Marketplace Roundup

Crabtree's Agents Trying To Negotiate Endorsement Deals

Agent Mike Ornstein, who along with agent Peter Miller is handling NFL Draft prospect WR Michael Crabtree's marketing, said that he and Miller "are currently negotiating with shoe companies, trading card companies and autograph dealers" on behalf of Crabtree. Ornstein noted adidas/Reebok, Nike and Under Armour are all "interested in signing" Crabtree. Ornstein: "For Under Armour, it's more intriguing because he's really the first college star to come out having worn Under Armour shoes in school." CNBC.com's Darren Rovell noted Maximum Sports Management President Eugene Parker will negotiate Crabtree's contract (CNBC.com, 2/4).

A DEAL YOU CANNOT REFUSE: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said of the league potentially allowing advertisements on jerseys, "I suppose that on a league-wide deal if somebody came in and offered a ridiculous amount of money that I couldn't even imagine, I'd have to take it to the owners and see what their preference is." But Bettman added, "I think, for the foreseeable future, the uniforms will stay, from a commercial standpoint, the way they are" (CBC Radio, 2/4).

YOU CAN'T SEE ME: Golfer Boo Weekley has unveiled an apparel line called Firethorn by Boo Weekley, and he said of the endeavor, “I’m not the designer. I just like camouflage. They can figure out the colors that go with it. But its mossy oak print that we are doing." He noted Firethorn is the "actual company that has the shirt manufacturing stuff, but its just camouflage. Camouflage to me is really part of my whole get up. It’s just who I am. I feel natural in it” (“19th Hole,” Golf Channel, 2/4).

NOTES: Wheaties yesterday at the NBA Store in N.Y. unveiled a limited-edition commemorative box featuring Basketball HOFer Willis Reed. Wheaties traditionally honors a renowned African-American athlete during Black History Month (Wheaties)....Joe Gibbs Racing officials yesterday announced GameStop will return as a sponsor of the team's No. 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series Toyota, driven by Joey Logano for 20 races this season (SCENEDAILY.com, 2/4).