O.J. associate has advertising plans

O.J. Simpson associate Tom Riccio will be a walking, talking sponsorship opportunity during the O.J. trial, which starts Sept. 8.

Let us count the ways, according to pricing listed on the ex-con's Web site, www.BustedVegas.com. The site claims Riccio has more than 100 national TV, radio and print media interviews booked during Cirque du O.J.

For $7,500, Riccio will place your ad on the limo he takes to the courthouse. The fee is $5,000 on noncourt days.

Pay him $5,000 and he'll have dinner at your restaurant the day he testifies. The fee is $2,500 for breakfast and $2,000 to do lunch at your eatery that day.

"Media will be following him," the Web site points out.

For $5,000 Riccio will plug your product or company during talk-show appearances ("15- to 30-second pitch").

A logo wear sponsorship starts at $2,500. It costs $6,000 "if he wears your hat all five days he is in Las Vegas."

For $5,500, Riccio will appear in a Review-Journal ad pitching your restaurant, according to the Web site.

The shady memorabilia dealer arranged the meeting between Simpson and the two sports memorabilia collectors who claim they were robbed at gunpoint at Palace Station a year ago.

Simpson faces multiple felony charges in the incident, which Riccio recorded and sold to the celebrity Web site, TMZ.com.

Jon Fondy, director of the Las Vegas-based advertising and marketing company XY7, which is assisting Riccio, said the sponsorship phase began last week. Fondy said club and online gaming sites have shown the most interest, "because of the enormous amount of exposure they would get."

But, Fondy said, "some people are leery of attaching themselves to anything that has to do with O.J. Simpson."

LINLEY FAVORED

"Hannah Montana" heartthrob Cody Linley is a slight favorite over 'N Sync's Lance Bass in the seventh season of "Dancing With the Stars." John Avello, race and sports book director at Wynn Las Vegas, has Linley, 18, at 4-1 and Bass at 5-1.

TV host Brooke Burke is 7-1; former Flamingo headliner Toni Braxton, 8-1; chef Rocco DiSpirito, 10-1; socialite Kim Kardashian, 12-1; and sprinter Maurice Greene, 15-1.

Soap icon Susan Lucci is a 20-1 choice; volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, 22-1; actor Ted McGinley, 25-1; former NFL star Warren Sapp, 30-1, 82-year-old actress Cloris Leachman, 40-1 and comedian Jeffrey Ross, 50-1.

Avello posts the odds for entertainment value only.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The short-lived 40/40 Club at the Palazzo ceases to operate under the current staff and management after today. The casino takes over ownership starting Monday. ...

America's Best DJ finals are being held Tuesday at Rouge at the MGM Grand. Among the contenders: Qbert of the documentary "Scratch," Christopher Lawrence and Skribble of MTV fame.

SIGHTINGS

Members of the U.S. men's gymnastics team, including silver medalist Jonathan Horton, taking in "Le Reve" (Wynn) and "Ka" (MGM Grand) and dining at the Social House restaurant (Treasure Island). ... Chris Rock, arriving Friday at Poetry (Forum Shops at Caesars) through a service hallway after being escorted down an alley because of crowd control concerns. ... At N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Friday: Rock, David Spade, Charlie Sheen and Adrien Brody.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Not only is she young, they're saying she's the prettiest candidate for vice president since John Edwards." -- Jimmy Kimmel, on Republican presidential candidate John McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.