While Puma is set to launch a new TV spot around Serena
Williams this week, Reebok, whose five-year, multimillion-
dollar deal with older sister Venus expires in April, "is
telling" Venus that it "wants to keep her but cannot break
the bank," according to Charles Elmore of the PALM BEACH
POST, who noted that the sisters' father Richard "has made
it clear" that Venus' "price is going up." Elmore wrote
that the Williams "camp has not failed to notice" the $3M a
year adidas is "said to be paying" Anna Kournikova and that
Venus' "asking price is believed to be more than" that.
Richard "declined" to discuss endorsement negotiations
between Venus and Reebok, and a Reebok exec said that "no
agreement was completed, but the company was hopeful." Nike
spokesperson Don Campbell said that it is "not likely" that
his company will pursue "either or both sisters," and
Elmore wrote that "two explanations going around" as to why
Nike will not attempt to sign Venus and/or Serena are that
Richard "felt Nike wasn't enthusiastic or creative enough
early in the sisters' careers," and that Nike "does not
really think the sisters have a crossover appeal or the
magnitude of celebrity-athletes already in the company's
stable." Williams family attorney Kevin Davis said that the
two sisters will "continue to pursue some package deals,"
but will "negotiate separately when it makes sense." In
comparing the two, CBS Sports VP/Programming Rob Correa said
Serena may be "a little more TV friendly" than Venus, while
Puma CMO Amber Fredman said Serena "comes across a little
warmer, a little softer" (PALM BEACH POST, 10/10).
