Fenway Sports Management co-Managing Dir Mark Lev said that the company plans to expand Heat F LeBron James’ “off-the-court business with them with technology, auto [and] E-commerce companies." Lev said, “LeBron’s popularity is at an unprecedented level and in particular we are seeing this reflected in more interest from U.S. multinational companies and companies outside the U.S. The (NBA) title and Olympics have opened the door more widely for business opportunities in the international market.” Lev added that the deals could include arrangements where James “gets an equity stake in a company” (FORBES.com, 6/27).
MISSING THE MARK: In N.Y., Claire Atkinson notes with U.S. Olympic Gold Medal-winning decathlete Bryan Clay failing to qualify for the London Games, many corporate sponsors that had campaigns built around him “were left scrambling to retool their marketing plans.” Clay's sponsors include Visa, BP, Zico Coconut Water and Polo Ralph Lauren, and Clay’s agent Jeremy Snyder said that “about half of Clay’s deals included TV ad campaigns.” Snyder: “He will continue to appear in TV ads for BMW and BP” (N.Y. POST, 6/28).
STRATEGIC PLANNING: Patrick Cantlay, the former top-ranked amateur golfer who turned pro last week, has signed a multiyear endorsement deal with MicroStrategy, a software firm, the company announced late yesterday. Under the terms of the deal, Cantlay will represent MicroStrategy in marketing and customer activities, and will wear MicroStrategy logos on the front of his headwear and apparel during all professional tournament play and appearances (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal).
REACTION RAISES AN EYEBROW: While former Kentucky C Anthony Davis, the likely No. 1 pick in tonight's NBA Draft, has trademarked several phrases associated with his unibrow, ESPN's Michael Wilbon called the move "worse than misguided.” Wilbon: “To all the people around Anthony Davis, stop with the marketing! Let the kid play basketball. ... Stop marketing and learn your craft.” Wilbon added, “People put marketing ahead of everything when they get around these players and they’re whispering in their ear” (“PTI,” ESPN, 6/27).
