Coca-Cola "struck back" at Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones' $40M
marketing deal with Pepsi by signing QB Troy Aikman to a multi-
year, exclusive deal that will have Aikman "hawking" Coca-Cola in
local TV, print and radio ads, according to Richard Alm of the
DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Aikman's image will also appear in in-store
displays and commemorative packaging, including his photo on a
special 12-oz can. Coca-Cola Division VP/GM Guy Thomas: "We can
utilize Troy Aikman in his uniform. No one else can do that."
Jones was not upset over Aikman's deal, and took the chance to
hit the the NFL again over "marketing independence." Jones: "I
think Troy can make the best decisions for Troy, rather than have
somebody else make those decisions for him, just as I feel I can
make the best decision for our team, rather than have somebody
else make them" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/13). A Coca-Cola
spokesperson confirmed the company is in negotiations with
another Cowboy player, but wouldn't say who that was (Chris
Roush, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/12).
UNION IS WATCHING: The NFLPA is closely monitoring the
Jones/Pepsi deal, according to Will McDonough of the BOSTON
GLOBE. Through the CBA, the players are entitled to 63% of the
league's designated gross revenues, so if Jones' Pepsi deal has a
"negative" effect on the players' share of NFL Properties' deal
with Coca-Cola, the NFLPA will "be after" Jones. NFLPA Asst Exec
Dir Doug Allen: "If we feel this deal Jerry made with Pepsi
injures Properties, hurting us at the same time, we are going to
react" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/13). DOUBLE STANDARD? Patriots Owner
Robert Kraft recently made a deal with Pepsi for pouring rights
at Foxboro Stadium, but it has gone largely unnoticed, according
to Kevin Mannix of the BOSTON HERALD. Vikings President/NFL
Properties Chair Roger Headrick said if the deal "is strictly for
Pepsi to supply soft drinks at the games, the league would have
no objection." Headrick: "Jerry was talking about wearing the
Pepsi logo on his boots and having the logo on the field at
positions were they'd be shown on television." Headrick pointed
out that "one of his biggest objections" was that Jones is
"flaunting" his deal to the "detriment of the rest of the
league." One problem for the Pats could be a "large revolving
Pepsi sign" near the scoreboard that could appear on TV. Mannix:
"That would cause problems for the league" (BOSTON HERALD, 8/13).
