Ramirez' deal was a joint effort between Wasserman and Chicago-based Barnstorm Marketing GroupJOSE RAMIREZ SALSA
Indians 3B Jose Ramirez has his own brand of salsa for sale online and in Ohio, and the name -- Jose Jose Salsa -- is "named after the chant Indians fans use in his honor," according Torrey Hart of YAHOO SPORTS. Ramirez said, “When my agent (Wasserman’s Rafa Nieves) brought the idea to me, I liked it from the start.” Hart noted the deal was a "joint effort" between Wasserman and Chicago-based Barnstorm Marketing Group, which "specializes in producing athlete and celebrity-endorsed products" -- including Indians manager Terry Francona’s red sauce. Ramirez himself was "involved in perfecting the recipe, making sure the product was something he would actually enjoy." Ramirez: “Of course I eat it, it’s the only salsa I eat. I passed it around the clubhouse too." A portion of the proceeds "go back to Cleveland causes, including the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland Baseball Federation and the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland." Meanwhile, Wasserman VP/Talent Marketing Ted Yeschin also "recently finalized a deal" for a red sauce from former NBAer Brian Scalabrine to be sold in the Boston area (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 8/15).
UNDER THE RADAR: In S.F., Ron Leuty noted A's LF Khris Davis is "on a pace to hit 40 home runs" for the third straight season, but he "isn't pulling down big numbers in the sideshow of product endorsements." That may be because Davis "apparently isn't seeking deals." A's manager Bob Melvin said, "He may be a little reluctant. He's just not the type of guy who looks for (endorsements) or embraces it" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/15).
