WNBA Sparks F Candace Parker, also a member of the '12 U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team, is close to signing with Wasserman Media Group for marketing and all off-court endeavors, according to DC-based Sports Int'l Group Founder & CEO Boris Lelchitski, whose agency recently signed Parker for on-court contractual work. He negotiated for her a three-year deal to remain with the Sparks and a one-year deal for her to continue to play with UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia in the WNBA offseason. Parker has been with the Sparks since being drafted No. 1 overall in '08. Lelchitski said Parker has a verbal agreement to be represented by Wasserman agent Lee Melchionni, who also represents Parker’s husband, Nets F Shelden Williams. Lelchitski said, “I am not sure she is physically signed, (but) if she hasn’t physically signed, she will, because that is what she agreed to.” Parker has previously been represented by Goodwin Sports agent Aaron Goodwin, but she recently terminated her deal with him. Lelchitski, who represents 35 WNBAers and negotiates their league deals as well as their more-lucrative European deals, acted as a consultant to Goodwin for Parker’s European player contract. Asked why she terminated her deal with Goodwin Sports, Lelchitski said, “You would have to ask her.” Parker could not be reached for comment. Goodwin did not return a phone call. Wasserman officials also did not return a phone call. Lelchitski noted that among Parker's sponsorships are adidas and Gatorade, both of which run through the end of this year.
