ESPN.com’s Bill Speros noted 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's online and social media presence “has surged this season along with the San Francisco 49ers' success on the field.” Kaepernick this week “will launch his new website: Kaepernick7.com.” X-A-M Sports PR & Marketing Dir Shawn Smith, his agent, said, “We expect to have at least the homepage up sometime in the next day or two." Speros wrote the timing is “nearly perfect,” as the 49ers play the Falcons on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. But this latest surge in Kaepernick's digital popularity “did not faze his family or his PR and marketing team.” Speros noted Sammy, Kaepernick's pet tortoise, has a Twitter account with more than 1,100 followers. That is "just another way for Kaepernick's team to reach out to fans” (ESPN.com, 1/15).
OUT OF THE COURT: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER’s Eriq Gardner reported Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall's $1M lawsuit against Hanesbrands “for canceling his lucrative endorsement deal has been cut short.” The parties yesterday “filed a notice of voluntary dismissal after coming to a settlement.” Mendenhall’s contract to endorse Champion sporting gear “was terminated after the outspoken player tweeted about the 9/11 terrorist attacks.” Mendenhall presented his case “as defending the First Amendment right for celebrities to say controversial things” (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/15).
ROUNDUP: Pro Football HOFer Marshall Faulk, who is “one of the best celebrity golfers you’ll find on any green, is teaming” with Arnold Palmer to shoot a series of videos for EA Sports’ upcoming “Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14.” The game features Palmer “on the cover and Faulk as a playable character” (ESPN.com, 1/14)….Maverik Lacrosse signed a sponsorship deal with MLL N.Y. Lizards D C.J. Costabile (Maverik).
