John Madden will serve as a national spokesperson for
TX-based Rent-A-Center. A campaign featuring Madden,
including TV, radio, direct mail and in-store components,
will launch in early spring (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/24)....In
Boston, Gregg Krupa profiles MIT's Laboratory for Sports
Innovation (LSI) , which "aims" to give the sports industry
"ongoing innovation through R&D." LSI Dir Kim Blair said
the "technology for automatic strike zone detection" for MLB
is possible. Blair: "We think we can do it." But Blair
wondered, "Is there a market for it? Are the players going
to like it? Would the owners like it? That's what we need
to find out" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/24)....N.Y.-based National
Media Group (NMG) has become the exclusive marketing agency
for TX-based Vector Sports Management, whose client list
includes U.S. sprinter Marion Jones. NMG will represent all
of Vector's clients in marketing endeavors (NMG)....Suzuki
has signed a three-year, multimillion dollar deal to become
the Official Motorcycle and ATV of the NHRA and its six drag
racing facilities and Safety Safari (NHRA).
CARTER TAKING IT SLOW: Vince Carter, who wore AND 1
sneakers during NBA All-Star Weekend and is currently
testing shoe brands, told THE DAILY that his agent, PMI's
Tank Black, is currently looking at possible shoe deals.
Carter terminated his shoe deal with Puma in December.
Carter added that PMI was sorting through other potential
endorsement deals and said, "I've been introduced to a lot
of people lately. ... I can say that" (THE DAILY).
