When Matt Leinart showed up to Arizona Cardinalscamp this week, he was wearing a different logo on his feet. The Nikes that he had been affiliated for his four years at USC and his first four years in the NFL had been quietly replaced by Reeboks.
It’s the first marketing move for Leinart since he ducked out of the world of sports endorsements as his profile diminished as the backup to the now retired Kurt Warner, who led the team to a Super Bowl appearance.
Gone are deals with Qwest Communications, Desert Schools Federal Credit Union and an contract with industry well-known autographs peddler Gary Takahashi of GTSM in Hawaii.
A 2009-10 season with a line that features one start, three interceptions and no touchdowns don’t usually get any bites from corporate America. But now Leinart is the firm No. 1 for the Cardinals and at least one company — Reebok — seems to have faith that Leinart is a worthwhile investment.