Knicks G Jeremy Lin is “in talks on an endorsement deal" with Volvo, and an agreement “may be announced soon” for Lin to endorse the automaker in China, according to sources cited by Ying, Lin & Soshnick of BLOOMBERG NEWS. The sources added that the two sides are “in advanced negotiations after having reached a preliminary agreement.” The talks for Lin “may lead to one of his first endorsement contracts since his rise to fame last month.” The “only significant” deal he has is with Nike, signed when he entered the NBA in ‘10. Volvo is “betting Lin’s popularity may help the company make further inroads in China, the carmaker’s fastest-growing market, as it seeks to double sales to 800,000 vehicles in the 10 years to 2020” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/12). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Shirouzu & Chin cited a source as saying talks have been underway for about three weeks, with the deal including "the greater China market." Sources said that Lin is "being courted by dozens of companies but has yet to make a major nonsports endorsement." The sources also added that Lin has "struggled to capitalize on the wide range of deals at his feet ... partly because of overwhelming demand for his attention." Meanwhile, adidas is making plans to sell Lin's No. 17 jersey "across its network of 6,700 stores in China" (WSJ.com, 3/13).
