Training Company Removes Tim Tebow Images From Web Site

SPARQtraining.com Removes Images Of Tebow At Request Of Univ. Of Florida

Operators for SPARQtraining.com, a Web site promoting an “individual athletic improvement program,” removed the name and likeness of Univ. of Florida (UF) QB Tim Tebow yesterday per a request from the school, according to Dave Curtis of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. NCAA rules stipulate that current student-athletes cannot “have their names or images used to endorse or promote commercial products.” However, UF’s “proactive approach in this case likely means that neither Tebow nor the school will face any sanctions.” UF SID Steve McClain said that he “doubted Tebow had any knowledge of the Web site or his involvement.” Curtis notes all references to Tebow and two high school basketball players -- Georgetown signee Greg Monroe and Wake Forest signee Al-Farouq Aminu -- were removed around 5:00pm ET yesterday afternoon. SPARQ VP/Marketing Ken Black in an e-mail said that Tebow “appeared on the cover of his company’s magazine in the summer of 2005.” But the story and related images, which when “used for media purposes were permissible according to the NCAA, became impermissible when SPARQ used them on its site for commercial purposes” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/15). Red Sox CF Jacoby Ellsbury and NFL Draft prospect RB Darren McFadden are the only athletes on the Web site listed by name (THE DAILY).