APPAREL COMPANIES HOPE FOR EYE-CATCHING SIDELINE SHOTS

     Five athletic-wear companies are staging a competitive
battle -- not on the field or in commercials, but on the
sidelines.  Last May, 66 football players were signed to wear
apparel while standing on the sidelines.  Tom Hine, President and
CEO of Logo Athletic:  "It's better than billboards, television
or print ads because it's authentic and it's real."  The NFL has
limited five companies to signing a total of 66 players.
Starter, Logo Athletic and Apex are three of the companies
employing the strategy, with Troy Aikman, John Elway, Steve Young
and Rod Woodson are some of the players featured.  Although most
of the contracts range from $10,000-$20,000 some top stars demand
six-figure deals (Glenn Collins, N.Y. TIMES, 12/19).