Names & Faces: Top NFL Draft Prospect Works To Increase Exposure
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Heyward-Bey Trying To
Increase His Exposure |
In Baltimore, Ken Murray reports former Univ. of Maryland WR and NFL Draft prospect Darrius Heyward-Bey is "popping up in some unusual places" as part of a "marketing effort designed to enhance his image going into the NFL." Heyward-Bey is one of six prospects featured on NFL Draft Web site Imatopprospect.com, and he has recently appeared on ESPN2's "First Take" and participated in an autograph show in Chantilly, Virginia. Heyward-Bey Tuesday went to N.Y. with four other "prospective first-round picks to film a video montage" that NFL Network will air during the draft on April 25. CAA Sports agent Howard Skall, who reps Heyward-Bey, said, "Part of what we've done with Darrius is to try to increase his exposure" (Baltimore SUN, 3/26).
SWING & A MISS: In a special to GQ, Gabriel Sherman profiles former MLBer Barry Bonds and writes, "Throughout his carer, Bonds harbored a deep suspicion of traditional celebrity-endorsement deals and still bristles at the idea of collecting a fee to serve as a spokesperson for a company." A sportswear company recently offered Bonds a "six-figure contract to endorse their line," but Bonds reportedly said, "Are you kidding? I only get this little amount?" Sherman notes even if his "financial situation forced him to reconsider his distaste for being a pitchman, how many companies would want to hire Barry Bonds to be their public face, anyway?" (GQ, 4/ '09 issue).
LESS JUNIOR IN THE FUTURE? NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is currently 19th in the Sprint Cup standings with just one top-10 finish this season. ESPN the Magazine’s Ryan McGee reported Earnhardt has "gone to his handlers and he’s said, ‘It’s time to start looking at my calendar, looking at my schedule, and let’s start dialing back the things that I’m doing away from the racetrack.'" McGee: "I think a lot of focus gets drawn away because has a lot of business interests” (“NASCAR Now,” ESPN2, 3/25).
NOTES: Tennis player Serena Williams yesterday launched a "new jewelry and handbag line" for Home Shopping Network (MIAMI HERALD, 3/26)....Tennis player Andy Roddick, a Lacoste endorser, yesterday held a "brief meet and greet with fans" at a Macy's store near Miami (MIAMI HERALD, 3/26)....Ontario-based sportswear brand Dunning has signed golfer John Rollins to a sponsorship deal. Dunning also outfits golfer Zach Johnson (Dunning).
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