BASKETBALL AGENT JOEL BELL: MILESTONES IN SPORTS ENDORSEMENTS

By Joel Bell

Introduction

The president of Bell Sports, Inc., Joel Bell has represented numerous athletes throughout his 24 years as a professional basketball agent. As part of his duties, Joel Bell negotiates endorsement deals for some of his clients, including three who obtained signature shoes through top footwear companies.

About Sports Endorsements

Sports endorsements have become an omnipresent feature of marketing campaigns, and athletes have earned multimillion-dollar contracts for providing their face or names to numerous products. The first million-dollar sports endorsement occurred in 1964. The recipient of this landmark achievement was professional bowler Don Carter. That year, Carter signed a deal to promote Ebonite, a firm that still produces bowling balls and related equipment, and its Don Carter Gyro-Balanced ball.

Conclusion

Before this period, Don Carter already earned recognition as one of the sports world's highest earning figures. The first bowler to win every major tournament, he was garnering over $100,000 annually by the start of the decade. Miller Lite, Palmolive Rapid Shave, and Wonder Bread all hired him to represent their products. Even after the Carter deal, other athletes found themselves unable to approach the $1 million amount. Renowned golfer Arnold Palmer and iconic quarterback Joe Namath received $5,000 and $10,000 per year, respectively, from other endorsements. Not until 1971 did another athlete, race car driver Richard Petty, obtain a six-figure contract.