Bank of America Friday announced it has reached an agreement with U.S. Soccer players Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan to serve as spokespeople for a charitable program that will play a role in this year's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The program will be introduced this summer and culminate on race day, Oct. 9 (BofA). USA TODAY's Michael McCarthy noted the deal is "among the first" for the players after the U.S. team's run to the FIFA Women's World Cup final. BofA Senior VP/Global Media Relations Joe Goode said that the deal “runs through the fall.” However, BofA is "holding open the possibility of a long-term relationship” (USATODAY.com, 7/21). The BofA deal comes after Solo and Wambach made substantial gains in the latest Davie Brown Index rankings from The Marketing Arm. The data shows that 21% of all U.S. consumers know who Solo is, comparable to former U.S. softball player Jennie Finch, Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Mavericks C Tyson Chandler and broadcaster Dick Enberg. Solo’s appeal score ranked her No. 253 out of nearly 2900 celebrities in the Index. Likewise, nearly 21% of all U.S. consumers know who Wambach is, comparable to former WNBAer Lisa Leslie, Rays DH Johnny Damon and ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. Wambach’s appeal score ranked No. 121, and her endorsement potential ranked No. 20, similar to Bobcats Owner Michael Jordan, golfer Phil Mickelson and Colts QB Peyton Manning (The Marketing Arm).
TIME TO TALK: Solo continues to make the late-night talk show rounds, appearing Thursday on TBS’ “Lopez Tonight,” and host George Lopez introduced her by saying, “My first guest led the women's national soccer team to the World Cup final. She is, without question, the hottest goalkeeper on Earth.” After sitting down on-stage, Solo told Lopez, “I was so focused on walking down these steps in these heels.” Lopez asked, “Do you wear heels a lot?” Solo: “No, I'm an athlete. I’m a soccer player. Can you tell I can't really walk?” Solo said she has “barely slept in the last three days,” so Lopez thanked her for appearing on the show. Solo: “I'm so happy to be on a late-night talk show with a host who knows soccer!” Lopez asked, “Would you ever play on a men's team?” Solo: “That's been the million dollar question lately. I wouldn't be opposed to it, let's just say that. I wouldn't be opposed to it and I think I’d be able to hang. I don't think I’d be the best goalkeeper by any means. I'm not that arrogant, not that naive. But I think I’d be able to hang.” Lopez: “I think it’d be great to see you do that.” Solo: “I also think that we should be able to go that route if we're good enough.” At the end of the interview, Lopez sat in a dunk tank wearing a suit while Solo dropped kicked soccer balls at him, dropping him in the tank of water on her fourth attempt (“Lopez Tonight,” TBS, 7/21).
