He can get big dough in Big D

The Tony Romo marketing onslaught has begun and, given the incredible upside for puns that can be played off the name of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, it figures to get ugly.

Already, there are T-shirts available on EBay sporting the phrases “Got Romo?,” “The Rise of the Romo Empire” and “We Got Romo Mentum.”

Pickett Advertising executive Bob Dorfman told the Sports Business Daily, “Romo could easily make $1 million to $3 million in local deals and appearances alone. His good looks and swagger could earn him deals with any men’s grooming product, his golf skills could lead to work for Callaway or Titleist, and his Mexican-American heritage qualifies him for Taco Bell or Ortega.”

Sports and Sponsorships Inc. President Scott Becher told the publication, “The obvious endorsement would be a match with Tony Roma’s. Creative could feature Romo eating at the restaurant wearing a flak jacket protecting his ribs.”

Or, on second thought, maybe not.

Trivia time

Romo played college football at Eastern Illinois. Three current NFL head coaches are Eastern Illinois alums. Name them.

Hit leaders

Yahoo.com has compiled its list of top 10 sports searches in 2006, and the results might alter some long-standing perceptions.

No. 1: New York Yankees. Unlike A-Rod, generated many hits in October.

No. 2: Dallas Cowboys. They’re not quite America’s Team, evidently.

No. 3: Pittsburgh Steelers. Result of Bill Cowher living in front of his computer, searching for answers.

No. 4: Boston Red Sox. Team’s fans panic-stricken over J.D. Drew news.

Nos. 5, 6 and 9: Manchester United, Arsenal and Real Madrid. Two words for all the haters out there. Soccer matters.

No. 7: Detroit Tigers. Check back this time next year.

No. 8: Chicago Bears. Includes hits by members of the quickly growing Brian Griese fan club.

No. 10: St. Louis Cardinals: Angels fans checking in to see how their old favorite players are doing.

Totals: Major League Baseball 4, NFL 3, European Soccer 3.

The NBA, which did not have any team crack the top 10, is blaming it on the new ball.

Chargers fans demand BCS!

Asking and answering the question, “What if the NFL used the BCS formula?” ESPN.com provided more evidence that the Bowl Championship Series is a lousy way to determine a football champion.

Using what it called “a formula almost identical to that of the BCS Standings” -- including six computer rankings and two polls (ESPN.com and Pro Football Weekly) -- the website delivered this Super Bowl matchup: No. 1 San Diego against No. 2 Chicago.

The Bears are in, despite Rex Grossman and the fact they lost to No. 4 New England in Week 12.

The Chargers are in, which is one way to solve the Marty-Schottenheimer-can’t-win-in-the-postseason problem.

There is no Michigan in the NFL BCS standings, although the selection of Indianapolis as No. 3 is controversial, considering that in the last three weeks the Colts have lost to No. 5 Dallas and No. 17 Tennessee.

However, the NFL BCS got one thing right: The Detroit Lions are ranked last virtually across the board.

Trivia answer

Sean Payton (New Orleans), Brad Childress (Minnesota) and Mike Shanahan (Denver).

And finally

Arkansas punt returner Reggie Fish, to the Arkansas Democrat and Gazette, after Florida recovered his muffed punt for a touchdown in the SEC championship game: “It is hard even talking about it, but life goes on. I’m going to wake up tomorrow and hopefully still be breathing.”

mike.penner@latimes.com