BY
RON SEYMOUR
John Elway: Dealing In Football and Automobiles
John Elway has been the NFL's highest paid player over the past four years. In 1993, John renewed his contract with the Denver
Broncos for four years at a reported salary of $20 million. Previously, the highest paid contract was with Miami's Dan Moreno,
who had a $22 million deal over a five-year period. Elway is now playing in his 15th year with the Denver Broncos. While he's
had some injury problems in the past, he has only missed nine games over his entire career because of injuries.
Off the field, John is in the automobile business. With partner, Rod Buscher, they own several "John Elway Dealerships". Their
combined dealerships sold 13,700 vehicles in 1996. The dealerships represent seven manufacturers -- Ford, Toyota, Nissan,
Honda, Mazda, Oldsmobile and Hundai -- at six different Denver Metro area locations. John Elway Dealerships raised over
$274,000 last year for the "Drive For Education" by setting aside $20 from every vehicle sold. The program gives scholarships
to many college students in the Denver vicinity.
He also has a "John Elway Mall" on the Internet that sells Elway jackets, shirts, hats, license plate frames, key chains, temporary
tattoos, tire covers and pens. John is another of many celebrities that have outside business interests. What will Denver ever
do without him?