Industry analysts noted that MVP.com is joining an
already crowded online sporting goods market. Reaction
follows: IDC Canada analyst Jason Worth, on Elway, Gretzky
and Jordan's new venture: "I saw (the announcement) and I
laughed. The first thing I thought of was Planet Hollywood"
(Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 12/22). The MOTLEY FOOL's Richard
McCaffery wondered, "How many autographed footballs can you
sell, and why would Sportsline.com jettison its sporting
goods unit if it's such a great business?" (MOTLEY FOOL,
12/21). Forrester Research analyst Dan O'Brien: "E-commerce
is hard. It's not about having people come for tips on
throwing a football. It's about engaging this community and
giving them reasons to come back" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL,
12/22). Global Sports CEO Michael Rubin, which handles all
the e-commerce for The Sports Authority and other retailers,
said, "What's going to be important and what the customer is
going to care about is: Can they offer me a brand that I
trust and selection that's meaningful to me? They can get
any big-name athlete they want, and it's not going to make a
difference" (DENVER POST, 12/22). But Raymond James &
Associates analyst Phil Leigh said that he sees "great
potential" for MVP.com. Leigh: "There's no reason you can't
sell tennis rackets, balls and jerseys. If Eddie Bauer can
sell sporting goods, why can't they" (FINANCIAL POST,
12/22). Amazon.com Founder & CEO Jeff Bezos: "I wouldn't
bet against Michael Jordan under any circumstances" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 12/22). The Sports Business Group's David Carter:
"When you visit that Web site and you look at the
combination of the three personalities involved, you
understand the terrific distribution channels involved in
this deal and you look at how sports has exploded on the
Internet the last couple of years, there's really nowhere
for this deal to go but up" ("Biz Buzz," CNNfn, 12/21).
