Jockey Thursday launched “the $1 Million Super Challenge sweepstakes,” betting that the Broncos and brand endorser, QB Tim Tebow, “will win the Super Bowl,” according to Rich Rovito of the MILWAUKEE BUSINESS JOURNAL. If the Broncos win the Super Bowl on Feb. 5, Jockey "will give away $1 million worth of Jockey products spread among 40,000 fans.” In addition, one person “will win $15,000 in honor of Tebow’s jersey number.” All customers “who make a purchase on Jockey.com will automatically be entered for a chance to win,” but consumers “can also enter without a purchase by registering at Jockey.com/Tebow.” The contest “will run through Super Bowl Sunday, or for as long as Tebow and his teammates are eligible to win the championship.” In honor of Tebow’s weekly performance, Jockey “will be offering special weekly football-related discounts and promotions on all Jockey online merchandise” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/15). YAHOO SPORTS' Chris Chase wrote it is “a pretty solid publicity stunt, though you'd think Jockey could have thrown in a meet-and-greet with the man himself” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/15). ESPN’s “PTI” opened the show Thursday with comments on Jockey’s promotion, with ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser said, “One more reason to cheer for Tim Tebow: Free underpants!” ("PTI," ESPN, 12/15).
STICKER SHOCK: Fathead VP/PR Brian Stevenson said that Tebow is "on pace to have the fastest-selling week of sales in Fathead history." There are three Tebow versions "in the Top 10 this week" on Fathead.com -- one depicting Tebow kneeling down on one knee, or "Tebowing," ranks first, with Tebow "in running mode at No. 2 and Tebow in passing mode at No. 10" (HARTFORD COURANT, 12/16). CNBC's Darren Rovell Thursday reported Fathead "has sold over $50,000 worth of Tebow fatheads in the last 2 days" (TWITTER.com, 12/15).
SIGN HERE, PLEASE: CNBC’s Rovell wrote the company that has “likely reaped the most cash from Tebow's success" is Florida-based memorabilia company Palm Beach Autographs, which has the “exclusive autograph rights to Tebow for a year." When Tebow did a signing Tuesday, “as he does once a month, all items were sold out a week before and the prices have understandably gone up.” Of the few items that are available, “Tebow autographed Broncos photos now sell for $250,” up from $160 last year. Company Owner Steve Dodson said that “about 80 percent of the sales last year were Gators-related, while 20 percent of the sales featured Tebow's autographs on Broncos items.” Dodson added that he is now selling “as much to Broncos fans as Gators fans and the company's online orders are coming in from all over the world” (CNBC.com, 12/14).
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL: In Grand Rapids, Shandra Martinez noted Christian book publisher Zondervan is “betting the young reader's version of Tim Tebow's bestselling memoir ‘Through My Eyes: A Quarterback’s Journey’ will be just as successful as the adult version.” The book “is back on the New York Times Bestseller List after a previous 13 consecutive week run.” Zondervan's youth reader version “which is now on store shelves is geared to youth 7 and up” (MLIVE.com, 12/15).
ALL TEBOW, ALL THE TIME: NBC’s Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth appeared together on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” Thursday night and discussed Tebow mania. Michaels said, “It’s a phenomenon. ... He's the biggest story in the National Football League at this moment, no question” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 12/15). Tebow has dominated the ESPN airwaves Thursday, including taking up nearly 17 minutes of coverage on "NFL Live." “Numbers Never Lie” featured three Tebow-related segments, SI.com’s Chris Mannix discussed Tebow on “Jim Rome Is Burning,” “SportsNation” discussed Tebow in the third report and had a total of five Tebow-related segments, while ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski was the guest on "PTI" and talked about Tebow. The Tebow craze also has jumped into the morning talk show circuit, with Friday's episode of “GMA” including a discussion about Sunday’s Patriots-Broncos game and author Bill Bennett appearing on CBS’ “The Early Show” to talk about Tebow being a good role model and his faith (THE DAILY).
IS THIS HEAVEN? NO, IT'S IOWA: Tebow has even drawn the attention of politicians, as Texas Gov. Rick Perry in Thursday night's Republican Presidential primary debate said, "I am ready to be the Tim Tebow of the Iowa caucuses." Perry, who has been trailing in the polls of late, referred to the Broncos QB's penchant for late-game comebacks this season (Fox News, 12/15).
