The Rams' relocation to L.A. "is expected to be a boon" for the team, the NFL and RB Todd Gurley, "who already has parlayed the move into several major national marketing opportunities," according to Gary Klein of the L.A. TIMES. With Kobe Bryant now retired, Gurley "is primed to become" the city's next superstar. Roc Nation Sports, which reps Gurley, is also "poised to help him capitalize" as the Rams move "perfectly positioned the affable Gurley for major off-the-field business." Gurley has endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Carl's Jr. and Bose headphones, and he recently "filmed spots for Campbell's Chunky Soup." Klein noted Gurley's portfolio "is expanding," as the NFLPA ranked him No. 1 on its '16 "Rising 50" list. Q Scores Exec VP Henry Schafer said that the Rams' move to L.A. "will benefit Gurley, who will be surveyed by Q Scores for the first time this month." Schafer: "It's a no-brainer. He's definitely going to get more coverage." Klein noted Gurley also was "selected to be part of the NFL men's lifestyle apparel campaign." NFL Brand & Retail Development Manager Chris Terranova said Gurley was "the perfect fit." The Rams' move and Gurley's "active embrace of social media factored into the decision to include him among players in the campaign." Those are the qualities Carl's Jr. was "banking on when it selected Gurley as the focus of its campaign for its California Classic Double Cheeseburger." CKE Restaurants CMO Brad Haley said, "It made sense to take advantage of something that would create the most buzz in one of our biggest markets." Klein wrote Rams QB Jared Goff "might be the future but he has not played a down." The organization "intends to bring him along at an appropriate pace, on and off the field" (L.A. TIMES, 7/9).
