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Archives for June 2009

Wimbledon 2008 – The Greatest Tennis Match of All Time (Video)

June 30, 2009 By

My favorite tennis tournament is Wimbledon, held each year on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England.

I don’t claim to be a big tennis fan. In fact, I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the sport since the Jimmy Connors – John McEnroe – Bjorn Borg era. However, I always follow Wimbledon with at least a casual glance because of its storied history. This year marks the tournament’s 123rd year of competition.

It’s going to be hard for this year to surpass last year’s classic, which featured one of the all-time great men’s finals in which Rafael Nadal won his first Wimbledon title by defeating top-seeded Roger Federer. The final was a fragmented affair due to two rain delays, which stretched the event to over seven hours. The playing time itself made it the longest final in Wimbledon history at 4 hours and 48 minutes.

Best Match Ever – Federer Vs. Nadal 2008 Highlights

... Read More

Filed Under: Athlete News, Sports Speaker News, Tennis News Tagged With: , , ,

Deion Sanders Scores High Marks As Motivational Speaker

June 19, 2009 By

Professional athletes all have a special talent that very few people possess. Still others have a talent that can just be described as a freak of nature. A few athletes come to mind – two-sport stars Bo Jackson and Brian Jordan and baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, who was drafted by all three major sports out of college. But one of the best was without a doubt Deion Sanders.

Nicknamed “Prime Time” during his All-America football days at Florida State, Deion  is the only athlete to have ever played in both a Super Bowl and World Series. He is considered one of the greatest cover cornerbacks ever. He played for the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens, winning the Super Bowl with the 49ers and Cowboys. He was a nine-time All-Pro and was named to the 1990’s NFL All-Decade Team.

In Major League Baseball, he played a nine-year, part-time career, participating in 641 games with four teams – the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. During the 1989 season, he became the first player in history to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.

Deion was considered a better football player than baseball player. His reputation was so great that opposing offensive coordinators almost always specifically accounted for him in their game plan.[He was widely known to shut down “his” half of the field, causing most quarterbacks to essentially ignore the receiver he was covering. He allegedly ran a 4.16 in the 40-yard dash, making him the second fastest in the NFL to Darrell Green.

Deion also occasionally played offense. He and Bill Dudley are the only players in NFL history to score a touchdown six different ways – interception return, punt return, kickoff return, receiving, rushing and a fumble recovery.

Deion will mostly be remembered by his “Prime Time” persona and for “high-stepping” it into the end zone followed by his touchdown dance celebrations. The interesting thing about “Prime Time” was that it was just a marketing ploy. He used it to become not only a fan favorite but also one of the highest-paid athletes of his time.

Deion had some difficult times in the late 1990’s that led to him becoming born-again and an ordained minister. He also wrote an interesting book published in 1998  entitled “Power, Money & Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life.”

Today, Deion is a analyst for the NFL Network. He’s also an a highly-acclaimed Christian Speaker and motivational sports speaker. I recently hired him to speak at a client’s sales meeting and he received higher ratings for his speech than any other speaker.

If you would like to find out how to hire Deion Sanders for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Deion Sanders booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top sports and celebrity booking agent for athletes, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

Filed Under: Athlete News, Christian Athletes, Sports Speaker News Tagged With: , ,

Will Tiger Woods Win The 2009 US Open?

June 17, 2009 By

The 2009 U.S. Open is set to tee off on Thursday, June 18. I hope this year’s U.S. Open can come close to matching the excitement of last year’s classic.

In case you forgot, the 2008 U.S. Open featured a 45-year old named Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods, the world’s top-ranked golfer, who had missed the previous two months due to knee surgery.

The affable, always-smiling Mediate was in the clubhouse with a one-stroke lead as Tiger stood over a 15-foot putt on the final hole that he had to make to force an 18-hole playoff the next day. And as only Tiger could do, he sank the putt.

On Monday, Rocco and Tiger provided one of the most exciting days in golf history, which was made even more dramatic by Tiger’s knee problems, which left him grimacing after many tee shots. It first appeared as though Tiger’s experience would be too much for Mediate as he built a three shot lead with eight holes to play. However, the gritty Mediate refused to quit and actually led by one four holes later. And as he had done on Sunday, Tiger had to make another putt on 18 to tie, which, of course, he did. Tiger went onto win on the next hole, the 91st hole of the tournament.

It was his 65th career victory, passing Ben Hogan for third all-time, and 14th major. Tiger raised his playoff record to 15-2 and made it 14-of-14 in majors when he had at least a share of the lead going into the final round. For Mediate, I’m sure there was disappointment, but you would have never known it. He won over a legion of fans and quickly became one of the most popular golfers on tour. His affable personality has opened up a world of opportunities, from endorsements to appearances to motivational sports speaking.

This year’s event starts on Thursday at Bethpage Black in New York. The initial weather forecast calls for rain off and on throughout the week, and if that holds true, it’s going to keep the scores low and reward those players who keep the ball in the fairway and out of the notoriously-thick rough. So who am I picking to win this year’s event?

Tiger won Jack Nicklaus’s event a couple of weeks ago at Muirfield and drove the ball better than he has all year. If he plays the same this week, he could be tough to beat. I also like a few international golfers, including Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 Open winner, and Retief Goosen, a two-time Open champion . My darkhorse…Brian Gay, who won the event in Memphis last week after leading wire-to-wire. A two-time winner this year, Brian is a tough competitor when he’s on top of his game.

PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency is a top celebrity and sports booking agent for golf speakers, sports stars , athlete appearances, athlete endorsement deals and celebrity entertainment.

Filed Under: Athlete News, Golf News, Sports Speaker News Tagged With: ,

Gale Sayers Is One of Our Top Cancer Speakers Says Booking Agency

June 14, 2009 By

I recently hired Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers for a speaking engagement and was reminded of Brian’s Song, one of the most touching movies ever made and something that many people are reminded of when they think of Gale.

The 1971 made-for-television movie told the story of Sayers friendship with teammate Brian Piccolo, a relationship that shattered racial boundaries during a time of racial tension. Piccolo played four seasons with the Bears and, in 1969, began coughing early in the season. On November 16 in Atlanta, after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 48-31 loss to the Falcons, Piccolo removed himself from the plane, bothered by a persistent cough and chest pains.

Two days later, a chest x-ray discovered a tumor in his lungs. He underwent surgery to remove the malignant tumor on November 28, at which time the doctor discovered the cancer had spread. Piccolo began chemotherapy treatments and spent Christmas at home. In April of 1970 his left lung and left breast were removed. ... Read More

Filed Under: Christian Athletes, Sports Speaker News Tagged With: , , , ,

Who Is The Athlete With The Most Endorsements?

June 9, 2009 By

Athlete endorsements aren’t new. Ever since Red Rock Cola hired Babe Ruth to endorse its soft drink brand in the 1930‘s, companies have utilized athletes to pitch their products and serve as company spokespersons. It is estimated that companies spend close to one billion dollars on athlete and celebrity endorsements each year and for good reason. Studies have shown that consumers are more likely to purchase products endorsed by athletes than products not endorsed. Athletes are role models and consumers tend to believe athletes, especially those with a positive public image.

The top superstars today can earn much more in endorsements than in salary. For instance, in 2008, Tiger Woods earned close to $6 million on the PGA Tour and close to $100 million from endorsements. It’s no surprise that he leads the list of top athlete endorsers. Arguably the most popular athlete in the world, Tiger resonates with people across all demographics. Among his deals are Nike, Accenture, Gatorade, EA Sports & Gillette.

Among the other top athlete endorsers are Phil Mickelson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and Payton Manning.

The top two female endorsers are race car driver Danica Patrick and tennis star Maria Sharapova. What’s interesting about Danica is that she’s not a dominant force in the sport of auto racing. In fact, she’s only one won race in her career, the 2008 IndyCar race in Japan. Her popularity is largely a result of her being a female in a male-dominated sport. Among Danica’s deals are Marquis Jet, Tissot, Peak Antifreeze, Kaenon, Alpinestars and GoDaddy.

Two of the top retired athlete endorsers are Michael Jordan and Cal Ripken Jr. Jordan earns an estimated $40 million per year in endorsement income and, before Tiger Woods, was considered the “King of Endorsements”. Jordan’s deal with Nike in 1984 launched what would become the most successful athlete endorsement campaign in history. Jordan’s other deals include Gatorade and Hanes .

An often overlooked but very effective athlete endorser is boxing legend George Foreman, who’s George Foreman Grill is among the top selling houseware items in the U.S. each year. During the height of his boxing career, Foreman earned $20,000 in endorsement income. With his grill, he’s earned hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, Foreman originally was to receive a percentage of grill sales, but through-the-roof sales of his “Lean Mean Fat-Reducing Grilling Machines” prompted Salton to buy him out for a reported $137.5 million.

There’s no doubt that companies are spending less on athlete endorsements in the current economy. However, that’s just a temporary slowdown. As the economy picks up, so too will endorsement opportunities for athletes. Companies are going to have to differentiate themselves from the competition. And what better way to do that than to have an athlete in your corner who people trust and admire.

PFP is a top celebrity booking agent for booking athlete endorsements,  sports stars and celebrities. If you would like to find out how to hire an athlete for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event call PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency at 800.966.1380.

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Is Bo Jackson The Greatest Two Sport Star?

June 8, 2009 By

I recently did an event with Bo Jackson, which brought back fond memories of watching this great athlete compete. Bo was the classic two-sport star, a near impossible feat given the fact that just a handful of professional athletes have accomplished it successfully. Nike immortalized Bo with its “Bo Knows” campaign in 1989, which showed him excelling in a variety of sports, including tennis, golf, luge, auto racing and even playing blues music with Bo Diddley.

Bo’s legend started in college. In 1985, he won the Heisman Trophy while at Auburn and is considered one of the greatest players ever to play college football. In 2007, he ranked #8 on ESPN’s list of the Top 25 Players In College Football History. During his career at Auburn, he rushed for 4,303 yards, which puts him fourth all-time in rushing yards in the SEC behind Herschel Walker. Bo went on to play football for the Oakland Raiders and baseball for the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and California Angels. He was the first player selected to All-Star teams in two sports.

I grew up in Memphis and recall going to see Bo play for the Memphis Chicks, the Royals AA affiliate. He was a man among boys and made the game look easy. I wasn’t at the game, but as legend has it, Bo hit a towering home run over the left field fence that not only cleared the ballpark but also the executive offices and a grove of trees. Some estimates put the distance at 600 feet!

Another play I’ll never forget was a Monday Night Football game in 1987 when he ran over Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth on his way to a MNF-record 221 rushing performance.

And still another famous “Bo Moment” happened in 1990 against the Baltimore Orioles when he performed his famous “wall run”, which occurred when he caught a ball just a couple of yards away from the wall. As he caught the ball at full speed, Bo looked up and noticed the wall and began to run up the wall, one leg reaching higher as he ascended. He ran along the wall almost parallel to the ground and ultimately came down with the ball.

Unfortunately, Bo suffered a hip injury during a NFL playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1991. The injury ended his football career and seriously threatened his baseball career. Following surgery and rehabilitation on his injured hip, it was discovered that he had avascular necrosis. This caused deterioration of the femoral head, ultimately requiring that the hip be replaced. Bo played another couple of baseball seasons but lost much of the speed that made his so good.

Today, Bo lives in the Chicago area and is a busy motivational sports speaker and successful businessmen. He’s part-owner of a bank and sports facility.

If you would like to find out how to hire Bo Jackson for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Bo Jackson booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top celebrity and sports booking agent for athletes, sports stars, celebrities and corporate entertainment.

Filed Under: Athlete News, Baseball News, Sports Speaker News Tagged With:

Is Phil Jackson The Biggest Clutch Perfomer Of NBA Finals This Year?

June 7, 2009 By

Who would you vote for as the biggest clutch performer of the NBA Finals this year? Kobe Bryant? Dwight Howard? How about trying Phil Jackson?

When you think of Phil Jackson, you think of winning. Jackson is the only coach in NBA history to win more than 1,000 games. He won two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973 as a player for the New York Knicks. He was also the head coach of the Chicago Bulls when they won six NBA Championships in a span of eight years in the 1990’s. After a short-lived retirement, Jackson returned to coach the Los Angeles Lakers and led them to three consecutive NBA titles between 2000 and 2002.

He’s tied with Boston Celtics legend Red Auerbach with 9 NBA coaching titles and will hold the all-time record with 10 if the Lakers defeat the Orlando Magic in this year’s finals. If you think about it, that’s really an incredible feat given that only three other coaches in NBA history have won more than two titles.

Sure, you might say it’s easy to win when you’ve coached the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal, Dennis Rodman and Kobe Bryant, but it takes a special talent to get a group of superstars to play as one. Jackson commands respect from his players and gets them to play at their full potential. My favorite quote by Jackson….“Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We.”

Jackson is a complex individual and very much a thinker. He’s known for his use of Tex Winter’s triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that is influenced by Eastern philosophy, earning him the nickname “Zen Master”. (Jackson cites Robert Pirsig’s book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life.) He also applies Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book “Sacred Hoops”. So while Jackson may be a bit different than most other coaches, whatever he’s doing works.

Jackson was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2007 and, as part of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary in 1999, was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history. The others on the list were Red Aurbach, Chuck Daly, Bill Fitch, Red Holzman, Pat Riley, Don Nelson, John Kundla, Jack Ramsay and Lenny Wilkins.

For most coaches, one NBA title would mark a successful career. Said Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, “”We’re not going to win the coaching matchup. Phil has won more playoff series than I’ve won playoff games. You’ve got to be yourself. I couldn’t be Phil even if I wanted to.” No one can be Phil Jackson. That’s why I believe he’ll go down as the greatest coach in NBA history.

If you would like to hire Phil Jackson for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Phil Jackson booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top sports booking agent for athletes, sports stars and celebrities.

Filed Under: Athlete News, Basketball News, Sports Speaker News Tagged With: ,

Are Wayne Gretzky Led Edmonton Oilers The Greatest NHL Dynasty Of All-Time?

June 5, 2009 By

Watching the NHL playoffs got me thinking about Wayne Gretzky and if the Edmonton Oilers might very well be the greatest dynasty in NHL history. Now I’m that not a big hockey fan, but I’m going to make an argument for the Edmonton Oilers from 1983 – 90. I know people will talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs of the 1940s, the Detroit Red Wings and Montréal Canadiens of the 1950s, the Leafs of the 1960s, the Canadiens and New York Islanders of the 1970s, but I still give the Oilers the edge.

These are the teams that are remembered as the greatest to ever play in the NHL, but it was the Oilers that rewrote the NHL record book. The Toronto Maple Leafs of the 1940s may have been good, but they never scored 400 times in a season. The Red Wings had Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, but the Oilers had Wayne Gretzky. The Canadiens won five Cups in a row, but that was during an era when the NHL had just six teams and only three or four legitimate contenders.

Consider these stats…
Stanley Cups: 5
Stanley Cup Finals Record: 20-6
Regular Season Winning %: .648
Regular Season 1st-Place Finishes: 4
Individual Trophy Winners: 19
Individuals Selected To All-Star Teams: 16

Key Team Records:
Most Wins: 57 (1983-84)
Most Points: 119 (1983-84 & 1985-86)
Most Goals: 446 (1983-84 – NHL record)

Key Individual Records:
Most Assists: 163 (Gretzky in 1986-86 – NHL record)
Most Points: 215 (Gretzky in 1986-86 – NHL record

The team had six future Hall of Famers on its roster during all or part of its run of five Stanley Cup titles – Gretzky (center), Mark Messier (center), Grant Fuhr (Goalie), Jari Kurri (Right Wing), Paul Coffey (Defenseman) and Glenn Anderson (Forward) along with another Hall of Famer as coach/general manager, Glen Sather.

The star of the dynasty years was obviously Wayne Gretzky, who’s called “The Great One” and is considered the greatest player in NHL history.

Check out Wayne Gretzky’s  credentials…

  • Upon his retirement in 1999, he held 40 regular season records, 15 playoff records and 6 All-Star records.
  • Gretzky is the only NHL player to have over 200 points in one season, a feat he accomplished four times
  • Upon his retirement, he was immediately inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame, the last player to have the waiting period lifted
  • His #99 has been retired by every NHL team. He is one of only two athletes to have earned that honor league-wide, the other being baseball great Jackie Robinson
  • In his career, Gretzky captured nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player, ten Art Ross Trophies for most points in a season, five Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship and performance, five Lester B. Pearson Awards and two Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP.
  • Said Bruins coach Terry O’Reilly, “He’s the best. There should be a league rule that he has to be passed around from team to team every year.”
  • Today, Gretzky is a minority owner and managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes. He’s also involved in numerous business ventures and is a popular sports motivational speaker.

If you would like to find out  more information about NHL hockey speakers or how  to hire Wayne Gretzky for a speaking engagement, appearance, endorsement, autograph signing or special event, request Wayne Gretzky booking agent information from PFP Sports and Celebrity Talent Agency. PFP is a top sports booking agent for athletes, entertainers, sports stars and celebrities.

Filed Under: Athlete News, Hockey News, Sports Speaker News Tagged With: