Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508140136
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DALLAS LENGTH: Short
Pepsi is the only brand available at Cowboys games because team owner Jerry Jones last week signed a 10-year, $40 million deal making it the official drink of Texas Stadium, where the Cowboys play.
Coke has a contract with the NFL giving it exclusive marketing and promotional rights. Jones' deal circumvents the league contract and allows Pepsi into Texas Stadium, which he owns.
But Pepsi can't do anything else with the Cowboys. Coke can, and is going to take advantage of that fact by using the Cowboys in several advertising campaigns and maybe even a new can featuring Aikman.
``We're going to be cutting a TV spot this weekend,'' said Guy Thomas, Coke's vice-president and general manager for North Texas.
Thomas promised that more announcements will come, including something to do with another player. Coke already has a local agreement with Emmitt Smith.
Thomas said the Aikman deal had been in the works for months, but he admitted the plans were moved up in the wake of the Pepsi announcement. Coke has sponsored Aikman's charity golf tournament for four years.
Jones would stir up much more controversy if he follows through on a threat to break ranks with NFL Properties. Jones is upset because Cowboys merchandise is the league's top seller and he's not compensated for that.
``Ultimately, all logos, the helmet and star associated with the Cowboys, will be handled by the Dallas Cowboys and not the marketing arm of the NFL,'' Jones said last week.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB