Eagles' Vick signs deal with nutritional company

Michael Vick is nearing a three-year, $1.55 million endorsement deal with MusclePharm, a Denver-based nutritional supplement company, according to an NFL.com report.

The deal, which was said to be close but not final, would be Vick's largest endorsement contract since serving a prison sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, according to the report, and comes soon after Vick rejoined Nike's stable of athlete-endorsers.

After rehabilitating his image last season, Vick gained some local endorsement deals, but only recently returned to a larger stage in terms of company size and financial terms.

"We don't have any problem considering him at all," a MusclePharm official told NFL.com. "And for us to consider him, we're confident that he has rehabilitated himself."

MusclePharm officials did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Vick signed the Eagles franchise tender before the NFL lockout began - assuring him of a $16 million contract this season - and may seek a longer deal once the labor dispute ends.

The Eagles are the 11th most valuable franchise in all of sports, worth $1.12 billion, according to a Forbes list released Tuesday.

Both their ranking and value are unchanged from last year. That's not bad for a team Jeffrey Lurie bought for $185 million in 1994.

While the Birds were among the world's elite when it comes to value, they ranked fourth out of four in the NFC East. All three of the Eagles' divisional rivals rank among the world's 10 most valuable franchises. The Cowboys ($1.81 billion) are second. The Redskins ($1.55 billion) are fourth, and the Giants ($1.18 billion) rank eighth.

The Eagles are the seventh most valuable franchise in the NFL.

The most valuable franchise in the world is Manchester United, worth $1.86 billion, according to Forbes.

All 32 NFL franchises made the top 50.

 Former Eagles running back and defensive back Ralph Goldston died in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, the team said. He was 82.

Goldston played in 27 games for the Eagles from 1952 to '55. He also played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League with Hamilton and Montreal.

Goldston, a native of Campbell, Ohio, is survived by his wife, Sarah; a son, Ralph Jr.; three daughters, Ursula, Beverly and Monique; and five grandchildren. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home in Youngstown, Ohio.