GAME, SEX, MATCH: In Ft. Lauderdale, Charles Bricker
writes on Anna Kournikova, who left IMG for Advantage
"presumably because IMG was a bit too aggressive in
marketing" her sexuality. Kournikova, asked if she wanted
Advantage to "present her more as a tennis player" and less
of an off-court personality: "I don't worry how people
represent me. I don't think about that at all. ... All I'm
thinking about is why I'm here. Why I'm here is to play
matches." Bricker: "One thing IMG did for Kournikova is
make her a battle-tested veteran of news conferences. IMG
does a superb job of equipping its clients with pap answers
and spin doctoring" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 5/28).
...WTA Tour Dir of Player Promotions Jim Fuhse, on the
organization's search for a title sponsor: "There's a bunch
of firms interested. What's taking time is that we have to
take each offer and customize it" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/28).
NAMES & FACES: Among the founding members of Tour Golf
Club, an independent marketing group of professional golfers
(See THE DAILY, 5/26), are Davis Love III, Justin Leonard,
Tom Kite, Lanny Wadkins, Steve Pate, Brad Faxon, Meg Mallon,
Danielle Ammaccapane, Lee Westwood and Butch Harmon (Tour
Golf Club)....Puma will air a :30-second TV spot featuring
NBA Rookie of the Year award winner Vince Carter during
Fox's basketball program (Puma)....In Seattle, Laura Vecsey
criticizes both Mark McGwire's "Got Milk" ad and Latrell
Sprewell's AND 1 spot and writes that "sports images in
advertising are certainly eye-opening these days." Vecsey:
"Does McGwire drink the milk before or after he pops the
steroid-producing substance androstenedione?" More Vecsey,
on the Sprewell ad, which she characterizes as "ill-
advised": "Spree's ad isn't controversial. It's just
pathetic" (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 5/28).
NOTES: PA-based U.S. Interactive launched the first e-
commerce initiative for adidas America. Warehousing and
fulfillment will be handled by Penske Logistics (U.S.
Interactive)....The MetroStars and eHola.com will provide
Internet access for Spanish and Portuguese speaking fans,
via distribution of CD ROMs and computer giveaways at
Saturday's Revolution-MetroStars game at Giants Stadium.
The back cover of the CD will feature the team (MetroStars).
