Nike "plans to re-sign" Australian tennis player
Lleyton Hewitt to a "multi-year endorsement contract and
make him a critical element of its future global tennis
promotions," according to Daniel Kaplan of the
SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Figures "provided by several
sources" state that the deal is worth between $1.5-2M, not
including bonuses, over three to five years, which would
give Hewitt the "most lucrative shoe and apparel deal for a
tennis player this year." Kaplan: "With no homegrown tennis
stars on the horizon, Nike is hoping that the flamboyant and
suddenly successful Hewitt can be its new tennis marketing
messiah" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/10 issue). Hewitt is
currently ranked No. 6 in the ATP Champions Race.
FOR PETE'S SAKE: In Houston, David Barron writes that
Nike "struck quickly to capitalize" on Pete Sampras'
Wimbledon victory yesterday, which marked his "record-
breaking 13th Grand Slam title." Nike aired an ad featuring
former record-holder Roy Emerson a "couple of minutes after"
the match ended on NBC (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 7/10).
RAFTER'S FOX DEAL: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes on Fox
Sports Australia's endorsement of men's Wimbledon finalist
Patrick Rafter: "Isn't that nice? A major media company
hires someone it's ostensibly charged to cover as a news
subject to serve as a traveling commercial. You think Fox
would be as eager to scandalize Rafter as it is other sports
figures, politicians and celebrities?" (N.Y. POST, 7/10).
