Manning's New Contract Reportedly Held Up By Marketing Clause

Manning's Endorsement With Citizen In Conflict With Giants' Timex Sponsorship

The delay in finalizing Giants QB Eli Manning's new 6-year, $97.5M contract arose because the Giants "hope to secure a right of first refusal on behalf of the franchise's sponsors," according to an NFL source cited by Mike Florio of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. That would allow the team to pull Manning "within the scope of the advertising deals that the team has struck." However, a "potential conflict" exists between Manning's personal sponsorship with watchmaker Citizen and the Giants' deal with Timex. Florio noted this "issue last arose for a high-profile player in 2005, when a desire by the Browns generally to secure a right of first refusal" for WR Braylon Edwards' marketing opportunities delayed the club from signing Edwards. The Browns eventually relented and the two sides agreed to a deal (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 8/11). In N.Y., Ralph Vacchiano cited a source as saying that the holdup "is not that specific -- it isn’t Timex vs. Citizen, in other words." However, two other sources "confirmed that 'marketing language' is the primary holdup, though its hardly considered a major snag" (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 8/11).