Twins C Joe Mauer Signs With IMG For Marketing Representation

IMG Dir Of Talent Marketing Alan Zucker Will Represent Joe Mauer Off The Field

Twins C Joe Mauer, who today was named the AL MVP, has signed with IMG for "marketing representation," according to Liz Mullen of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Mauer "will continue to be represented by agent Ron Shapiro for on-the-field work," while IMG Dir of Talent Marketing Alan Zucker "will represent Mauer off the field." Zucker said Mauer is the "best young talented baseball player in the league, and his upside is limitless, due to his play on the field and his charismatic personality off the field." Zucker added, "This is not a signal that IMG is getting into the team sports contract business, but as a sales and marketing firm, we will continue to represent iconic talent from the sports world, including team sports athletes." Mauer "counts Nike, Rawlings and Qwest Communications, with whom he has a regional deal, as sponsors," and Zucker indicated that he "plans to begin renewal talks with those companies soon." Zucker "acknowledged that he has had discussions with Gatorade about a partnership, but said no endorsement deal has been signed." Zucker said that he is "targeting the categories of beverage, personal care products, credit card, banking and other consumer products." Mullen notes the signing of Mauer comes a few weeks after IMG also signed Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin for marketing representation (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/23 issue).