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| Smith Memorabilia Expected To Proliferate |
ESPN.com's Darren Rovell wrote that when Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith breaks Walter Payton's career rushing record, it "will trigger the largest memorabilia and collectibles sale of an active athlete in sports history." As many as 400,000 "pieces of merchandise relating to [Smith's] 'Run with History' will be produced." Cowboys VP/Merchandising Bill Priakos said that he "believes there will be a demand for the collectibles and predicts the team will sell out of the 50,000 caps within three days." Rovell noted Smith has endorsement deals with Motorola, 10-10-220, Visa, Blockbuster Video and Reebok. Motorola and 10-10-220 "plan congratulatory ads for Smith, while Wheaties will put him on cereal boxes." AMG President Werner Scott said that Smith has "received five to 10 requests for speaking engagements every day over the past two months" (ESPN.com, 10/23).
NIKE CASE: An AD AGE editorial, on Nike filing an appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a CA Supreme Court ruling that the company must stand trial for false advertising for statements defending the working conditions at its overseas factories: "The U.S. Supreme Court ... must reject the California approach as an unfair burden on speech. ... In a society where free expression and freewheeling public debate is part of our hallowed constitutional tradition, applying false advertising laws to debates over corporate policy is strong medicine. ... Although the lines are blurring, there is still a distinguishable difference between the paid-for-promotion of a corporate brand and a corporation's spokespeople offering statements to the media to explain their organization's position" (AD AGE, 10/21 issue).
NOTES: In Detroit, John Niyo writes Red Wings G Curtis Joseph, who was signed as a free agent in July, is "challenging perennial favorite" C Steve Yzerman in merchandise sales this season. Niyo: "That's good news for the Red Wings, who are the No. 1 selling NHL team when it comes to merchandise — some jerseys go for as much as $255." Brett Kurily, Owner of Detroit-based The Pointe After: "Joseph is the hottest one out there right now" (DETROIT NEWS, 10/24)....In Nashville, Larry Woody writes NASCAR "could face a backlash from sponsors if it pursues a plan to severely restrict pit passes next season." Nashville Superspeedway VP & GM Cliff Hawks: "We have to be able to accommodate requests from our title sponsors. Generally those requests are pretty reasonable. I think it would be very difficult if NASCAR were to completely take away an individual track's options in issuing passes" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 10/24).
