Bad Pass: Politician Using Marino In Ads Without Permission

By Rick Ellington, Staff Writer

Goldstein Campaign Using Marino’s Image Without Permission

NeoStar Sports & Entertainment President Ralph Stringer, the business manager for Pro Football HOFer Dan Marino, has sent a formal cease and desist notice to the office of Florida state Rep. Susan Goldstein regarding the use of Marino’s name and image in her re-election campaign’s radio, TV and print ads. A direct mail flyer for Goldstein recently sent out includes a picture of the two together saying Goldstein worked with Marino “to help establish guidelines for those who work with the developmentally disabled.” Both Goldstein and Marino have an autistic child. Stringer said Goldstein had never discussed with Marino his inclusion in the ads. Marino’s representation is demanding Goldstein withdraw the campaign material immediately. Stringer said, “When you look at the context of the picture in the mailing, it looks like he’s endorsing her candidacy. She does a lot of good work, but we felt we needed to stop the continuation of the mailings and the ads. It was a tough position for us. We support what she’s doing, but [Marino has] had a long-standing position of not endorsing any political candidate.” The tie to Marino still appears on Goldstein’s Web site. Calls to Goldstein’s campaign office were not returned by presstime.