Names & Faces: Kobe Talks About Launch Of His Newest Nike Shoe

Nike Is Launching The Zoom Kobe V In China January 1 And In U.S. January 16

CNBC.com's Darren Rovell noted Nike is launching the latest edition of its "low-cut shoe" for Lakers G Kobe Bryant, the Zoom Kobe V, in China on January 1 and the U.S. on January 16. Rovell wrote Nike "has to love" the shoe because the low tops are "performance shoes but they are also more in line with fashion these days." Bryant: "It’s just one of those things that worked out. You go back to the Air Force 1’s. That was a performance shoe, but it also became a lifestyle shoe. The same holds true for the Zoom Kobe IV’s and V’s." Meanwhile, Nike's ad campaign featuring puppets of Bryant and Cavaliers F LeBron James are returning for another year, Bryant's puppet "looks different" than last season. Bryant joked, "I think they're just making sure he looks like he's 31" (CNBC.com, 12/9).

GO, SPEED RACER: Driver Danica Patrick’s score on the Davie Brown Index, which evaluates celebrities across several attributes, places her third among current NASCAR drivers. Patrick’s 64.04 score falls short only of Jeff Gordon (74.39) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (73.39), and far surpasses that of four-time defending Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson (45.11). The DBI data indicates that Patrick’s appeal is tops among all NASCAR drivers, as is her overall influence on consumers (THE DAILY). In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin said of Go Daddy, Patrick's primary sponsor in both the Izod IndyCar and NASCAR Nationwide series, "I find a lot of people turned off by GoDaddy and its often-silly TV ads. Personally, I don't understand them, and I don't think it's a stretch to say Danica was showcased better with Motorola" (INDYSTAR.com, 12/9).

WINTER WONDERLAND: The AP's Fendrich & Graham noted U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn is a "big deal in Europe" due to her success on the slopes, her "squeaky-clean image, and because she wholeheartedly embraces the notion of being a role model." But there are "those who hope -- and believe -- Vonn is capable of raising skiing's profile on this side of the world." U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO Bill Marolt: "She's the ideal package." Vonn's appeal is why she "will be featured prominently in TV and Web ads in the run-up" to February's Vancouver Games, and why she has sponsors, including Red Bill and Procter & Gamble (AP, 12/8).

ON THE CATWALK: Bills WR Terrell Owens has signed a deal with Wilhelmina Models. The firm, which described the partnership as "a natural one given Owens' popularity," will represent Owens in "seeking endorsements and sponsorship deals in personal care and fashion industries." Owens noted Wilhelmina approached him about the partnership and said, "I'm always putting my hands in and feeding into something. When you've got some good looks like myself, you've got to take full advantage of it" (AP, 12/9).

TAG-TEAM: The NLL Edmonton Rush have signed a partnership with MMA fighter Randy Couture that will see him "make some trips to Edmonton and on road games at times over the regular season." Couture's "Extreme Couture" will be "brandished on the Rush's game shorts," while Couture will "sport the Rush logo on his ring attire in upcoming fights." The partnership got "underway this week in Vegas, where a couple of Rush members began a series of training sessions" with Couture (EDMONTON SUN, 12/9).