Russell Athletic yesterday announced endorsement deals with Redskins WR Pierre Garcon and Saints RB Mark Ingram. Both players will be designated as Russell ambassadors and play a role in product development. They also will appear in-store and in consumer and trade advertising in addition to participating in fan meet-and-greets, social media activity and youth sports camps for the brand (Russell Athletic).
ANOTHER MAN'S SHOES: In South Florida, Craig Davis reported an announcement of Heat G Dwyane Wade’s new deal with Chinese sneaker company Li-Ning is expected tomorrow “during the Miami Heat’s exhibition tour" in China. But photos of Wade’s new signature shoe are “already popping up around the Internet after Chinese sneaker site Kenlu posted them over the weekend.” No Li-Ning branding "is visible” on the shoes (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 10/8).
BURGERS FIT FOR A KING? Burger King said that it sent a package including “a letter, three paper crowns and a $100 gift card” to Tigers 3B Miguel Cabrera after he became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown. ESPN.com's Darren Rovell noted Cabrera “does not have a fast food endorsement deal” (ESPN.com, 10/5).
OFF THE HIGH DIVE: Lafayette Savings Bank announced an endorsement deal with Gold Medal-winning U.S. diver David Boudia, who is still a student at Purdue Univ. Boudia yesterday was to "sign a four-year contract with the bank." He will appear "in the bank's print advertising and social media, and will make public appearances representing the bank, which is owned by LSB Financial Corp." Boudia is represented by PMG Sports (Lafayette JOURNAL & COURIER, 10/8).
