Interviews & Articles
Millsport's senior sports business executives are available for interviews, commentary, and analysis on a number of sports marketing and sponsorship topics. To arrange an interview, please contact Chris Anderson at (214) 259-3290.
Quarterbacks take the endorsement snap
Sep 4, 2008
The quarterback pitch
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Whether he ever decides to retire, Brett Favre is sure to have a long career cashing in on any number of endorsements.
Brett Favre, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have more in common than just Super Bowl rings and NFL most valuable player awards.
More than any other football players in this generation, these three have been able to transcend the game and become their own highly marketable brands.
Manning is corporate America's favorite pitchman, shilling for DirecTV, MasterCard and Sprint, among others. Favre is on the cover of the popular Madden NFL 09 video game, has his own slew of endorsements, including Wrangler, and made a famous cameo in the movie "There's Something About Mary." Brady is dating Giselle Bundchen, one of the world's most famous models, has been featured on the cover of GQ magazine and appeared in his underwear on "Saturday Night Live."
Yes, this is certainly a quarterback's world, and Manning, Brady and Favre are poised to join the ranks of John Elway, Dan Marino and Joe Montana, whose fame long exceeds their playing careers.
"It's one of those 'it' factors that you can't put your finger on," former Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth said. "There's a swagger to every one of those guys that they just have, a confidence that they just have."
And it pays.
Not only do quarterbacks often receive larger paychecks from their franchises, they demand a higher value in the business world, oftentimes costing double what a top defensive player does. That's because quarterbacks often top the wish list for corporations who are seeking pitchmen, said Darin David, an account director at Millsport, a national sports marketing agency.
"Kids from a young age, they want to pattern themselves after the quarterback," David said. "It's such a visible, high-profile position, and that's what you want for your product."
Manning, Brady and Favre are considered the top tier of active quarterbacks, trailed by a group that includes young stars such as Ben Roethlisberger, Tony Romo and Drew Brees. David said Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is at the top of the third tier, but if he continues to outpace the other quarterbacks of the 2006 draft class, Vince Young and Matt Leinart, his stock will continue to climb nationally.
"He's up-and-coming, for sure," David said.
