MA-based Reebok Int'l has finalized a one-year
endorsement deal with the winner of CBS' "Survivor,"
although the company does not know which castaway will win
the $1M prize. The deal may include an appearance on a
future Reebok TV ad. The contract will commence with the
final episode of "Survivor" on August 23. Reebok is the
exclusive footwear and apparel sponsor of the show (Reebok).
ROME, ON JENNY: Gabrielle Reece, FSN's Pam Oliver and
Women's Sports Foundation Chair Donna de Varona discussed
swimmer Jenny Thompson's topless picture in SI on FSN's
"Last Word" with Jim Rome yesterday. de Varona said instead
of the topless photo of Thompson, "I would have loved to
have seen her in the [Speedo Fastskin] on the beach." Reece
agreed with de Varona, but added, "Sometimes the stories get
out there and are told through the fact that they are not
only great athletes but appealing women, so it ends up being
a double-edged sword. ... But I think it's more positive
than negative." Oliver said "there's not a thing in the
world wrong" with the picture and "sex sells in this country
whether you like that or not." Rome concluded by saying,
"Anything that gets people in the door and talking about
women's sports is a good thing" (FSN, 8/17).
MORE NAMES: Titans RB Eddie George will be featured in
CO-based Full Tilt Sports' first product/conceptual catalog,
which will include the "Flip the Switch" apparel line (Full
Tilt Sports). Meanwhile, George has become a partner in a
new sports bar that will "bear his name," set to open in
September in the Hilton Suites Nashville across from the
Gaylord Entertainment Center. George "isn't putting any
money into" the bar (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 8/18)....PPV
content company Sportscapsule has inked a four-year deal
with Fox Sports NFL analyst John Madden
(Sportscapsule)....Mariners Promotions Dir Gregg Greene said
that there "wasn't enough time" for the team to produce any
bobble-head dolls for this season, but "there are plans" for
next season. Models have been made for mascot Mariner the
Moose and P Kazuhiro Sasaki, and team officials are
"thinking about" OF Jay Buhner, OF Edgar Martinez and SS
Alex Rodriguez (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/18).
