A survey of U.S. retailers by SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS shows
that sales of "baseball equipment -- especially gloves" -- are
down. Some are "surprised by just how much sales dropped," and
"disenchantment with the pro game, along with the slow
disappearance of sandlot, or pick-up baseball, are blamed." Most
surveyed expect the NFL to be their strongest licensed line for
the Fall and are bringing in "significantly more product than
last season." Jim Chick, President of Chick's Sporting Goods:
"Anything authentic seems to be what people are looking for. The
fashion stuff is a dead issue.".....In soccer news, Umbro will
present an annual U.S. college soccer all-star game for men and
women and has become a major sponsor for the European Soccer
Championships....Puma has rounded out the list of MLS team
outfitters and will supply the Denver team. In total, Nike will
outfit five teams, Reebok and Adidas two each, and Puma
one....Soccer manufacturers and FIFA have "reached an uneasy
truce" concerning royalties for the use of the FIFA seal on
soccer balls. FIFA has "lowered its royalties and also added the
option of marking high grade ball 'International Matchball
Standard' royalty free" (SGB, 9/95 issue).
