Under a long-term contract that is "about as exclusive
as deals get," Callaway Golf has Annika Sorenstam "under
virtual lock and key endorsement wise," according to Lynn
Henning of GOLFWEEK. As a result, following Sorenstam's win
last month at the LPGA Tour Championship, at which she used
the new Maxfli Revolution ball, "no one saw any" Maxfli
campaign mentioning Sorenstam. Under Callaway's deal with
Sorenstam "no other company is permitted" to use her name or
likeness "in any promotion." However, even without name and
likeness rights, "affiliation" opportunities exist for
companies interested in Sorenstam, and Henning mentions
shoes, gloves and balls as equipment areas "unofficially up
for bids." At the Tour Championship, in addition to playing
the Maxfli balls, Sorenstam wore Nike shoes and Callaway
gloves. Sorenstam, who previously had a ball relationship
with Titleist/Foot Joy, "has not received compensation" for
using Maxfli. IMG's player rep Mark Henning, which handles
her endorsements said, "If someone is going to compensate
her ... and not insist upon name and likeness rights, we'll
listen. At the same time, we're very cognizant of the
Callaway relationship" (GOLFWEEK, 12/6 issue).