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Bjorg (r) Withdraws Sale Of Wimbledon
Trophies After Talking With McEnroe |
Tennis great
BJORN BORG is profiled in a sports section Cover Story by Douglas Robson of USA TODAY, who writes Borg’s life in retirement “has been more checkered than his [HOF] career. ... When his name has made headlines, it often has been for the wrong reasons.” Borg’s eponymous fashion label “hit financial difficulties and was liquidated” in ’90 before being relaunched in ’91. He has gone through two divorces, including one with Italian singer
LOREDANA BERTE, and has been involved in “an ugly custody battle with the mother of his eldest son.” In ’89, Borg suffered an “accidental drug overdose that some reports claimed was a suicide attempt.” Borg said his line of sportswear, shoes and accessories is now doing “unbelievably well” in Europe. Borg: “We started all over again because it was too infected with bad people before who were just after the money.” Robson notes Worldwide Brand Management AB licenses Borg’s name in seven European markets through the Bjorn Borg Sport collection, which features upscale clothes, footwear, bags, eyewear and fragrances. The line did over $117M in sales last year, of which Borg receives a percentage.
TROPHY CASE: In March, Borg attempted to sell his five Wimbledon championship trophies, saying that he “simply had no use for the boxed-up trophies.” However, JOHN MCENROE convinced Borg to change his mind. Borg: “I could never imagine that it would be such an unbelievable response from the whole world. I was touched that so many people around the world (were) very concerned.” He added that he would “never try to sell the trophies again” (USA TODAY, 5/25).
