Subway has signed '11 Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III to an endorsement deal in time for next week’s NFL Draft. Subway will activate with print ads in SI and USA Today. TV spots are also likely, but no shoot has been scheduled. The QSR next week will build an RGIII bust from its currently featured “Smokehouse BBQ Chicken” at a Subway store in Manhattan. Looking to generate buzz during the NFL Draft, Subway each year picks one potential top pick as its newest endorser. Over the past two years, it has aligned with Saints RB Mark Ingram and Lions DT Ndamukong Suh. Griffin is expected to be the No. 2 pick in this year's Draft. Subway Dir of Sports Marketing Paul Bamundo said he was impressed with Griffin’s multi-sport talents, which have seen him star in football and track. "He’s a unique athlete and personality, which fits well with our positioning as being different in our category," Bamundo said. CAA Sports handles Griffin's marketing, whose other deals are with adidas, Castrol Oil and EA, which is putting him on the cover of its "NCAA Football 13" release along with Pro Football HOFer Barry Sanders (Terry Lefton, THE DAILY).
TANNEHILL SIGNS WITH ADIDAS: adidas announced that it has signed NFL Draft prospect QB Ryan Tannehill to an endorsement deal. Tannehill, who is expected to be a high first-round draft pick, wore adidas apparel while playing for Texas A&M Univ., and wore adiZero cleats at his pro day. He made several appearances on ESPN shows Thursday wearing a blue adidas zip-up jacket (THE DAILY).
