• Orlando Sentinel/AP, Thursday, January 4, 2007 1 PM

PepsiCo has signed tennis star--and endorsement maven--Maria Sharapova to a deal to endorse its Gatorade and Tropicana brands. Company officials say Sharapova will lead a global hydration education campaign, plus star in a new Gatorade ad to launch early this year.

The deal adds to Sharapova's rapidly growing list of major endorsements worldwide. The defending U.S. Open champion, who turns 20 this April, signed a "lifetime" deal with racket and apparel company Prince last year for a reported $25 million. She also endorses Canon, Colgate, Nike, Tag Heuer, Land Rover and others.

Sharapova finished behind only Justine Henin-Hardenne in the WTA Tour points rankings last year. Her estimated annual income from endorsements, appearance fees, prize money and other sources is believed to be somewhere in the $30 million range.

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