Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez has not been ruled out as a suspect in a murder investigation, and FOXSPORTS.com's Ross Jones reported his endorsers have "let it be known" they are tracking the situation. CytoSport, the maker of Muscle Milk, "signed Hernandez before the start of the 2012 season," and currently "will not comment" on the matter. A company spokesperson said, "We will continue to monitor it closely." Hernandez also is endorsed by Puma, and a spokesperson said, "We are aware of the situation and have no comment at this time." Hernandez "just inked this deal in April and agreed to a two-year partnership" (FOXSPORTS.com, 6/20). Forbes' Darren Heitner wrote on his Twitter feed, "Pic of Aaron Hernandez in Boston Herald shows risk brands take in entering endorsement agreements."
RUNNING ON EMPTY: SI.com's Tim Layden reported Silver Medal-winning U.S. runner Leo Manzano has "no sponsors at all" 10 months after "winning a truly historic medal while running under Nike sponsorship" at the '12 London Games. It is a "cliché that Olympians will automatically cash in on their Olympic success." Some do, but "many do not." Manzano's agent Ricky Rimms last fall "entered negotiations with Nike for a new deal for Manzano," but in November they "fell through." Simms said, "Unfortunately, the market is not strong at this moment and the best offer was not meeting his expectations" (SI.com, 6/20).
BEING HEARD: The AP reported Broncos QB Peyton Manning and ESPN's Kara Lawson are "taking part in a new commercial due out nationally this fall hoping to bring awareness to Alzheimer's disease and support the Pat Summitt Foundation's push to find a cure." Lawson "filmed her scenes in the Lady Vols' locker room on the Tennessee campus Monday, while Manning shot his portion Tuesday at Neyland Stadium in the locker room" (AP, 6/19).
