IMG "is in serious discussions to sign Venus and Serena
Williams to two-year representation deals," says Keven
Davis, the family's business adviser, according to Daniel
Kaplan of the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Kaplan writes that
the "two sides hope to announce a formal relationship by the
start" of the U.S. Open, which begins next Monday. Kaplan
adds that the Williams sisters are also "in advanced talks
to sign with" Hollywood Talent Agency Int'l Creative
Management, which would "line up" the sisters' TV, movie,
fashion and book deals. If the IMG deal is consummated, the
agency "would be responsible in particular for international
and non-tennis related" endorsement deals. Davis: "We want
to take advantage of Venus and Serena's international
popularity." Davis added that IMG COO Bob Kain and head of
women's tennis Stephanie Tolleson "will be responsible for
the Williams account." Kaplan writes that news of the
signing "surprised even some tennis insiders," as the
Williams sisters "have cultivated a counter-tennis culture
image" and IMG's name is "synonymous with the high-brow
tennis establishment." WTA Board Member John Korff, on the
possible IMG signing: "I am surprised they didn't go with a
Master P" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 8/23 issue).
IMG-FORCES: IMG Football President Tom Condon appeared
on ESPN's "Up Close" with Gary Miller last Friday. Condon,
on Saints RB Ricky Williams' contract, negotiated by No
Limit Sports' Leland Hardy: "I'm not particularly concerned
with who the agent is, but I was concerned that [Williams]
... signed an eight-year contract. You can only prorate the
signing bonus for seven, so I don't understand why it was
that long." Condon, on his relationship with other agents:
"I'm not ashamed to borrow good ideas from other people.
Whether its Eugene Parker, Marvin Demoff or Leigh Steinberg,
if they've done something and they've done it well, then
we're more than happy to borrow it" (ESPN, 8/20).
