49ers QB Colin Kaepernick’s “star is growing” as he has led his team to the NFC Championship game, but off the field he has remained low key, and that "will not be changing any time soon,” according to Darren Heitner of FORBES.com. XAM Sports Marketing & Media Relations Dir Shawn Smith, Kaepernick’s agent, said, “With Colin, in particular, we have purposefully laid low.” Kaepernick and Smith “decided to take the long-term approach and not jump into any partnerships that may include short-term gains at the potential expense of building a worthwhile long-term portfolio.” Kaepernick has a deal with Nike “to wear product on the field,” but he and Smith remain “committed to only associating Kaepernick with companies, goods and services that meet specific requirements.” Smith said, “If it’s not directly related to what he’s doing, he’s not super ambitious to be a part of it -- he has no interest in doing a big campaign or being on a big billboard.” Kaepernick and Smith will be in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII regardless of whether the 49ers make the game. Smith said that she will “wait until then to establish many relationships with corporate executives.” Kaepernick set an NFL record with 181 rushing yards for a QB in Saturday's 45-31 win of the Packers, and Smith said, “If I am counting memorabilia offers, appearances and product endorsement opportunities, I have received close to 20 offers since the Green Bay game. None have been accepted at this point.” Smith does “envision Kaepernick eventually associating with companies in particular categories, including a headphone manufacturer, men’s grooming company and an apparel entity.” Meanwhile, the website CKaepernick7.com is “currently under construction.” Smith “attempted to acquire ColinKaepernick.com, but the domain owner was asking for $17,000” (FORBES.com, 1/14).
