Thursday, May 04, 2006

Masters Brand Management --- Part 2

A couple of trophies won by tennis player, Martina Navritilova, were auctioned yesterday. She doesn't know how the company acquired them, but her attorney is investigating it. Bjorn Borg recently announced that he was going to sell his Wimbeldon trophies for "financial security." He decided to keep them after a couple of fellow players called him.

A Heisman Trophy has been sold to raise legal fees for a murder defense fund or a token payment of a civil judgment. I'm sure Super Bowl rings have also been sold for cash.

Winners of those high-profile accomplishments in their respective sports seem to place little sentimental value on their prizes.

Will the awards presented at the Masters end up on EBay one day? The Masters champion is presented with a replica of the official trophy, a gold medal, and, of course, the green jacket (it probably can't be sold since the jacket stays on the premises of Augusta National Golf Club, except in extraordinary circumstances). The runner-up receives a silver medal and a silver tray. Crystal items are also given to players who shoot the low round, or have a hole-in-one, an eagle, and a double eagle.

To maintain the Masters's mystique, I'd advise Hootie and his friends to issue another rule for the players. Something to the effect that any trophy or award received at the Masters shall never be sold or auctioned in the public. And, Augusta National shall have the first right of refusal on the purchase of any such items.

I hope Hootie doesn't have to take this step, but nowadays you never know what people will do for "financial security" or to pay off debts, especially gambling ones.

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