Editor's note: This story is revised from the print edition.
The Phoenix Coyotes signed a one-year marketing deal with PGA Tour player Jeff Quinney to wear the team’s logo on his shirt during all tournaments, beginning with this week’s FBR Open in Phoenix.
Quinney, a 29-year-old graduate of Arizona State and resident of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the U.S. Amateur in 2000 and is starting his second full year on the PGA Tour. He finished 57th on the money list in 2007.
While Quinney is not the first golfer to wear the logo of a professional team during tournament play, the deal is believed to be the first in which a team has directly signed a golfer.
Golfer Jeff Quinney (left) and the
Coyotes’ Wayne Gretzky
Financial terms were not available, but Coyotes President and COO Doug Moss called an estimate of low-to-mid-six figures “not too far off.”
The Coyotes are still looking at how best to leverage the relationship, but Quinney will play in golf outings with season-ticket holders and potential buyers of corporate sponsorships or suites. He will appear on the team’s Web site, aid in charitable drives, and occasionally drop the ceremonial puck before home games. When possible, Quinney will attend games as a new season-ticket holder.
During competition he may also wear the logo of Swift Transportation, which was acquired last year by team owner Jerry Moyes.
The Coyotes liked the connection to the young, local golfer, who they feel embodies an image the team is trying to convey. “The two overriding factors were the connection that we have in this marketplace towards golf, and the similarities between Jeff and this team of being young and up and coming,” Moss said.
The concept for the deal was hatched by two brothers. Dennis Blake is Quinney’s agent; Darren Blake is the agent of the Coyotes’ managing partner and coach, Wayne Gretzky. After coming up with the idea, Dennis then negotiated the deal with Moss.
The Coyotes logo is stitched on the chest of Quinney’s shirts.
