VALENTINE A MARKETING DARLING? WELL...: In N.Y., Peter
Grant reports that Yankees manager Joe Torre reportedly
"rakes in more than" $1M a year in endorsement deals.
Torre's marketing agent Maury Gostfrand: "He's a real guy
that comes through whether you're a fan or not." Meanwhile,
"sports marketing experts estimate" that Mets manager Bobby
Valentine "makes a fraction of what Torre earns."
Valentine's primary endorsement deal, which is with L.I.-
based computer consulting firm Manchester Equipment, earns
him an estimated $100,000 per year. Valentine's "only big TV
spot" is one by Continental Airlines "in which he shares the
limelight with ... Torre." SFX Entertainment Talent Manager
Steve Rosner: "There's no question that Torre has the upper
hand in the marketing battle" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/19).
WATCH AND LEARN: The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Daniel
Kaplan reports that Lindsay Davenport "has agreed to endorse
Rolex watches." Her contract with Rolex is multiyear and
the company plans an "aggressive ad campaign" featuring
Davenport (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/18 issue).
NOTES: NFL players will team up with local United Way
agencies today for Hometown Huddles, a national day of
hands-on community projects. USA TODAY lists a team-by-team
breakdown of the various projects scheduled and players
likely to attend (USA TODAY, 10/19)....The Southland
Conference has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with
Delta Air Lines that makes Delta the official airline of the
conference and nine of its member schools (Southland)....The
PGA Tour's Las Vegas Invit'l used FL-based Technology@Work's
SportsCash last weekend, an event debit card. SportsCash
has been used at "about" 18 PGA Tour events and the Jaguars
use a version of the card (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/16).
