Wade signs lucrative new endorsement deal

MIAMI, FL — Add another endorsement deal to the list for 2006 NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade.

Kleenex has signed Wade to be their new spokesman for a deal reportedly worth $15 million. The company was never interested in having a NBA player represent them, but everything changed last week when Wade separated his shoulder during a loss to the Rockets.

The Heat star was shown in obvious pain on the sidelines while team physicians attended to him.

“That’s when we saw our opportunity,” said Walter Waterworks, Kleenex’s VP of Advertising. “Watching Dwyane Wade crying uncontrollably was like a godsend for me. You see guys get injured in the NBA all the time, but never have I seen a player cry like that. It was touching; exactly what we look for in a commercial spokesman.”

Wade will be featured in an upcoming Kleenex commercial where he and seven ladies will watch The Notebook together with cameras rolling and enough Kleenex to wipe away their collective tears. In a related story, contract negotiations with between the tissue company and Adam Morrison began in earnest when executives saw a highlight reel from March Madness 2006.

It’s going to be tough for this sport to sweep any nations, but it’s still pretty frickin’ cool!