WOMEN'S TENNIS: Lindsay Davenport is "emerging from the
endorsement shadows of her flashier foes," as she has
"recently copped a multi-year" deal with Nabisco, according
to Andrea Leand of TENNIS, who notes that Davenport's other
endorsements include AmEx, Nike and Wilson (TENNIS, 12/99).
...The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Daniel Kaplan reports that
Nike has signed Alexandra Stevenson to a "multiyear
contract," marking the player's "first major endorsement
deal." Stevenson's agent, IMG's Carlos Fleming, did not
disclose terms of the deal, but said Nike has "made a
significant investment in Alexandra's future, both on and
off the court" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/13 issue).
NO NORTHERN EXPOSURE? Nets G Stephon Marbury told Sport
the reasons he decided to leave the T'Wolves: "It was at the
point where I wasn't getting any endorsements, and I
couldn't deal with it. I used to ask [T'Wolves VP Kevin]
McHale, 'Man, how come we ain't never on national TV?" He'd
say, 'Well, we've got to win.' Then we won and we still
weren't on TV. I want that exposure. I want to play where
the rewards are" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 12/12).
CALLAWAY BEEMS UP: Rookie PGA Tour pro Rich Beem has
signed a deal through 2001 with Callaway Golf and will play
the company's irons and woods, as well as its Odyssey brand
putter. Beem will also wear a Callaway hat and carry an
Odyssey bag (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/13 issue).
