WISCONSIN BADGERS READY TO SIGN APPAREL CONTRACT

     The Univ of Wisconsin is close to signing an apparel
contract with a leading athletic manufacturer, according to Bob
Wolfley of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL.  The deal would
reportedly be similar to the one Nike has signed with Illinois,
in which Nike paid the school $3.5M for "allowing the sportswear
company to outfit all of its athletic teams."  Vince Sweeney,
Wisconsin Dir of Athletic Marketing/ Licensing, said they have
had discussions with both Nike and Reebok, but anticipated talks
with others.  Nike closed a seven-year deal with Illinois earlier
this week for the rights to sell Illini apparel and market itself
as the school's "exclusive supplier of shoes and uniforms"
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL, 6/1)....Wisconsin will name their
new 18,000-seat arena after WI Sen. Herb Kohl, the owner of the
Bucks.  Kohl donated $25M and will be a consultant to the project
(MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/2).