Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Hideo Nomo once had a half-dozen Japanese endorsement deals that brought him $500,000 to $1.5 million a year.
But with Nomo-mania now playing in Milwaukee — after flops in media capitals New York and Chicago — the hurler is left with only a Nike deal signed six years ago that expires after this season, said agent Don Nomura.
"It's not so much that he left Los Angeles," said Nomura. "It's how he does on the field."
His acrimonious departure from the Dodgers had little effect, either. Nomo demanded a trade in mid-1998 because of what he viewed as the organization's disrespect toward him.
Nomo's travels to media-market mediocrity have done wonders for his game. After starting this season poorly with the New York Mets, the 1993 Rookie of the Year was released. He signed with the Chicago Cubs, who cut him when he did not show improvement after three minor league starts.
Since arriving in Milwaukee, Nomo has displayed the form that earned him the nickname The Tornado. Nomura said Nomo has turned down a handful of endorsement offers since the beginning of this season so he could focus on regaining his touch on the mound.
"There's a perception that pitchers are available because they have four days off between starts," Nomura said. "That's the time he needs to use to get ready to perform better on the field."
Nike Inc. has a one-year option on Nomo's endorsement contract that it can choose to exercise after this season. Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer could not be reached for comment.
Nomo's departure from the Mets had a second effect. Japanese companies that bundled Nomo with former Dodgers and current Mets catcher Mike Piazza for sponsorships also stopped calling, Nomura said.
Nomura said Nomo has never had a U.S. endorsement deal, even though Chan Ho Park, a Korean and Nomo's former teammate on the Dodgers, is featured in a popular ad for Nike. Unlike Park, Nomo speaks very little English.
"It is not important," said Nomura. "It really is an extra. The market for him is really in Japan and that will be there if he does well on the field."
