Peterson starting to cash in with endorsement deals

No matter where Adrian Peterson lands on draft day, he's already won fans in one locale.

Corporate America.

Folks there have taken quite a shine to Oklahoma's stud tailback. Wednesday, he jetted to New York City for a whirlwind day promoting new exclusive wireless coverage with Sprint. A couple weeks back, he spent a day in Orlando for a photo shoot with Nike.

Those are big-boy, blue-chip companies that went after Peterson.

And he hadn't been drafted much less played a down in the NFL. If the likes of Sprint and Nike are going after him now, this is just the beginning.

"It's open,” Peterson said Wednesday via telephone from NYC, "so you never know.”

While riches await Peterson there, landing endorsement deals can kick players up a tax bracket or six. They bring not only money but also prestige and attention. They can turn sports stars into cultural icons.

Peterson's pitchman potential is high.

Take the Nike deal. The apparel giant can tap any athlete, and Peterson was one of only nine soon-to-be NFL