Got Mayo?

Recently many sports marketing analyst have been discussing the marketability of Ovinton J’Anthony Mayo, a.k.a O.J. Mayo. He is expected to be a one and done player at USC. If he decides to enter the draft after the season, he’ll be the highest paid player whether he’s the top player or not according to some analyst.

O.J. Mayo has been popular since junior high, much like LeBron James, Greg Oden, and Kevin Durant. Before LeBron was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he signed a seven year $90 million dollar deal with Nike, with a $10 million dollar signing bonus. He also has major deals with Sprite, Bubblicious, has his own apparel line and other ventures. Kevin Durant recently signed a seven year $60 million dollar deal with Nike, a company that has been affilated with him since 8th grade. His deal also includes a $10 million dollar signing bonus.

O.J. is most likely next in line for a mega deal next year if he declares for the draft, with companies like Reebok, Nike, and Adidas trying to obtain his marketing appeal. Analyst say O.J. could command up to $10 million dollars per year on a shoe deal, with another $15 million on other potential sponsorship deals. Some companies already have a head start on O.J.

Reebok donated $75,000 a year to his AAU team the D-1 Greyhounds. This season he’ll play for USC a Nike sponsored school, and some analyst have said a silent bidding war is already taking place between Tropicanna and Minute Maid.

Chris Rivers VP of grassroots basketball for Reebok said "He has charisma, he walks in a room, you know he’s there. There may be other people who may be as talented as him, but he carries himself likes he’s special." Cindy Taylor an independent marketing firm executive said there are downsides that hurt O.J.’s marketing appeal she said "Many big name companies will be skeptical on wanting to do endorsements with O.J. because when people hear the name O.J. they automatically think of troubled former athlete O.J. Simpson." She also said "Although he has talent companies don’t want to over pay young players coming in, in fear that they don’t live up to the hype like Sebastain Telfair and Gerald Green, and with O.J. possibly going to command $10 million dollars or more, it could pose a problem."

Marty Griffin of MG Marketing also feels O.J. may find it difficult to get full value on endorsements he said "Although O.J. Mayo hasn’t had consistent problems with bad behavior, he has been in some trouble, and companies are starting to research and think long and hard with dealing with any athlete, who has had multiple issues surrounding them, no matter how talented, popular, or marketable they are.

Whatever happens with Michael Vick will play a huge role in how companies do deals with star players in the future." I can see where Cindy and Marty are coming from, but I disagree with them about O.J. Mayos appeal. Yes he has the initials of troubled former athlete, and yes O.J. has ran into a few problems off the court. But I think companies will look at the pros and cons of signing him, and they’ll see way more pros and pursue to sign him to a deal. From what I’ve been hearing reps are anxious to get Mayo signed to their companies, because he has all the traits they look for popularity, talent, a good personality, and a very marketable name, what more could you ask for? He is a walking slogan, just look at a quote used with his name "Pass the O.J, Hold the Mayo." Companies can have a lot of fun with name the O.J. Mayo.

Let HoopsVibe viewers know what you think about O.J. Mayos marketability, does he have a lot or not? To see how he plays on the court, click on my article Fresh O.J.