Peyton Manning: The NFL's Anna Kournikova?

Posted Aug 14th 2006 3:17PM by TMZ Staff

Even if you don't care a lick about football, that face to the left there is probably pretty familiar to you. That's because Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts' quarterback, has been everywhere, starring in TV spots for no less than five different companies, including popular spots for Gatorade, DirecTV, and MasterCard.

And starting this fall, Manning's going to be even more exposed, featuring prominently in high-profile ad campaigns for Reebok and Sony, the latter alongside golf prodigy Michelle Wie. In 2005, Manning landed $10.5 million in endorsements according to Sports Illustrated, amongst the highest of any athlete. And his agent's recent defection to powerhouse Creative Artists Agency suggests that more showbiz is in the offing for the NFL's golden boy.

But, like tennis' Anna Kournikova before him, Manning's a superstar pitchman who hasn't actually won anything on the field, from high school to college to the pros. To be fair, Manning, at 30, already holds several NFL passing records, and he nearly led his team to an undefeated season last year, a level of success Kournikova never came close to achieving.

And yet, how is it that Peyton, without Tiger Woods' titles or Anna K's, er, talents, has become the face of just about everything?



Chalk it up to something utterly basic: likeability. "He's the nicest guy in the world and everybody loves him," said Terry Lefton, editor-at-large of Sports Business Daily & Journal, recently. Even though Manning has yet to shake the reputation that he can't win the big game, leading sports marketing consultants explain that he's already too credible and trusted to lose his Madison Avenue luster.

Reebok, for instance, is putting what it has called "a very significant investment" into the new TV campaign called "When Did I Know," debuting in September during the NFL's opening weekend, and starring Manning. And the company certainly doesn't lack confidence that Manning can sell their shoes and equipment."Peyton is as important to us as any asset we have at Reebok," said Eddie White, vice president of team properties, in the Indianapolis Star. "It's safe to say he'll be with Reebok as long as he plays football."

Filed under: TV, The Biz


Tags: Michelle Wie, MichelleWie, NFL, Peyton Manning, PeytonManning

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31. I love watching Peyton & think he's one of the greatest. Unfortunately, his career will be defined by whether he wins a Superbowl or not.

Posted at 5:41PM on Aug 14th 2006 by Leea

32. I don't think a lot of you know what football actually is--a TEAM sport. Yes Peyton is extremely talented, but one person can not win or lose the Super Bowl. It takes the entire team. Unfortunately, the hype will never die down until the Colts win a Super Bowl, and it WILL happen. Once the Colts get a decent defense there will be no stopping them.

You also do not see Peyton's name tied to scandal. He's a super nice guy with no ego to speak of. He lives and breathes football year-round. He is always working to better himself and help those around him improve. Do you see Terrell Owens doing this? Because Peyton is such a nice guy and scandal-free people love him, and that's why he has so many endorsements.

Posted at 5:54PM on Aug 14th 2006 by Sweetie-Tweety

33. Its true ! Peyton is always trying to better himself.

This summer he took up reading.

Posted at 6:01PM on Aug 14th 2006 by Bookmobile Guy

34. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are both media pretty boy @ssholes! So who cares? Why would you expect anything less?

Posted at 7:41PM on Aug 14th 2006 by Tim

35. i think its halrious how people make big deal about sumone calling him still a champion and complaing and fighting over something so stupid, but if you realize ring or no ring.. doesnt matter, he has the stats, he has the skills, and if u would realize if u were a pittsburgh steelers fan like my self since i was born, no offense to any other team players, but look steelers BARLY won, againsts the colts, they got lucky becuze big ben grabed that dudes foot and thats how they won, just cuz of that simple play. but non the less anyhow back on track

petyon is awesome, #1 qb ... wit the other top dogs such as cullpepper, big ben, brady, and the pussy cat from bangels, and also vick is a nice thrower, ya people can hate himn but hes stil good, iff he didnt play injuired or wahtever also mcnabb is a good qb obvously or they wouldnt all be in the freaking nfl in the first place right!

back on track 1 more time

obvously manning led the colts to almost a 16 and 0 season that no one else has done, till 1 game lose, and it was over, they crushed the patriots, and all other teams, so dont even say hes not good or not a champ becuz he proved he can do things he could pick up another team and take em that far just like that

so stfu about him not being good or it mattering about a ring, hes better then u so get a life plz

Posted at 8:19PM on Aug 14th 2006 by steve

36. Peyton Manning is the rebirth of Dan Marino. They don't pass out Super Bowl rings for commercials. Keep "cutting that meat", while real quarterbacks get there fingers fitted for rings.

Posted at 9:20PM on Aug 14th 2006 by Asa

37. Everyone keeps saying its all about team, but nobody's mentioning the fact that the Colts had the most talent of any team; they almost finished the season undefeated! I guess Marvin Harrison and the Edge are just average players? Peyton loses the big games because he cannot take any pressure, both literally and figuratively. All it takes is a solid pass rush to beat Peyton, that's it. He's like a statue in the pocket, and when he gets hit or hurried, he simply unravels. Brady side-steps the pass rush and calmly hits his targets. That's why Peyton will never be one of the greats, he has a HUGE weakness against good pass rushes. EXACTLY LIKE MARINO!!!!

Posted at 12:47AM on Aug 15th 2006 by John

38. I'm from Tennessee, right down the road from UT. Peyton is a household name in our area. There are more babies named Peyton than you can imagine. Also Eli, after his brother.
Peyton is a down to earth, sincere person. He supports Knoxville and UT and Saint Mary's Hospital all the way. He has never pretended just for the media. He is a honest, sincere person and very down to earth.
He just gave UT's athlete dept 1 million dollars. Peyton Manning Stadium? Why not???

Posted at 7:58AM on Aug 15th 2006 by joyce lee

39. To Tim who said that Tom and Peyton are pretty boy media a**holes...Tom is the pretty one, Petyon is just non-descript...obviously are you not aware that Tom Brady won WITH HIS TEAM 3 Superbowls since he became first string quarterback???? I agree w/ everyone that it's the ingredients of the TEAM that come together, that make the difference; Peyton is a good quarterback, but he is still no Tom Brady, straight up. GO PATS!!!

Posted at 8:30AM on Aug 15th 2006 by Team Minnillo

40. Peyton Manning may be the best quarterback to ever play the game. No one runs an offensive line like he does. It is just fun to watch him do what he does best. He is a true champion regardless of the lack of "rings". He will win the big one before he is finished with football, it is his destiny.

Posted at 9:40AM on Aug 15th 2006 by Lori Anderson

41. I agree that Peyton is one of the best quarterbacks but the team seems to "choke" when they have to win a game. Tom Brady has won 3 Superbowls faster than any other quarterback but don't just put it all on his shoulders. Look at the Pats now! With the team being stupid enough to let go key veteran players each season they played liked hell last season. So pretty boy Tom is not the "only" element to win. A quarterback has to have the right receivers to win just like everyone else. I like Tom Brady but he is overhyped. Take away is receivers, offensive line etc. and he's nothing special. A quarterback is only as good as the people around them and that goes for "every" quarterback. Tom Brady is "The Great White Hype" of the NFL. I think there are many good quarterbacks in the NFL but it angers me that people seem to focus on just Tom. He's not all that to me. His face is somewhat cute, but if you look at him closely he has a Frankenstein forehead and a horrible body. I saw footage of him in the lockerroom after a game with no shirt on and the guy is flabby! So even his looks are exaggerated. Let's give everyone the credit they deserve.

Posted at 12:32PM on Aug 15th 2006 by CW

42. Another thing Mr. Manning has never done......beat my Florida Gators!!!!

Posted at 8:55AM on Aug 16th 2006 by Lori

43. Fact - Peyton is a great quarterback. He is not a champion. To be a champion you have to win the championship game. Doesnt matter if they lost in the last second on the 1 yard line tripping over a piece of grass. Didnt win. Tom Brady has won 3 times.

Opinion - If I was a general manager picking a team I would take Brady over Peyton. I "feel" (opinion) that winning (especialy the big games)is an intangible and either youve got it or you dont.

Why is Peyton getting all the endorsements ? Fucked if I know, or care. I drink gatorade for hangovers, and the athlete that sells it doesnt affect my purchase.

Posted at 3:52PM on Aug 16th 2006 by Opinion or Fact

44. Hey Minillo, Your Pats Suck! haha
Your "dynasty" is over, face it and move on. Oh yeah and your Sox suck too.

Posted at 8:28PM on Aug 16th 2006 by Tim

45. Fact is: Peyton has never won. Not in high school, not in college and not in the pro's. You can't deflect all the blame as Peyton's own college team won a championship immediatly after he left. Face it. He sells tickets and jersey's but he is the ultimate liability.

Posted at 1:35PM on Aug 21st 2006 by Hate-in' Manning

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