Marino OKs Memorabilia Co. Offer

Wednesday, May 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) â€” Recently retired Dan Marino, who says he has been offered hundreds of business opportunities, accepted an offer from Dreams Inc., a sports memorabilia company.

Marino signed a three-year contract as director of development and agreed to serve three years on the board of directors for the company, located in suburban Fort Lauderdale. He received a five percent stake in Dreams Inc. and signed a three-year exclusive marketing agreement with the company's subsidiary, Mounted Memories, to autograph memorabilia.

The business venture announced Tuesday is the first involving Marino to be announced since his retirement in March after 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

``It's always been real important to me to work with a good group of guys,'' Marino said. ``This is another way for me to stay in sports that has a business aspect to it.''

Some 300 to 400 athletes a year sign autographs for Dreams Inc., said Ross Tannenbaum, chief executive for the company. But Marino is the only athlete to be offered a stake in the company, which wants him to attract other star athletes to its memorabilia and collectibles business.

``Dan Marino is the largest sports icon there is,'' Tannenbaum said. ``He is so marketable to everyone. He is everything you want in a board member and in a company representative.''

Marino has had an autograph deal with Dreams Inc. for more than six years, and he'll continue to earn a commission for each autograph he signs and each appearance he makes.