[Mediconlinee]

this appears as an aside in an article about Andy Murray appearing in tomorrow's TimesOnline:

It is understood that Reebok, the clothing manufacturer, may be forced to pull out of its deal with Jelena Jankovic, the world’s No 1 woman player from Serbia, because of financial cutbacks

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle5409872.ece

[Mediconlinee]

Has the World #1, and Player of the Year ever been dumped by their clothing supplier before? And who/what does this say more about...Reebok? Jelena? or Tennis?

This is insane. And troubling. And of course, it's associated with Jelena. Can she do anything without a flair for drama accompanying her?

[Mifsnavassy]

Besides the use of the words "understood" and "may", which suggest a very "wait and see" attitude towards the whole thing, my main thought is that 90% of what Reebok gave her last year didn't fit her anyway.

If it is true, it doesn't say very much to me about Reebok, Jelena, or tennis, except that maybe Reebok in general isn't as big/profitable an outfit as Nike/Adidas and has to cut back (like almost everyone else) and that tennis isn't high profile enough to justify paying Jelena what they're paying her. To me it's nothing specific, it's just a struggling company being unable to afford their most expensive commodity in a branch of advertising that isn't their most profitable anyway. It wouldn't surprise me if sports were really hard hit by the general economic conditions. Didn't Honda have to drop its Formula One team entirely?

[+++Poguru+++]

It will be more difficult to get sponsorship deals next year except for the most popular players (Ana and Rafa just signed new deals).

[+++Poguru+++]

I've read that Agnieszka hasn't been able to find anything substantial at all. Although in her case part of the reason probably is that she refuses to use any major agencies...

[Mediconlinee]

Besides the use of the words "understood" and "may", which suggest a very "wait and see" attitude towards the whole thing, my main thought is that 90% of what Reebok gave her last year didn't fit her anyway.

It wouldn't surprise me if sports were really hard hit by the general economic conditions. Didn't Honda have to drop its Formula One team entirely?

I don't know if it was a matter of "have to" or "chose to", but they are out, Pamchenko. And GM terminated it's deal with Tiger Woods.

Was just reading the other day that Ana I. is in the midst of negotiating a new deal with Adidas that (keep in mind this was a Serbian paper reporting it) said it was going to be the biggest deal in women's sport since Steffi's retirement.

I wonder if Jelena can get directions to an Australian Target from Casey Dellaqua?

[Mifsnavassy]

I always thought Agnieszka's troubles in finding a clothing sponsor had more to do with her father's demands than lack of sponsor interest.

It's always seemed to me that Jelena has smart representation. If this is true, I'm sure someone else would take her on, although possibly for less money than she is getting/would expect to get from Reebok.

[+++Poguru+++]

I always thought Agnieszka's troubles in finding a clothing sponsor had more to do with her father's demands than lack of sponsor interest.

Don't know if it's about the amount of $$$, but he wants to control everything...

[Xqjfxmfk]

There are still a number of WTA tournaments without sponsors.

[Mediconlinee]

I've read that Agnieszka hasn't been able to find anything substantial at all. Although in her case part of the reason probably is that she refuses to use any major agencies...

What, like CAA or IMG, Suliso? CAA is pursuing Novak and Andy Murray, according to this same article.

I worry about Agnieszka's star power. Caro, on the other hand, will be able to write her own check when she wins something big.

[+++Poguru+++]

What, like CAA or IMG, Suliso? CAA is pursuing Novak and Andy Murray, according to this same article.

I worry about Agnieszka's star power. Caro, on the other hand, will be able to write her own check when she wins something big.

We aren't talking about Ana or Rafa type deals here, but as a young top 10 player she ought to be able to do better with a proper management. Poland is not a small country and there are many Poles abroad too...

CAA or IMG are not limiting themselves to just 2-3 players each.

[Mediconlinee]

I'm surprised UnderArmour hasn't made more of an effort at signing some top players. Guess Vera Z. is their top ranked woman. When Scotty and I saw Vera practicing at the USO, you realized how perfect the synergy was with the two of them - UnderArmour really hits the muscularity/fit market hard, and Vera has to be the most ripped woman in the WTA. I was blown away by her body.

[+++Poguru+++]

I'm surprised UnderArmour hasn't made more of an effort at signing some top players. Guess Vera Z. is their top ranked woman. When Scotty and I saw Vera practicing at the USO, you realized how perfect the synergy was with the two of them - UnderArmour really hits the muscularity/fit market hard, and Vera has to be the most ripped woman in the WTA. I was blown away by her body.

I would guess Elena D.

[Mifsnavassy]

We aren't talking about Ana or Rafa type deals here, but as a young top 10 player she ought to be able to do better with a proper management. Poland is not a small country and there are many Poles abroad too...

CAA or IMG are not limiting themselves to just 2-3 players each.

Precisely. Most people don't have star power, and competently top 10-20 players don't need it to make themselves very comfortable. Agnieszka is one of those, and with competent representation she would have very few worries. But, as has already been stated, her lack of competent representation has very little to do with her ability, personality, lack of "star power", or current economic conditions.

[Mifsnavassy]

I'm surprised UnderArmour hasn't made more of an effort at signing some top players. Guess Vera Z. is their top ranked woman. When Scotty and I saw Vera practicing at the USO, you realized how perfect the synergy was with the two of them - UnderArmour really hits the muscularity/fit market hard, and Vera has to be the most ripped woman in the WTA. I was blown away by her body.

Vera isn't with UnderArmour anymore, she's been with K-Swiss since... RG? Wimbledon? The US Open Series, at least.

[Mediconlinee]

I would guess Elena D.

Elena has a fit, and gorgeous body. Vera is ripped. And shows it off. We saw her practicing in a sports bra and pair of compression shorts. Her abs were completely on display, and you don't show that kind of stomach unless your body fat is in the low single digit range.

[Mediconlinee]

Vera isn't with UnderArmour anymore, she's been with K-Swiss since... RG? Wimbledon? The US Open Series, at least.

Missed that. Thanks, PamC. So is Craybas Underarmour's top woman?

[Xqjfxmfk]

I hope that Nole goes with CAA. I see him acting when his career is over. I think he'd be good on screen. He has the looks.

[Mifsnavassy]

Missed that. Thanks, PamC.

Do you like how clearly I pinned down that timeline?

So is Craybas Underarmour's top woman? I'm not really sure who else UnderArmour has, but I guess that's possible.

[SHpuntik]

Didn't Reebok just kind of unceremoniously dump Venus a couple of years ago, too? I think Reebok is kind of like that.