Marketplace Roundup

Burton Uniform "Raising Eyebrows"

USA TODAY's Bruce Horovitz reports the Team USA snowboarding uniform designed by Burton Snowboards is "raising eyebrows before the torch is even lit" in Vancouver. The jersey is made from "high-tech, waterproof Gore-Tex material -- but looks like a pair of ripped blue jeans and a loose flannel shirt." Burton Founder & Owner Jake Burton said, "That the outfit has created a controversy is fitting. If it's unpatriotic, you should throw everyone wearing blue jeans and flannel shirts out of the country." The company saw "sales fall double-digits last year," but its success still "is impressive." It holds "40% of the world's snowboard market," and Burton believes it "could be a $1 billion company within five years" (USA TODAY, 2/8).

CREAM OF THE CROP: YAHOO SPORTS' Marc Spears profiled CAA Sports, which reps Cavaliers F LeBron James, Heat G Dwyane Wade and Raptors F Chris Bosh, all free agents after this season. There is "no denying that CAA has become a growing power within the NBA," and the agency's "long reach in the entertainment world appeals to many of its clients, especially the bigger stars who hope to expand their portfolios outside basketball." Through CAA, Wade "renewed a deal with T-Mobile and signed one with Flip Video," while Bosh has deals with Ford Motor Company of Canada, Rogers Communication and Panini Trading Cards. Bosh said of CAA, "They have many things they can do and have a lot of outreaches in different areas" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/4).

YOU CAN CALL ME SUPERMAN: Magic C Dwight Howard said that adidas "wants to send him" to this summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa "to serve as 'a sports reporter.'" Howard: "I'm planning to go, yes. Most likely I'll be there" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/6). Meanwhile, ESPN has debuted a new "This is SportsCenter" ad featuring Howard and the network's Hannah Storm, in which Howard "dresses like Clark Kent" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/6).