WTA Tour players, "with a blend of talent, verve and
sassiness, ... have edged ahead of the men in charisma and
public appeal," and now corporations "no longer hesitate" to
sign them as spokespeople, according to Doug Smith of USA
TODAY, who writes under the sub-head, "Top female stars earn
big bucks off court." WTA Tour CEO Bart McGuire said sell-
outs at the WWC and WNBA All-Star Game are "beginning to
lead people who know something about sports and sports
marketing to say, 'Wait a minute, we shouldn't be surprised
anymore.'" Smith writes that Anna Kournikova, who "leads
the tour in off-court earnings," currently has deals with
adidas (apparel), Yonex (racquet), Berlei (sports bra),
video-game maker Namco and financial consultant Charles
Schwab worth "more than" $10M annually. Kevan Davis,
attorney for Venus and Serena Williams, said that the
sisters "have the qualities that endorsers like." Davis:
"Venus has signed with American Express, Wilson (racquets)
and a milk ad within the last three months. There are
several other deals that will be done by the end of the
year" (USA TODAY, 8/27). BLOOMBERG's Dan Bollerman writes
that the Williams' deal with Wilson is a "multiyear
agreement." Terms were not disclosed, but it's the first
racquet endorsement for the Williams' (BLOOMBERG, 8/27).
