• Adweek, Tuesday, May 2, 2006 11:45 AM

Athletic show marketers are wasting no time in signing newly minted National Football League players to endorsement contracts. Just days after the NFL draft in which college stars were chosen by NFL teams, the two leading draft picks have been signed to deals. The latest to sign was Vince Young, the former University of Texas star who led his team to the national championship last year. Young was drafted by the Tennessee Titans and then signed a multiyear deal with Reebok. When the pro football season kicks off in the fall, Young will promote Reebok's Rbk Performance product collection, specifically the Pump Down and Out cleat and Rbk Triple Impact compression apparel. The products are part of the NFL Equipment collection, which will launch this year. Young also will be included in Reebok's new NFL TV campaign. Another premier college player, Reggie Bush, star running back of the University of Southern California, was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the draft and promptly signed a deal with Reebok parent Adidas.

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