• ABCNews.com, Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:55 AM

Former pro basketball player John Amaechi is the latest member of a small group of openly gay athletes to snare an endorsement deal. The first NBA player to openly acknowledge he is gay, Amaechi was just named a spokesman for HeadBlade, a company that specializes in products for men who shave their heads. "I think it's fantastic that HeadBlade has approached me to endorse the brand," Amaechi says. "Whether you're black, white, straight or gay, a shaved head is a shaved head, and it requires specialized maintenance."

HeadBlade does not disclose how long the contract will last or how much Amaechi will be paid but Amaechi -- gay and black -- appeals to its varied demographic targets. "The HeadBlade audience is diverse. We endorse MMA [mixed martial arts] fighters, bodybuilders, Harley Davidson drag racers and other professional athletes. John not only represents a few of our target demographics; he's also a worldwide diplomat for the brand and a role model to many people," says HeadBlade CEO Todd Greene.

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