Sports Biz

RSS FEED

» Help

Subscribe to this RSS feed
Stay up to date with the Sports Biz blog.

SPORTS BIZ VIDEO GALLERY

» More

- The Future of the NFL 20 Nov 2009
  Discussing the state of the game, with Tom Condon, CAA Sports and CNBC's Darren Rovell.
- Lebron's Number 13 Nov 2009
  Lebron James tells fans he will likely ditch the number 23 next year. CNBC's Darren Rovell has the story.
- The Bullet-Proof Idea? 13 Nov 2009
  Discussing bullet-proof sports equipment, with Rob Vito, Unequal Technologies president and CNBC's Darren Rovell.
- Celtics Courting Fans 11 Nov 2009
  The Boston Celtics are working hard to keep fans, with CNBC's Darren Rovell and Celtics president Rich Gotham.
- Poker's New Champ 11 Nov 2009
  The World Series of Poker has a new champion, with Joe Cada, World Series poker winner and CNBC's Darren Rovell.
- Wall Street Poker Face 06 Nov 2009
  It's a new house of cards for a former Bear Stearns executive, with Steve Begleiter and CNBC's Darren Rovell.

LATEST FROM OUR BLOGS

» More

- Don't Dwell on Investment Mistakes; Move on, Like Buffett

MORE HEADLINES

» Markets | Economy | Companies

- Wave of Debt Payments Facing US Government

CNBC ON DIGG

NBA MVPs Don't Keep Cars

Published: Monday, 4 May 2009 | 12:15 PM ET

Text Size

By: Darren Rovell
Sports Business Reporter

Kia
Photo by: Ian Muttoo
Kia
LeBron James and Dwight Howard have many endorsement deals, but both are currently free agents as far as national car deals go.

That's why it's a good thing that the offensive and defensive MVP award winners don't actually have to accept cars from Kia, which sponsor the awards.

Since Kia does the deal with the league, the league asks the players what charity they want the car to go to. Agents are relieved by this practice, so as not to compromise their player's ability to market another car brand.

Last year, Kobe Bryant donated his Kia Borrego to the East L.A. Boys and Girls Club. Howard already donated his car to the Orlando Day Nursery.

It's a nice gesture, but the practice of donating the car isn't necessarily the best endorsement for Kia. It would make much more sense if the player would turn the key and drive away in the thing. That being said, a car that one of these players wants isn't the type of car that can be mass marketed to America.

When he finally does the deal, James' car endorsement deal could come out at a discount because he is so associated with the Hummer he drove in high school. General Motors [GM Loading... () ] is currently looking for buyers to take the Hummer brand off its hands.