Reebok rides rise of Venus

By DAVID USBORNE

NEW YORK - Venus Williams, the reigning Wimbledon and US Open tennis champion, signed an endorsement deal with Reebok yesterday that was said to be the most lucrative ever for a female athlete.

The terms of the deal were not unveiled, but it was widely rumoured to be worth US$40 million ($90 million) over five years.

The sports apparel company, based in Massachusetts, said it was not aware of any other female sports star winning so rich contract.

Nor was it denying the astronomical figure cited by the media. Angel Martinez, the chief marketing officer for Reebok, said: "If the reports were far off-base, I'd be jumping up and down and would let you know".

The jumping will be left to Ms Williams. This month she was named Sportswoman of the Year, by Sports Illustrated magazine.

A week ago, Ms Williams and her younger sister, Serena, who were doubles gold medalists at the summer Olympics, signed a three-year advertising and promotional deal with Avon, the cosmetics company.

Venus Williams, who had a previous contract with Reebok that began in 1995 and ended in April, said yesterday: "This is a big moment in my life. This is another part of reaching out for my dreams".

In return for the riches, Ms Williams will be put to work. She will be expected to make public appearances for Reebok and front a long-running advertising campaign, which will be tagged: "Defy Convention".