Bucs WR Keyshawn Johnson and Titans RB Eddie George,
both members of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), "broke rank
with striking members of their union to film" TV ads for
adidas, according to Friedman & Cuneo of AD AGE. The spots,
via Leagas Delaney, S.F., part of adidas' "Training for
Sport" campaign, were produced in AZ May 9 and will air on
sports programming starting in October. adidas America
Football & Baseball Promotion Manager Robin Berry
"confirmed" that the spots were filmed, "along with another
featuring" Bucs S John Lynch. Johnson's L.A.-based agent
Jerome Stanley said while his client "supports" the SAG "in
their struggle to secure more fair wages," the filming of
the ad was "for a corporate partner that has been with
[Johnson] for his entire career. This helps him fulfill a
pre-existing contract." Friedman & Cuneo cite marketing
execs as saying that adidas' "move could put pressure on
other advertisers using" athletes as endorsers to produce
ads during the strike. Additionally, a Nike spokesperson
said regardless of the strike, "We are going ahead with our
advertising plans," and added athletes who are SAG members
"could very well be" included (AD AGE, 5/22 issue).
