Everyone knows that Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman regards himself as the best corner in the league and now Peterson’s extension surpasses both his (four years, $56 million) and Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden (five years, $68 million). Sherman took to his Twitter account to indirectly say how he feels about the deal.
But it’s not all bad for Sherman, who has explained and apologized for the rant. CNN reports that the cornerback could make some $5 million in endorsements as a result of the attention surrounding his rant.
According to Sherman’s agent, Jamie Fritz, that many are now interested in Sherman following the rant. While Sherman’s current endorsements “amount to just a bit more than his $550,000 NFL salary,” Fritz believes there are millions in deals that will be signed soon, some before the Super Bowl is played Feb. 2.
“We have some new players who have come to the table who are starting the conversation,” Fritz said.
Some advertisers are worried about the controversy generated by the rant. But Fritz thinks the rant was more positive than negative for Sherman’s image. “I think that he’s more likable,” he said. “People love this. The brand managers love this.”
“He’s going to be the very hot interview in next couple of weeks. I’m sure you’re see someone take advantage of him,” said Jordan Schlachter. executive vice president, sports for The Marketing Arm, a firm that arranges endorsement deals.
“The only reason it bothers me is that it seems like it’s the accepted way of calling people the n-word nowadays. … What’s the definition of a thug, really? Can a guy on the football field, just talking to people — maybe I’m talking loudly, or doing something I’m not supposed to be. But there was a hockey game where they didn’t even play hockey, they just threw the puck aside and started fighting. I saw that and I thought, ‘Oh man, I’m a thug?’ So I’m really disappointed in being called a thug.”
On Monday, the interview and the reaction it sparked remained a hot topic of conversation. As measured by iQ Media1, the word “thug” was uttered more times on U.S. television on Monday, 625, than it had been on any other day in three years, reported Deadspin. According to iQ Media1 findings, the Boston television market led the nation with 36 uses on Monday.
Sherman grew up in Compton. His father has worked as a trash man there for 30 years. He says he fought his whole life to lose the “thug” stereotype, and it’s a shame it’s coming back now:
“I know some thugs and they know I’m the furthest thing from a thug. I’ve fought that my whole life, just coming from where I come from. Just because you hear Compton, you heard Watts, cities like that you think, ‘Thug. He’s a gangster. He’s this, that, and the other.’ And then you hear Stanford and that doesn’t make sense, it’s an oxymoron. To fight it for so long, and have to hear it come up again, it’s frustrating.”
