Marketplace Round-Up: Pete Rose Almost Endorses Sports Book

Pete Rose Opts Not To Endorse Internet Sports Book

In N.Y., Peter Lauria reported former MLBer Pete Rose was “close to signing a two-year, multimillion dollar deal this summer” to become a spokesperson for Web sports book BetUS.com. One source said, “Pete and his agent were very much in support of this but his legal team felt that if he endorsed an offshore sports book, it would put an end to any chance he has of getting into the Hall of Fame.” The endorsement deal eventually went to former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (N.Y. POST, 10/2).

SQUEEZE PLAY: In Boston, gossip columnists Fee & Raposa report Boston Mayor Tom Menino held Modell’s Sporting Goods CEO Mitch Modell “captive inside the Reebok luxury suite at Fenway Friday night and wouldn’t let him go outside to watch the game until Modell agreed to open an outlet in Downtown Crossing.” Modell said that the company is now looking at five possible locations (BOSTON HERALD, 10/3).

BICYCLE KICK: In Boston, Jose Martinez noted Boston-based Liberty Mutual bought into the Spanish professional bike team Liberty Seguros, “after investing heavily in several companies in bike-mad Spain in 2000 and finding itself with zero name recognition on the Iberian peninsula.” Liberty spokesperson Fabio Selvig said, “Within 18 months, we went from 0.4[%] name recognition to 56.6[%]” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/1). The company brought to Boston six members of the team that rode in this year’s Tour de France “for a weekend of activities.” Robert Heras, who won the Spanish Vuelta last month for a record-setting fourth time, was among the riders. The team is auctioning Heras’ bike on eBay with proceeds going to the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/1).