In N.Y., Susan Dominus profiles tennis player Eugenie Bouchard and notes she is a "player on the brink." Bouchard has long been "celebrated as someone expected to win Grand Slam events," though she is "still little known outside tennis circles." That does not count her native Canada, where she is the "multimillion dollar face of Coca-Cola and recognized wherever she goes." Elle Quebec put Bouchard on the "cover of its August issue." When people compare Bouchard to Maria Sharapova, usually they are "talking about her extraordinary marketing potential and not her strokes." Bouchard has "earned the nickname #selfiequeen on Twitter for the glamour shots she posts." But she is also a player whose "game is strong enough to justify a certain amount of attention from fans, advertisers and even the WTA, which has promoted her heavily" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 8/24 issue).
FAN INVESTMENT: In Pittsburgh, Michael Sanserino writes the "emergence of Fantex as a marketplace for tracking stocks in athletes has created yet another reason to tune in" to the NFL. The company is "taking reservations" for the tracking stock of Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu, which "entitles shareholders to a portion of future earnings." Shares are "available for $10 and the company will pay" Sanu $1.56M upon "completion of the IPO, meaning officials estimate he will earn" $15.6M over the remainder of his career (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/22).
CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN: In N.Y., Stephanie Smith notes Thunder G Russell Westbrook "launched his clothing and accessories line, Westbrook XO Barneys," at the store Wednesday (N.Y. POST, 8/22). Meanwhile, in London, Linda Sharkey noted David Beckham's "new underwear collection for H&M hit stores" Thursday. For the collection, Beckham has included pajama T-shirts, "bottoms and shorts, crew-neck sweatshirts and long John in cotton with wool." But for the "first time he introduces winter accessories including chunky knit cotton boot socks and beanie hats" (INDEPENDENT.co.uk, 8/21).
ACID REFLUX: In Cleveland, Janet Cho notes brothers Brandon and Jarred Smith have created Nooma, a "low-sugar, no-acid, electrolyte-replenishing alternative to more popular drinks like Gatorade." The Smiths are "offering free samples" of the drink at supermarkets, gyms, spinning and yoga studios, and athletic events. Nooma is short for "no more acid" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 8/22).
