Romo could nab Starter endorsement

Dallas Business Journal
by Liz Mullen Sports Business Journal

The Starter brand is close to completing a five-year deal with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo that could pay him as much as $10 million, which would make him the highest-paid athletic footwear and apparel endorser in the NFL.

The news of the Romo negotiations rippled through the sports industry, drawing attention both for the size of the deal and the re-emergence of a buyer in a down endorsement market for athletes. Iconix Brand Group, which bought Starter from Nike last year, has publicly stated a strategy to reinvigorate the brand by signing major sports stars to endorsement deals and building its league and team sponsorship and licensing business.

"Right now we have no comment on that," said Tara Levy, public relations manager for Iconix.

Neal Seideman, who left his job at entertainment and sports marketing firm IMG as senior vice president of licensing late last year to become Iconix vice president of business development, said there was no deal completed between the company and Romo. He would not comment further.