis
balls from '99-2003. Penn will increase its promotional
commitment to the ATP Tour by about 50%. In '97, sales of
the official ATP Tour ball were up 25%, making it the "third
most popular" ball in the Penn line (INTERNATIONAL TENNIS
WEEKLY, 11/2 issue)....WorldLink will represent Fox Sports
Int'l for all infomercial and direct response spot sales on
Fox Sports World Middle East (WorldLink)....U.S. National
champion swimmer Jason Lezak has signed an endorsement deal
with the Speedo division of Authentic Fitness Corp. Lezak
is represented by Premier Management Group (Authentic
Fitness)....Game publisher THQ is sponsoring this week's
Brunswick Circuit Pro Bowling Classic in Wichita, KS. THQ
receives naming rights for the event, including signage on
pin sweeps and patches on bowlers' shirts, demonstrations of
its PlayStation bowling game at the event and TV media time
(THQ)....Footwear News named Oakley the winner of its
"Footwear Launch of the Year" award. Footwear News Editor-
in-Chief Michael Atmore said that Oakley created "excellent
media attention" prior to the launch of its new sneaker and
generated "excitement" among buyers (Oakley).
