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KOBE'S CASE HAS MARKETERS NERVOUS: Endorsement deals overshadowed by negative publicity.

EURWEB: Headlines: KOBE'S CASE HAS MARKETERS NERVOUS: Endorsement deals overshadowed by negative publicity.

Ad Age magazine is reporting that Nike, McDonald's and other companies that have a commercial relationship with Kobe Bryant, are keeping a low profile in the wake of his sexual assault charges for the time being.

Bryant was arrested July 1 in Eagle, Colorado and was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman, reportedly named Kate Farber, at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, a resort in Vail Valley. At EUR press time prosecutors still had not decided whether to press charges, although a decision was expected this week.

Bryant has endorsement deals with Nike, McDonald's, Sprite, Spalding and Upper Deck trading cards that net him an estimated $20 to $22 million a year, according to Ad Age.
Apparently none of the companies were willing to say if any campaigns involving Bryant would be pulled, but some sports marketing experts, such as Brandon Steiner, of New Rochelle, N.Y.-based Steiner Sports Marketing, suspect that will be the case.

Bryant, Wife Attend Teen Choice Awards- Accused Rapist Excellent Role Model for America's Teens

Bryant, Wife Attend Teen Choice Awards: "In a rare public appearance since he was accused of sexual assault, basketball star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa attended the 2003 Teen Choice Awards, where he was picked as the favorite male athlete.

The show was taped Saturday night at the Universal Amphitheater, and the media was prevented from recording Bryant's acceptance speech.

Bryant held his fist in the air after claiming his trophy, a multicolored surfboard emblazoned with the words 'Teen Choice Awards 2003.' He also won last year.
The Los Angeles Lakers' star made a peace sign with his fingers, made a thumbs-up gesture and waved for fans on the arrivals line. He also kissed the hand of his wife, Vanessa.

Bryant and his wife attended the ESPY awards July 16 but have made few public appearances since the scandal erupted last month.
The 24-year-old basketball star has said he had sex with a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort June 30 but denies her claims of sexual assault."

Yahoo! News - Bryant Said to Call 911 Before Surrender

Bryant Said to Call 911 Before Surrender: "Kobe Bryant (news) called 911 the day before he surrendered to police on a sexual assault accusation and medics later treated a female at his home, officials said Friday.

The Los Angeles Lakers (news)' star hung up the phone without talking, but a dispatcher called back, speaking to three people, including Bryant, before sending police and paramedics, Sgt. Steve Shulman said.
'He confirmed that the reason for the call that he made initially was for medical assistance at the residence and the medical assistance was not for him, it was for someone else,' Shulman said.

Bryant made the call the day before he returned to Colorado to surrender to police after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman at an exclusive spa. He is free on $25,000 bail.