Names & Faces

Arenas (r) To Be Cover Athlete For EA's "NBA Live 08"

In DC, John Mitchell reports Wizards G Gilbert Arenas will appear on the cover of EA Sports’ “NBA Live 08” videogame. Arenas was chosen over Cavaliers F LeBron James for the honor, which could be announced as soon as Saturday (WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/27).

SILVER SLUGGERS: In Memphis, Daniel Connolly reports many health care companies are “marketing to an aging American population with increasing medical needs ... [by] using athletic heroes from the past to sell products.” Baseball HOFer Willie Mays is making appearances to promote HealthSpring health insurance, while fellow HOFer Johnny Bench and golfer Jack Nicklaus promote Stryker artificial hips. Tennis player Jimmy Connors serves as spokesperson for Wright Medical Group and former Olympic Gold Medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton promotes Biomet (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/27).

FIRST BASE LINE: Phillies 1B Ryan Howard is appearing in a new national ad for Subway alongside company spokesperson Jared Fogle that will debut during Fox’ MLB coverage Saturday (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 4/27)....Upper Deck Authenticated has signed Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols to a deal that includes limited-edition autographed items available exclusively at upperdeckstore.com. A portion of the money will go towards the Pujols Family Foundation, his charitable organization that centers on people with Down Syndrome and impoverished families in the Dominican Republic (Upper Deck).