Campbell’s recently elevated Barkley from a regional to a national partner of the brandGETTY IMAGES
Giants RB Saquon Barkley is "on the verge of being the next face of the NFL," thanks to his "sideline-to-sideline smile, some aw-shucks humility not usually seen in a millennial superstar, the personality of a warm hug, and a million-dollar name," according to Ryan Dunleavy of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Barkley is "about to come bursting into your life via television, laptop, phone or tablet." He has the "potential to be the rare athlete who can reach Joe Football Fan, his spouse, kids and football-hating neighbor alike." Barkley, entering just his second NFL season, is already a "pitchman in high demand who will make millions." Last season, he had eight "exclusive-rights sponsorship deals: Nike, Panini, Campbell’s, Dunkin’, Toyota, Bose, Pepsi and Visa." Half were "typical one-year deals," and the others were multiyear deals." Since then, Barkley's agent, CAA's Ed Berry, said that he has "added Verizon and Hulu, separated from Dunkin’ and Bose, and still is in talks about renewing with Visa and Panini." Campbell’s elevated Barkley from a regional to a national partner -- a role he shares with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott -- and Pepsi is "planning a spot" co-starring Barkley and Jets S Jamal Adams. CAA handles Barkley’s marketing strategy, while Roc Nation "handles his NFL contract in a case of split business" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 9/3). Barkley was ranked recently as the fifth-most marketable player in the NFL.
