Rich Beem, the underdog winner of the PGA Championship last month, has signed his first endorsement deal since his surprise victory, said Tim McNulty, his agent.
Beem signed a multiyear apparel deal with Ashworth Inc., said McNulty, a player manager at Gaylord Sports Management. McNulty declined to reveal the financial terms or other details of the deal.
"He didn't have an official apparel relationship, and the support that Ashworth is going to provide Rich as it relates to his marketing is very valuable," McNulty said.
McNulty said he has been fielding inquiries about Beem since the PGA Championship but would not identify the companies.
"Our marketing strategy has shifted due to the increased level of interest on his behalf in the marketplace," McNulty said. "We are in the process of evaluating all of our options."
CARR DOES BOBBLEHEAD DEAL: Houston Texans rookie quarterback David Carr has signed a deal to allow McDonald's in the Houston area to sell bobblehead dolls in his image, said Jeff Sperbeck, Carr's marketing agent.
Carr's bobblehead will wear "kind of a football uniform," but not a Texans uniform because the company does not have an agreement with the team, Sperbeck said.
Carr, the No. 1 pick in the 2002 draft, has spent most of his time focusing on his new role as starting quarterback for the Texans and has not had a lot of time for endorsement deals, Sperbeck said. His only other deal is with Nike.
Sperbeck and Octagon marketing specialist Patrick McGee worked on the bobblehead deal.
HOCKEY AGENTS FORMING GROUP: A group of prominent hockey agents is forming an association to help get group rates for insurance and travel as well as to try to improve overall working conditions, said Lewis Gross, one of the agents leading the effort.
Gross said the new group's purpose is not — as has been reported — to put pressure on Bob Goodenow, the NHL Players' Association's executive director.
"We are solidly behind Bob," Gross said. "This has nothing to do with collective-bargaining negotiations. We are behind him 100 percent. It's to create a better environment for agents to work in."
NHL agent Rich Winter echoed Gross' comments about the new association. "We agreed as a group that we are going to organize for group benefits," he said. "Everyone who has a player is invited to join."
ACES TO REPRESENT GIBBONS: Athletes Career Enhanced & Secured Inc. has signed Baltimore Orioles first baseman and outfielder Jay Gibbons for representation.
Sam and Seth Levinson, two brothers and agents who own the firm, also known as ACES Inc., will represent Gibbons.
PEGASUS SIGNS MILLER FOR MARKETING: The Pegasus Agency
has signed Cleveland Browns linebacker
Jamir Miller for marketing, endorsements, licensing, appearance, television, literary and multimedia opportunities.
Mike Bruno will serve as Miller's marketing agent.
GAYLORD TO MANAGE WILLIAMSON: Gaylord Sports Management, a management firm specializing in golf, has signed Lee Williamson, an All-American from Purdue who recently turned pro.
Williamson, who has signed a ball, shoe and glove deal with Titleist, will be represented by Gaylord player manager Brian Newton.
CSMG SIGNS BENEDETTI: CSMG Sports signed University of Florida All-American golfer Camilo Benedetti for representation.
Benedetti, who was the runner-up at the 2001 NCAA championships, will be represented by agent Kevin Canning.
Contact Liz Mullen with labor and agent news at lmullen@sportsbusinessjournal.com.
