Sports & Celebrity Newswire

Archive for the ‘Football News’ Category

The Super Bowl is the biggest single sporting event in the United States each year. It’s become an unofficial holiday and tens of millions of people tune in not only for the game but also the commercials, halftime musical performance and all the other revelry surrounding the game. Even non-sports fans become fans for a day around the Super Bowl. The upcoming game will be played in Miami, FL on Sunday, February 7, 2010.

Miami has been the host of The Super Bowl nine other times, starting with Super Bowl II in 1968 and most recently Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Miami seems to be favored often for the site of The Super Bowl because of their ideal weather conditions during the winter season along with a variety of outdoor activities that Miami offers its visitors.

Many companies, casinos and organizations host Super Bowl parties to entertain clients and raise money. And while such events can offer a lot of fun and comraderie, one of the best ways to make an event even more exciting is to hire a retired football great to sign autographs, meet/greet guests and give a pre-game and halftime chalk talk.

PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent arranges for a number of such appearances around each Super Bowl. For instance, last year former Dallas Cowboys great Ed “Too Tall” Jones appeared at a casino in California. That same casino has hired Cowboys Hall of Famer Randy White for the upcoming Super Bowl. A couple of years ago, PFP procured former Denver Broncos linebackers Karl Mecklenburg and Randy Gradishar for a Super Bowl party to raise money for a local charity. Both legends spoke about their experience of playing in the Super Bowl and gave a chalk talk about the upcoming game. PFP has also booked Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders appearances at various functions around the Super Bowl.

If you’re interested in livening up your Super Bowl event and creating an unforgettable experience for your guests, contact PFF Sports & Celebrity Talent. Call 1.800.966.1380.

I’ve read on more than one occasion since the Tiger Woods story broke last month that the endorsement market for all athletes will suffer as a result of his indiscretions. The thinking goes that if companies can’t trust someone like Tiger, who for years had the cleanest image among all athletes, who can they trust?

Tiger Woods continues to endorse Nike. The organization stands behind him.

I don’t agree with this assessment. There’s an inherent risk whenever a company utilizes an athlete. He could get hurt, traded, arrested or, in the case of Tiger, caught with his pants down. Athletes have been endorsing products for close to 100 years and will continue to do so.

For every high-profile scandal such as Tiger or Kobe Bryant earlier this decade that resulted in companies either cancelling or not renewing their endorsement agreements, there are countless examples of endorsement deals that have been successful. Do you think Nike was disappointed with Michael Jordan or Gatorade with Derek Jeter?

Over the weekend, I was watching CNN and three commercials in a row featured athletes – Howie Long for Chevrolet, Dan Marino for NutriSystem and Chris Berman for Applebees. So will there be any fallout from “Tigergate”?

My guess is that companies will scrutinize potential endorsers even closer. Morality clauses, which give companies the ability to opt out of an endorsement agreement should an issue arise, will likely be tightened even more. And most importantly, companies likely won’t build their entire advertising campaign around just one athlete, which is what Accenture did with Tiger. Some people have estimated it will cost Accenture tens of millions of dollars just to remove all the advertising featuring Tiger. How many times have you been in an airport and seen an Accenture billboard with Tiger?

Speaking of Tiger, his fall from the mountaintop has been historic. Never has an athlete of Tiger’s stature fallen so far so fast. Just a month ago, ask someone to describe Tiger’s image and you would likely hear such words as squeaky-clean, trustworthy and integrity. To date, among his sponsors who have either cancelled or scaled down their involvement with him  include Tag Heuer, Accenture and Gillette. Gatorade is phasing out its Tiger product, although it made the announcement a few days prior to the start of Tiger’s problems.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top booking agent for athlete endorsement deals,  athlete appearances and sports speakers. For more information on how to book an athlete endorsement or appearance, call 800.966.1380

CHARLOTTE, NC – NFL star Chris Henry, 26, who suffered grave injuries in a truck accident in North Carolina yesterday, has died. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police report Henry died at 6:36 AM EST this morning. Henry played wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL star Chris Henry died Thursday morning Dec. 17, 2009

It was previously reported that Henry jumped into the back of a pickup truck yesterday in an attempt to stop his fiancee from leaving a “domestic situation” at her parents’ home in North Carolina.

Henry was rushed to the hospital Wednesday after being found on a residential road “apparently suffering life-threatening injuries,” according to police.

Police said at some point when his fiancee was driving, Henry “came out of the back of the vehicle.” They wouldn’t identify the woman, and no charges were immediately filed.

“Detectives continue to work diligently on this active investigation,” police said in a statement today.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It looks like Larry Johnson’s career as a Kansas City running back is over. The Kansas City Chiefs confirmed on Monday that they had cut Johnson on the day he was due to come back from his second suspension in a year.

Running back, Larry Johnson, released by Kansas City Chiefs

On Oct. 25, Johnson posted on his Twitter account several insults to fans, questioned the credentials of his coach, Todd Haley and used a gay slur.

He repeated the slur the next day to reporters which resulted in his  suspension for two weeks.

Johnson issued his second apology in 12 months last Tuesday and was told to stay away from the team while the NFL and the Chiefs complete their investigation into his use of a gay slur.

Today the Chiefs organization just ran out of patience with Johnson and decided to release him.

“A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful,” Johnson’s agent, Peter Schaffer, told The Associated Press. “There’s a lot of feelings going on right now. It’s analogous to breaking up with a girlfriend. Maybe you saw it coming, but it still hurts when it happens.”

Johnson was no fan favorite either. He was the subject of an online petition last week where fans requested that the Kansas City Chiefs not let him break the team rushing record.

Ex football linebacker, Lawrence Taylor, was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident. Photo: MIAMI-DADE CORRECTIONS

Miami, FL – According to Miami Dade jail records, Lawrence Taylor, former New York Giants football great, was arrested late Sunday in Miami-Dade for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, a second-degree misdemeanor.

Taylor, 50, was booked late Sunday night, but released a short time later on $500 bond.

The car accident occurred about 6:35 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the Palmetto Expressway at Northwest 103rd Street.

An alert went out by responding officers searching for a `white vehicle missing the front right tire,’ reorted Lt. James Durden of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Hialeah police spotted the Taylor’s white car just off the next exit on the Palmetto. Taylor was standing outside, talking on his cellphone.

Taylor told officer Durden that he had been involved in a crash, but thought he hit a guard rail and not another car.

Although there was damage to both vehicles, no one was injured.

Taylor recently competed on Dancing With The Stars Season 8. He and his partner were eliminated in the early rounds.

Taylor also does a celebrity endorsment for Nutrisystem.

Sunday was the day Brett Favre returned to Lambeau Field as a Minnesota Viking. There he was greeted by angry and bitter Green Bay Packer fans with jeers and boos as he ran out of the tunnel onto the field.

“Welcome back to Lambeau Field, Brent,” one fan’s sign read.

Ever since Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings, he has became the Green Bay Packers’ most hated opponent. However, the hostile crowd didn’t seem to phase Favre as Minnesota went on to beat Green Bay 38-26. Favre completed 17 of 28 pass attempts for 244 yards, including touchdowns to Visanthe Shiancoe, Percy Harvin, Jeff Dugan and Bernard Berrian.

Recalling his days with the Packers, Favre went on to say. “What I’ve done here speaks for itself. What I was part of was awesome. That will never change.”

The 1985-86 Chicago Bears are remembered as one of the greatest and most flamboyant NFL teams in history. Who can forget the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle’? It’s cast of characters included quarterback Jim McMahon, Richard Dent, ‘Refrigerator’ Perry and Hall of Famers Mike Ditka, Mike Singletary, Walter Payton and Dan Hampton.

Mike Ditka & Dan Hampton are two of PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent's most popular speakers

PFP Sports & Celebrity Talent Agency books many of the ’85 Bears for speaking engagements, personal appearances and endorsements, but works most closely with Mike Ditka and Dan Hampton.

Ditka seems to get more popular with age. Not only does he have two namesake restaurants in Chicago and one in Pittsburgh, he’s served as a popular pitchman for such companies as Coors and Charles Schwab. PFP negotiated his deal a couple of years ago with Circuit City, where he appeared alongside fellow Hall of Famer John Elway in a series of national print and tv ads.

Ditka was a popular player and even more popular coach for the Bears. In 10 season as head coach, he led the Bears to six NFC Central titles and three trips to the NFC Championship Game. He coached the Bears to the Super Bowl title in 1985-86.

Although not as high-profile on the national stage as Ditka, Hampton has also enjoyed success since his playing career ended. He’s the current host of the syndicated Pro Football Weekly as well as a local Chicago radio show on WSCR 670 The Score. He has served as pitchman for such companies as Chevrolet and Firestone and is currently spokesperson for Illinois Back Institute , a deal negotiated for him by PFP. He’s also a popular motivational speaker and makes personal appearances around the country meeting/greeting guests and signing autographs. In fact, just last week, he gave an uplifting speech at a high school function in the Chicago area.

Hampton spent his entire 12-year career with Chicago and is one of three Bears to play in three different decades. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and was named to the 1980’s All Decade Team. He finished his career ranked third all-time on the Bears for sacks and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.19

Both Ditka and Hampton reside in the Chicago area.

If you need information for booking Mike Ditka or Dan Hamilton as your next speaker or for an appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Mike Ditka or Dan Hamilton booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a sports speakers bureau and top booking agent for sports stars, professional athletes, entertainers and celebrities. For more information call 800.966.1380

During the Michigan John Glenn homecoming football game, Plymouth High school Canton (Michigan) thought it had defeated Westland (Michigan) John Glenn when it blocked a last-second field goal attempt.

The Plymouth High School players ran off the field in celebration, but none of the players realized that the ball hadn’t crossed the line of scrimmage and was still in play.

No official had blown the ball dead.

While Plymouth celebrated, John Glenn’s Tony Wilton picked up the ball and ran 33-yards for the winning touchdown.

John Glenn High School Michigan defeats Plymouth High in crazy ending. Watch video.

It’s a play, Wilton will never forget. Here’s how it went down.

“I heard somebody say ‘run.’” Wilton told The Observer & Eccentric following the game. “There were (Glenn) guys in front of me and they (Plymouth) all ran off the field. They thought the game was over.”

Plymouth coach Mike Sawchuk voiced his dissatisfication with how the final play was officiated.

“They (the officials) blew the whistle and the clock stopped – everybody stopped,” he told the paper. “They wouldn’t give me an explanation.”

Is Rush Limbaugh too controversial for the NFL? The NFL and many civil right advocates  including Al Sharpton believe he is. Rush is an outspoken talk show host, a provocateur, who speaks his mind which in turn tends to polarize many people.

Rev Al Sharpton wants NFL to Block Rush Limbaugh's ownership bid.

Limbaugh announced last week that he was partnering with St. Louis Blues hockey team owner Dave Checketts with the intent to buy the Rams. Due to a confidentiality agreement with Goldman Sachs, Limbaugh would not share any other details.

Civil rights leader, Rev. Al Sharpton. is trying to block Limbaugh’s bid to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell requesting a meeting to discuss Limbaugh’s plans to purchase the franchise.

“Rush Limbaugh has been divisive and anti-NFL on several occasions with comments about NFL Players including Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb and his recent statement that the NFL was beginning to look like a fight between the Crips and the Bloods was disturbing,” Sharpton states in his letter.

In the same letter, Sharpton praised DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, for asking that the league’s executive committee “seek to unify not divide.”

There has been no word from Commissioner Goodell regarding Sharpton’s request.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a speakers bureau and top booking agent for political speakers, football speakers, athlete appearances and endorsements. For more information call 800.966.1380

Tiger Woods earns $1B becoming highest paid athlete

Forbes reported last week that Tiger Woods became the first athlete to earn $1 billion in career earnings from endorsements, prize winnings, golf course design and appearance fees. Woods reportedly earns $30 million a year from Nike and receives $10 million per project for his golf design work. He also just won $10 million last week for winning the FedEx Cup title.

The crazy part is that Woods in only 33 years old and has many years of competitive golf, endorsements and golf course design ahead of him. It’s not a stretch to say that he’ll likely make well in excess of $2 billion by the time his career ends. It’s estimated that he has now earned more than NBA great Michael Jordan ($800 million) and retired Formula One driver Michal Shumacher ($700 million).

Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan compete at San Francisco Golf Tournament

I thought it would be interesting to look at the list of highest paid endorsers…

1. Tiger Woods ($110 million)…Even though he missed the second half of 2008 and the first part of this year with a knee injury, Woods is still the king of earnings.

2T. Kobe Bryant ($45 million)…The NBA’s most popular player on a global basis, Bryant is more popular in China than he is in the United States.

2T. Michael Jordan ($45 million)…Jordan is still Nike’s highest paid endorser, reportedly earning more than $40 million per year from his Jordan brand.

2T. Kimi Raikkonen ($45 million)…Formula One’s highest paid driver.

5. David Beckam ($42 million)…Although Beckham’s on the downside of his career, he’s still the most visible soccer player in the world and has endorsements with Adidas and Motorola among others.

6T. Manny Pacquiao ($40 million)…His last two fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton generated more than $100 million in revenue from pay-per-view.

6T. LeBron James ($40 million)…The Michael Jordan of this era, James is the face of the NBA along with Bryant.

6T. Phil Mickelson ($40 million)…Mickelson has earned more than $54 million in prize money during his career, trailing only Woods and Vijay Singh in money earned over a career.

9. Valentino Rossi ($35 million)…The most popular motorcycle racer in the world. Rossi earns $16 million per year just from Yamaha.

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. ($34 million)…Earnhardt Jr. was voted NASCAR’s most popular driver for the sixth straight year in 2008.

Next Ten…11T. Roger Federer ($34 million); 11T. Shaquille O’Neal ($33 million); 13T. Oscar De La Hoya ($32 million); 13T. Lewis Hamilton ($32 million); 13T. Alex Rodriguez ($32 million); 16. Vijay Singh ($31 million); 17T. Kevin Garnett ($30 million); 17T. Jeff Gordon ($30 million) and 17T. Ronaldinho ($30 million)

The most glaring absence from this list is the lack of representation from the NFL. One would think the most popular sport in the U.S. would be well represented, but NFL salaries aren’t as high as other sports and only a handful of players earn large endorsement income. Even though they’re not on the list, among the top earning NFL players are Payton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

Another interesting fact is that the only retired player on the list is Jordan. Among the top earning retired athletes who didn’t make the list are Cal Ripken Jr, John Elway, Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson and John McEnroe.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top booking agent for sports stars, athlete appearances, endorsements and celebrities. If you would like to hire a sports star for an  endorsement,  appearance or speaking engagement, contact us or call 800 966-1380.