For all three companies, Quaker represents a chance to own the Gatorade sports drink brand, which has proven itself to be a growth machine in an industry that has remained relatively stagnant, especially the once-celebrated carbonated drink brands.

Though the main prize of PepsiCo was Gatorade non-carbonated sports drink, Quaker's cereal and snack food division complemented the existing Frito-Lay salty-snacks division.

Though the main prize for PepsiCo was Gatorade noncarbonated sports drink, Quaker's cereal and snack food division serves as seemingly healthier complement to the existing Frito-Lay division of salty snacks.

Mrs. Fadem, 38, is a national accounts manager, in Boston, for the Gatorade sports drink division of Quaker Oats.

Last January, Dorfman reported that stories were circulating among traders that Coca-Cola had offered $60 a share for Quaker, which owns the Gatorade sports drink line.

The move comes just after Coca-Cola abandoned its proposed $16 billion acquisition of Quaker Oats, the maker of the coveted Gatorade sports drink brand, on Tuesday; PepsiCo discontinued talks with the company after its $14.8 billion bid was rejected several weeks ago.

The transaction gives Pepsi control of Quaker's much-coveted Gatorade sports drink brand.

It's not to be confused with a similarly Mame-like new campaign for Gatorade sports drink by Bayer Bess Vanderwarker in Chicago, which carries the theme "Life is a sport.

In 2005, a commercial for the Gatorade sports drink, known as "The Winning Formula", portrayed an alternate version of The Catch, in which the ball bounced out of Clark's fingertips.

The transaction, which gives Pepsi control of Quaker's much-coveted Gatorade sports drink brand, is expected to be announced today.