Sausalito Challenge has received a handful of inquiries about the "celebrity crew" position, as it's called on the syndicate's Web site.

Sailing manager John Sweeney said the Popeye wannabes include a rapper, a sheik and an apparel company looking to place one of its athlete endorsers - a soccer player - in a high-profile position.

Sweeney won't name names until after the application deadline.

"I think people understand that if you're not a billionaire, you have to be very creative," said Sweeney. "If you look at the teams in the cup, everyone has a guy who, if he's not a billionaire, he's at least worth $100 million."

Last year, Sausalito Challenge tried to find an exclusive sponsor through bidding on eBay. No one met the reserve price, but Sweeney said his syndicate at least found a software company willing to be a co-sponsor. A European auto company also is interested. Sweeney wouldn't identify either company.

Sausalito Challenge has filed paperwork with America's Cup Management but must finalize its sponsorship deals before being accepted as an official challenger.

Sweeney said Sausalito Challenge can survive without the 10 million euros ($13 million) the "celebrity crew" would bring, but that much cash would represent one-sixth of its budget of 60 million euros ($78 million).

"If he gets it, it's the best thing that's happened to the America's Cup," said four-time winner Dennis Conner, who has said he might be priced out of the next regatta. "I think it would be a grand marketing coup."

Sweeney hopes to land someone athletic. If he's strong enough, he can be a grinder, turning the winches that trim the sails. If he's smart enough, he can help navigate.

Most likely, he'll be stashed among the braintrust in the back of the boat, largely out of harm's way but always in range of a TV camera.