Skip navigation

Sports Biz

Sports Biz Video Gallery
CNBC's Darren Rovell has a preview of the parade and insight on what the Giants winning means for New York and New Jerse...
CNBC's Darren Rovell discusses some of the oddest wagers of the Super Bowl weekend.
darren rovell's sports index
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

Current DateTime: 02:44:46 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 23279670
Expiration DateTime: 2/9/2012 2:45:30 AM

SPORTS BIZ SLIDESHOWS

» More

Current DateTime: 02:44:46 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 37998722

DARREN ROVELL'S SPORTS INDEX

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

ABOUT SPORTS BIZ

Darren Rovell brings you his unique take on the business of sports: a multi-billion dollar global industry and obsession full of personalities and products. On Sports Biz, Darren will give you his up-to-date take on everything from salaries to endorsement deals to marketing and promotions, trades and tirades – in short, everything that makes sports so exciting.

Ana Ivanovic (My Favorite) Signs With Yonex

Published: Friday, 11 Jan 2008 | 9:35 AM ET
Text Size
By: Darren Rovell
Sports Business Reporter

Source: anaivanovic.com
Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic, who my blog readers know is my favorite tennis player has switched rackets. The 20-year-old Serbian beauty will play the Australian Open--which begins Monday--with a Yonex racket in her hand. Ivanovic had played her entire career with Wilson rackets.

"Yonex presented us with an attractive offer, but the racket was really the most important thing," said Gavin Versi, one of Ana's representatives. "She had never tried any racket other than Wilson. She just grew up using one brand never knowing if it was the best one. But she tried Yonex and loved it."

Versi wouldn't divulge contract details, citing confidentiality, but one source told CNBC that it's a four-year deal that could hit eight figures if Ivanovic is ranked No. 1 for about half the deal. Ivanovic begins the season ranked fourth in the world.

Versi told CNBC that before Ivanovic signed the deal she spent three days at the end of the season extensively testing the Yonex rackets with an independent racket technician present. After trying three different models (38 rackets in total with different customizations) she settled on using the model Lleyton Hewitt uses--the RQiS 1 Tour.

Ivanovic, who has endorsement deals with Adidas, Juice Plus and Verona Motors, is expected to be the new face of Yonex, being that she is the brand's highest ranked player.

Now, we'll give you the CNBC Racket Sponsors Rankings. Each brand gets one point for having a man or woman in the top 10. Their ranking is in parentheses next to their name.

1. Prince, 6 points. Jelena Jankovic (3), Nikolay Davydenko (4), Maria Sharapova (5), David Ferrer (5), Daniela Hantuchova (9) and Marion Bartoli (10)

2. Wilson, 5 points. Justine Henin (1), Roger Federer (1), Novak Djokovic (3), Serena Williams (7) and Venus Williams (8)

T3. Babolat, 3 points. Rafael Nadal (2), Andy Roddick (6) and Fernando Gonzalez (7)

T3. Head, 3 points. Svetlana Kuznetzova (2), Richard Gasquet (8) and Andy Murray (9)

4. Yonex, 2 points. Ana Ivanovic (4) and David Nalbandian (10)

5. Fischer, 1 point. Anna Chakvetadze (6)

For fun, here's the CNBC Clothing Sponsor Rankings. Same scoring applies. As far as I can tell, Marion Bartoli doesn't seem to have a clothing sponsor.

T1. Nike, 5 points. Roger Federer (1), Rafael Nadal (2), Maria Sharapova (5), Serena Williams (7) and Daniela Hantuchova (9).

T1. Adidas, 5 points. Justine Henin (1), Novak Djokovic (3), Ana Ivanovic (4), Anna Chakvetadze (6) and Fernando Gonzalez (7).

3. Lacoste, 2 points. Andy Roddick (6) and Richard Gasquet (8).

T4. Fila, 1 point. Svetlana Kuznetsova (2).

T4. Reebok, 1 point. Jelena Jankovic (3).

T4. Airness, 1 point. Nikolay Davydenko (4)

T4. Lotto, 1 point. David Ferrer (5).

T4. Steve & Barry's, 1 point. Venus Williams (8).

T4. Fred Perry, 1 point. Andy Murray (9).

T4. Yonex, 1 point. David Nalbandian (10).

Questions?  Comments? 

© 2012 CNBC, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Current DateTime: 02:16:13 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 11:15:33 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 11:15:08 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779197

Current DateTime: 11:15:33 08 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779199
CNBCCNBC
About CNBC  |  Site Map  |  Video Reprints   |  Advertise  |  Help  |  Contact
Privacy Policy  |     |  Terms of Service  |  Independent Programming Report
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2012 CNBC LLC.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBCUniversal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters