News Briefs

NIKE:

gave 13-year-old soccer phenom Freddy Adu, a member of the U.S. under-17 national team, a $1 million contract. A native of Ghana, Adu became a U.S. citizen earlier this year. The deal comes on the heels of Nike signing 18-year-old basketball star LeBron James to a $90 million deal last week.

CENTURY 21 REAL ESTATE CORP.: named Jacob Stepan its chief operating officer, reporting to President-CEO Van Davis. Stepan will oversee Century 21's franchise support department and its awards, recognition and relocation programs.