MetLife Inc. became the first major sponsor for the new Meadowlands stadium the New York Giants and Jets football teams will call home.

A marketing expert said the deal could bring in $10million to $15million annually.

Mark Lamping, president and CEO of New Meadowlands Stadium Co., the teams' joint venture that is building and will operate the stadium, said there will be five major sponsors for the 82,500-seat stadium that is scheduled to open in 2010. The facility will be co-owned by the Giants and Jets, who both play at Giants Stadium.

As a so-called “cornerstone partner,” MetLife will have the exclusive naming rights to brand one of the four main entrances to the stadium as well as one of the four scoreboards inside it. The stadium will be named after one of the five sponsors, whose logo will appear both outside and inside the $1.3billion stadium that is being built adjacent to Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. Those naming rights could have an annual price tag of at least $20million.

NFL

Former Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi has been hired as a consultant to the NFL and will co-chair a new general managers' advisory committee. NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson said Accorsi will focus on assisting the league in monitoring compliance with rules and policies, and achieving better communication with senior club football personnel.

Accorsi retired from the Giants after the 2006 season following a 35-year NFL career. The new advisory committee will provide advice on protecting and supporting the integrity of the game, expanded use of technology, player development and scouting opportunities, and ways to improve the Pro Bowl, scouting combine, NFL draft and preseason.

Panthers GM Marty Hurney will be among those on the 12-person committee.

HOUSTON

Former Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, 30, signed with the Texans. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Colvin has 521/2 sacks and won two Super Bowls with New England.

MIAMI

Marcus Vick, who spent time on the Dolphins' roster last season, had a court appearance regarding a driving-under-the-influence charge rescheduled. Vick, 24, was to appear in General District Court in Norfolk, Va., but a clerk said his appearance was rescheduled for Sept.10.

In addition to driving under the influence, Vick was charged with misdemeanor counts of eluding police, reckless driving and driving on a suspended license after an incident last week.

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