The American Professional Soccer League's Atlanta franchise
has named itself the "Ruckus," and selected blue, black, and
silver as its colors.  Ruckus GM Mark Dillon:  "We wanted a name
we could own and a name that would not appear anywhere else in
professional sports.  We wanted a name that is unique."  The team
is planning a $300,000 ad campaign, and "team officials are
making good on their promise to sign first-rate players."  Dillon
also announced an agreement with SportSouth to broadcasat Ruckus
matches when play begins in May 1995.  APSL Commissioner Richard
Groff:  "This team is the APSL's future.  It's our future vision
and our future model, and it will take us into a new and
competitive era."  The Ruckus is owned by Sam Chase, who also
owns the Atlanta Magic of the U.S. International Soccer League
(Doug Cress, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/18).

     Blockbuster Entertainment announced it will open an indoor
playground for adults next month in Albuquerque, NM called "Block
Party."  The "playground" will include electronic games, motion
simulators, virtual realty and music videos, as well as food,
beer and wine.  Block Parties "could soon dot the land, if past
experience is any guide."  But Blockbuster will first test the
concept in Albuquerque and Indianapolis before expanding
nationwide.  Bill Burns, president of Blockbuster's entertainment
center said Block Party is different from the games arena at the
Blockbuster Golf & Games park located in Ft. Lauderdale.  The new
playground "targets older kids" -- those between the ages of 18
and 45 (Don Finefrock, MIAMI HERALD, 11/18).

     The Chevrolet Corvette has been named the Official Pace Car
for the 79th running of the Indianapolis 500 next May.  Chevrolet
returns as the "500" pace car for a record 10th time, and it will
be the third time for Corvette -- which previously paced in 1978
and 1986.  Chevrolet VP Jim Perkins: "We build the Corvette as a
performance car that can pace the world's most prestigious race
right from the factory."  The car will be a dark purple and
Arctic white, two-tone convertible (Chevrolet).

     SPORTS AUTHORITY GOES PUBLIC:  Kmart's Sports Authority goes
public today with an IPO of 9.84M shares at $19/share (DOW JONES
NEWS SERVICE/WASHINGTON POST, 11/18).
     WOOLWORTH REPORTS NET PROFITS:  Woolworth, which owns Champs
and Foot Locker, has "pulled itself out of six consecutive
quarters of losses" by posting net profits of $37M during the
third quarter of this year, according to Richard Tomkins in this
morning's FINANCIAL TIMES.  During the same period last year, the
company posted losses of $350M, but the comparison is "flattered
by several provisions and one-time charges that hit results in
the third quarter of 1993."  When factored in, the comparison to
last year would show that "the combined operating profits of the
company's general merchandise and specialty retailing divisions
were little changed" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/18).
     RECORD POSTING FOR WAL-MART:  Tomkins also reports that
"store openings and a large increase in revenues"  helped Wal-
Mart increase net income by 13% to a record $588M in its third
quarter to October from $519M for the same period last year
(FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/18).
     MORE ON MILLER:  The CHARLOTTE OBSERVER puts Miller
Brewing's exclusive 10-year deal with the Carolina Panthers at an
estimated $30M (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/18).

     The LPGA has announced that it will return to Atlanta in
1995 with Chick-fil-A as title sponsor of their Charity
Championship -- to be held from April 17-23 and featuring a
$500,000 purse.  Chick-fil-A Chair Truett Cathy said tournament
proceeds will benefit the WinShape Foster Care program, which
provides student scholarships and foster care for over 70
children in seven homes.  LPGA Commissioner Charles Mecham:  "We
are happy to be returning in partnership with Chick-fil-A, a
hometown sponsor, to provide Atlanta with the very best in
women's golf, while benefiting a worthy cause."  A newly formed
non-profit, Metro South Golf Charities, Inc., will produce the
event.  Chick-fil-A is one of the largest privately held
restaurant chains and the third-largest fast-food chicken chain,
with nearly 600 restaurants in 32 states and Canada (Chick-fil-
A).

     Roughly three out of four Americans plan to spend at least
as much this holiday season as they did last year, according to a
nationwide consumer survey released today by Arthur Andersen,
LLP.  Jay Scansaroli, managing partner for Arthur Andersen's
worldwide retail practice:  "We've seen job growth, low
inflation, and rising disposable incomes in 1994.  And, although
consumer debt has grown during the year, it has not seemed to put
a damper on the holiday spending spirit."  OTHER SURVEY FINDINGS:
78% of the 1,050 consumers surveyed plan to pay for holiday gifts
mostly by cash or check -- only 22% plan to use mostly credit;
apparel is likely to be the strongest sales category, with
consumers planning to spend 35% of their holiday budget on
clothing; toys represent the second strongest category, drawing
22% of consumer budgets; and electronic items came in third with
13% of consumer budgets.  WHERE TO SHOP?:  Nationwide, consumers
plan to do 44% of their holiday spending at department stores;
22% at discounters; and 10% at specialty stores (Arthur
Andersen).