Morris Chrobotek, the agent for Canadian sprinter Ben
Johnson, said that Johnson's "latest positive drug test,"
news of which was "leaked" early to a German news service
this week, "cost" him a $1M endorsement deal, according to
Steve Buffery of the TORONTO SUN. A "deal reached with" an
unnamed Japanese sports apparel firm on September 4 "would
have paid" Johnson "in the seven figures" whether he was
reinstated by the IAAF or not because he "had done enough to
clear his name in recent years." But Chrobotek said that
the deal, which was "to kick in on" January 1, 2000, is "now
in jeopardy" (TORONTO SUN, 11/17). Chrobotek, after the
leak of Johnson's test: "I talked to two endorsement
companies that had been willing to talk about using Ben and
they're hesitant now. Whoever leaked the confidential
information will be in front of a judge for damages." But
in Toronto, James Christie writes that there "would have to
be proof that news of Johnson's positive drug test ... did
any real damage" to Johnson "in the marketplace," as he is
"not in demand as a pitchman." A Toronto-based marketing
analyst: "I don't want to kick a guy when he's down. But
there's nothing on the horizon in the advertising for
Johnson and his image" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 11/17).
