Philip Morris is delivering a "thinly veiled warning" to
publishers who are considering restricting its tobacco
advertising by threatening to take away its food and beer ads
(ADVERTISING AGE, 11/20 issue)....The Grand Rapids franchise that
will start play in the IHL next season released its name and logo
to the public yesterday -- the Grand Rapids Griffins.  The logo's
colors include gold, silver, navy red and forest green, and was
developed by Sean Michael Edwards Design (Griffins)....The Action
Sports Retail Trade Expo will open February 8 in Long Beach.  The
show features more than 650 leading manufacturers of surf, swim,
skate and snowboard equipment (Action Sports)....The Marketing
Arm, a Dallas-based sports marketing agency, is using
client/entertainment packages that include Stars tickets to help
sell sponsorships of the Dallas On Ice outdoor skating rink in
the city's West End (The Marketing Arm)....In L.A., Helene
Elliott reports, "The NHL has taken so much heat since it removed
team logos from game pucks, it may rescind that decision" (L.A.
TIMES, 11/21).

     Nike is "rededicating itself to golf in a big way," writes
Adam Barr in GOLFWEEK, including management changes that point
toward developing "product-oriented approach."  The company has
recently announced a slew of new hires, including sports
marketing manager Joe Moses, who previously worked for Maxfli,
and footwear production manager Michael Forsey, who comes from
"more traditional" footwear makers, Reebok Golf and
Titleist/FootJoy.  Forsey's hire, according to Barr, may be in
response to the failure of Nike's strategy to offer athletic-
style golf shoes.  Barr also notes Nike has hired a former ski
company exec, Bob Rief, as GM of the Golf Division.  Nike
Marketing Dir Rod Tallman says Rief's hiring is to help Nike
expand its products into smaller retail shops, as golf and skiing
are similar in their retail distribution characteristics.
     CATCH A TIGER?  Barr notes that Nike's changes and new
strategy could have a particular player in mind.  Some "industry
watchers" ask whether hiring Moses would put Nike "first in line"
when Tiger Woods turns pro.  Moses:  "There isn't anyone who
wouldn't want to sign Tiger Woods, but I'm here for more than
that."  Barr writes that Moses could also have been brought on
board to improve Nike's position on the PGA Tour, as industry
experts "universally acknowledge Moses' ability to do that"
(GOLFWEEK, 11/18 issue).

     76ers rookie Jerry Stackhouse has signed a deal to endorse
PepsiCo's Mountain Dew.  He will be featured in upcoming print,
television and radio ads for the soft drink.  Stackhouse will be
featured in Mountain Dew advertising and promotions around the
Philadelphia area.  Stackhouse is scheduled to lend support for
include the "Big Slam Twist and Win Game," which focuses on the
company's one-liter package, and a promotion featuring Stackhouse
trading cards.  Both are planned for early '96 (PepsiCo).

     When Bullets/Capitals Owner Abe Pollin opens his new MCI
Center in downtown Washington in '97, the new arena will include
around 50,000 square feet of retail space.  Noting rumors that a
Niketown store would go in the facility,  Maryann Haggerty of the
WASHINGTON POST reports, while Pollin has been "close-mouthed"
about plans for the retail space, he has promised it will be
sports-oriented and "nifty enough" to attract tourists.  Niketown
Chicago features interactive media and audio-video displays along
with retail merchandise; last year it ranked as one of the city's
most popular tourist attractions with 1.5 million visitors.
Niketown spokesperson Kevin Kutcher would not confirm any
discussions with Pollin.  Kutcher:  "All I can say about
Washington is that it's a market we have looked at and are not
finished looking at" (WASHINGTON POST, 11/18).
     MORE DC RETAIL NEWS:  Indianapolis-based Galyans Trading Co.
plans to open between three and six 100,000 square-foot stores in
the DC-area over the next two years.   Galyans sells sports
equipment and apparel in stores that feature batting cages,
basketball courts and climbing walls (WASHINGTON BUSINESS
JOURNAL, 11/17-23 issue).

     NL Rookie of the Year Hideo Nomo is giving card collecting
in Japan "a real boost," as fans in the Far East who never
collected before want Nomo cards, according to the S.F. EXAMINER.
U.S.-style trading cards have only been in Japan since '91, but
the boom intensified after Nomo's American debut.  Philip Block,
Publisher and Editor of Yakyu, a newsletter for fans of Japanese
baseball and baseball collectibles, says Nomo's popularity has
also caused a crossover of American fans looking for Japanese
collectibles (Lewis & Chapin, S.F. EXAMINER, 11/18).