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Sunday | February 2, 2014
Did JAAA Turn Down $Multimillion Adidas, 361 Degrees Offers?
Published: Sunday | February 2, 2014
Blake dismisses reports as 'mischievous'
Andre Lowe
President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Dr Warren Blake has described as mischievous reports that his administration recently turned down a US$2 million-a-year kit sponsorship offer from German sports good manufacturers adidas and a US$3 million-a-year offer from Chinese company 361 Degrees.
The cash-strapped JAAA is currently outfitted by Puma - the world's third-largest kit provider - in a deal believed to be below the US$1 million mark, a contract that the JAAA's top brass has repeatedly expressed an intention to revisit.
In an effort to secure an improved deal, it is understood that the JAAA requested bids from both adidas and 361 Degrees but later pulled out of negotiations and is now expected to extend its current Puma deal beyond the December 2016 expiry date.
When contacted on Friday, Blake was reluctant to comment on the matter, while suggesting that the reports were mischievous and geared at undermining his administration.
"I won't comment on things like that. I don't wish to comment on things like that," said Blake. "Whoever gave that information is being mischievous."
Though unable to get an official statement from either sportswear company, The Sunday Gleaner was informed by well-placed sources that adidas offered a US$2 million-a-year deal, with an additional US$750,000 to be delivered in kits and gear.
The offer, it is understood, features a 10 per cent yearly increase, an additional US$2 million sign-on bonus, as well as 25 per cent on licensing and royalties from Jamaica-branded apparel sales.
According to our sources, this offer was made during one of at least two meetings between adidas executives, lawyers, and JAAA officials. One of these meetings took place during the adidas Grand Prix in New York last year. The meetings were reportedly attended by Blake and JAAA executives Garth Gayle, Dave Myrie, Dennis Gordon, and Gregory Hamilton.
long-time supporter
The JAAA administration also received an eight-year offer in excess of US$3 million a year in cash from 361 Degrees - a deal that also included bonuses, licensing and royalties components, a US$2 million sign-on fee.
There was also an offer for the first two years of the 361 Degrees sponsorship value to be paid up front in full.
Puma has been a long-time supporter of Jamaican track and field and currently sponsors Jamaican posterboy Usain Bolt - the World and Olympics 100m and 200m champion and world record holder, as well as other athletes from the island such as Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment and 400m hurdler Ristananna Tracey.
The company has also supported a number of local high school programmes and development track and field meets since its JAAA partnership started.
Copyright © 2014 Gleaner Company Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports1.html
Did JAAA Turn Down $Multimillion Adidas, 361 Degrees Offers?
Published: Sunday | February 2, 2014
Blake dismisses reports as 'mischievous'
Andre Lowe
President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Dr Warren Blake has described as mischievous reports that his administration recently turned down a US$2 million-a-year kit sponsorship offer from German sports good manufacturers adidas and a US$3 million-a-year offer from Chinese company 361 Degrees.
The cash-strapped JAAA is currently outfitted by Puma - the world's third-largest kit provider - in a deal believed to be below the US$1 million mark, a contract that the JAAA's top brass has repeatedly expressed an intention to revisit.
In an effort to secure an improved deal, it is understood that the JAAA requested bids from both adidas and 361 Degrees but later pulled out of negotiations and is now expected to extend its current Puma deal beyond the December 2016 expiry date.
When contacted on Friday, Blake was reluctant to comment on the matter, while suggesting that the reports were mischievous and geared at undermining his administration.
"I won't comment on things like that. I don't wish to comment on things like that," said Blake. "Whoever gave that information is being mischievous."
Though unable to get an official statement from either sportswear company, The Sunday Gleaner was informed by well-placed sources that adidas offered a US$2 million-a-year deal, with an additional US$750,000 to be delivered in kits and gear.
The offer, it is understood, features a 10 per cent yearly increase, an additional US$2 million sign-on bonus, as well as 25 per cent on licensing and royalties from Jamaica-branded apparel sales.
According to our sources, this offer was made during one of at least two meetings between adidas executives, lawyers, and JAAA officials. One of these meetings took place during the adidas Grand Prix in New York last year. The meetings were reportedly attended by Blake and JAAA executives Garth Gayle, Dave Myrie, Dennis Gordon, and Gregory Hamilton.
long-time supporter
The JAAA administration also received an eight-year offer in excess of US$3 million a year in cash from 361 Degrees - a deal that also included bonuses, licensing and royalties components, a US$2 million sign-on fee.
There was also an offer for the first two years of the 361 Degrees sponsorship value to be paid up front in full.
Puma has been a long-time supporter of Jamaican track and field and currently sponsors Jamaican posterboy Usain Bolt - the World and Olympics 100m and 200m champion and world record holder, as well as other athletes from the island such as Olympic 110m hurdles bronze medallist Hansle Parchment and 400m hurdler Ristananna Tracey.
The company has also supported a number of local high school programmes and development track and field meets since its JAAA partnership started.
Copyright © 2014 Gleaner Company Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports1.html
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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