Brands desperate to cash in on 'Linsanity'

New York, Feb 23 (ANI): Jeremy Lin, who already has the NBA's best-selling jersey, has brands banging down his door in hopes of tapping him as a potential global-marketing 'juggernaut'.

However, the 23-year-old basketball player and his inner circle are passing on easy money and quick deals to seek opportunities that will fit his squeaky-clean image.

"Jeremy's agent, Roger Montgomery, has had over 1,000 e-mails from companies who want to strike endorsement deals with him," the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

"There's been so much interest, and so many people reaching out, it is overwhelming. They're working to build a team to handle all this, and hiring marketing and p.r. executives. He has met with IMG," the source said.

According to sources, the point guard's reps have turned down offers from a wireless phone company as well as a watchmaker, potentially worth "millions of dollars".

Brands courting Lin are being tight-lipped to not to lose ground to competitors.

"Jeremy doesn't want to jump into anything.

"He wants to sit back and wait and see what suits him. He's not looking for the quick money. The deals have to be right," a source said.

"Asia is a major growth market right now for luxury brands. Using Lin in that market will be huge," another source said.

Another branding guru said Lin's potential doesn't follow the usual path.

"Every NBA player wants a contract with a luxury watch brand right now," the insider said.

"LeBron James is Audemars Piguet, Dwyane Wade is Hublot . . . But Jeremy is Harvard-educated, and he's not going to do something flashy that's just for the money," the insider added. (ANI)