There’s No Business Like Shoe Business

Allen Iverson signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok last week.

It is an extension of the 10-year, $50-million deal the Philadelphia star signed after being selected by the 76ers with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.

“Allen’s love for the game is clearly demonstrated each time he takes the court,” said Paul Fireman, chairman and chief executive officer of Reebok International Ltd.

“Anyone who watches Allen knows he plays for the love of the game, which provides today’s youth with an example of how to live their lives as all of us want for our children.”

Yeah, the money has nothing to do with it.

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Add Iverson: Iverson, the league’s reigning MVP, has had to overcome a bad boy image to land one of the largest contracts signed by Reebok. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

“It shows a lot of commitment, and hopefully I can stand up to my part,” Iverson said. “I didn’t have the greatest past in the world, but they always stood by me and always stood up for me when times were bad. This is another time they stood by me and I’m just looking forward to doing the best I can for Reebok.”

Fireman said the contract extends beyond Iverson’s career on the court.

“We don’t consider our relationship to end when his career does,” Fireman said. “We believe we can continue to bring forth products and engage consumers on Allen’s behalf and ours for years after his career is over.”

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Trivia time: When was the last time Notre Dame won a bowl game?

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Experience counts: The NFL Experience, a collection of football-related games and activities, will be staged in conjunction with the Super Bowl after all.

When the Super Bowl was pushed back to Feb. 3 because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, staging the full event looked doubtful.

“At first there was a possibility that we wouldn’t get the whole experience,” said Dan Haphold of the New Orleans Sports Foundation. “There isn’t enough room for all of it in the convention center on the new weekend. But it’s all going to be here now, with a new twist--part of it will be inside and part outside.”

One benefit from the delay: “In light of recent events, fans this year will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the NFL Experience at significantly reduced rates,” NFL Vice President Jim Steeg said.

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Whoops: The owners of a British racehorse carrying the unfortunate handicap of being named Taleban are pleading with gamblers to start backing the gelding.

Taleban was named before owner John Wade bought the horse, the paper said.

“We started pronouncing it Tale Ban, and we have even looked into changing it officially. I’m sure it’s putting off the [gamblers].”

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Trivia answer: The 1994 Cotton Bowl, when the Irish defeated Texas A&M;, 24-21.

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And finally: “Professional baseball is on the wane. Salaries must come down or the interest of the public must be increased in some way. If one or the other does not happen, bankruptcy stares every team in the face.”

A quote from Bud Selig?

No, Chicago White Stocking owner Albert Spalding said it in 1881.