Quarterback Club: Manning, Leinart Scoring With Endorsements

Gatorade One Of Many Deals In Manning’s Endorsement Portfolio

Former NFL QB Archie Manning “stopped short of saying his son [Colts QB Peyton Manning] is overexposed but added that he ‘may back off a little bit’ in the future” from adding to his endorsement portfolio, according to Mark Alesia of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Archie: “This might sound self-serving, but he’s turned down some very lucrative things.” Manning has deals with MasterCard, Sony, Sprint, ESPN, DirecTV, Marsh and Bob Estes Automotive Group, among others, and Alesia cited an SI report that said Manning is earning an estimated $11.5M in endorsements this year, ranking him first in the NFL and ninth among active U.S. sports figures. MasterCard VP/U.S. Brand Development Chris Jogis said that the company “had no concern that Manning was being spread so thin that it would detract from his endorsing effectiveness.” Jogis: “The way we use him and tap into his personality alleviates any concerns [about overexposure]” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/22).

RISING IN PHOENIX: The PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL’s Chris Casacchia notes Cardinals QB Matt Leinart has “multimillion-dollar contracts” with Nike and Hawaii-based sports memorabilia firm GTSM, as well as local deals with Qwest Communications, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union and the Room Store. He has also started his own marketing firm, MSL Inc., in Orange County, California. Leinart appears on KTAR-AM on Friday mornings and later in the afternoon hosts “The Matt Leinart Show” on ESPN Radio 860 Phoenix. He also makes appearances “at local schools, community groups and charitable causes.” Leinart’s rep Chuck Price said the Phoenix area will be “an incredible market for Matt” (PHOENIX BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/20 issue).

SHOCKLEY: The ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE’s Erin Moriarty reports Falcons QB D.J. Shockley signed a deal with Dallas-based MetroPCS Communications. Shockley will promote the MetroPCS brand with in-store appearances, as well as print, radio and online ads. Shockley, who played at the Univ. of Georgia, also has a deal with Florida-based Rooms To Go and appears in print ads in Atlanta for the company (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 10/20 issue).