Reebok will announce that the company has completed a multi-
year, multi-million dollar deal with 14-year old tennis player
Venus Williams, according to the Charles Bricker of the Fort
Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL. Williams will join other Reebok clients
Michael Chang, Todd Martin and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in making
appearances, TV spots and magazine ads for the company. This is
Williams' "first big money contract and illustrates how much
confidence the shoe and clothing manufacturer has in her future."
Williams is scheduled to play three WTA events this year, but no
Grand Slam tournaments. There is "also an added bonus for
Reebok, if this relationship works out." Venus' sister, Serena,
who is 13 years old and also has strong professional potential,
"could be the second part of the equation in the next few years.
The commerical possiblities of the Williams sisters is a
marketing person's dream." Although several agencies have
pursued Williams, Bricker writes that "it is believed that Venus
and her father Richard Williams, have decided they do not need an
IMG, Pro-Serv or any other agency" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL,
5/21).
