CNN's Beverly Schuch noted that Adidas denied any
involvement with Nick Leeson, the 28-year-old responsible for the
Barings Bank collapse. Leeson wore an adidas hat and sweatshirt
while being escorted back to Singapore. An adidas spokesperson
said the idea it would sponsor Leeson is "ludicrous"
("Moneyline," 11/23). Reuters noted Adidas officials "choked
back giggles" when asked about a possible association with Leeson
(GLOBE & MAIL, 11/24)....Retail merchandising of NBA products in
Canada could hit C$100M by the end of '95, according to Ken
Derrett, Dir of Marketing and Media programs for NBA Canada.
Derrett, who hopes to extend the game's popularity in Canada via
the 19-24 age bracket, says his office has "had discussions" with
CTV and YTV about the "possibility of producing joint programs
for young people" (TORONTO SUN, 11/26)....Reebok shares fell to a
52-week low on heavy volume last Wednesday, as Chieftain Capital
Management sold 4.5 million shares. A second major shareholder,
Warburg Pincus Asset Management, also reportedly has reduced its
Reebok holdings by 75% to 300,000 shares. Reebok finished down
$1 Wednesday (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/24). Reebok closed at 28
1/4 on Friday (THE DAILY)....Score Board Inc., a sports
memorabilia company, reports increases in profits and sales
during the third quarter, crediting Cal Ripken for some of its
successes (The Score Board)....The Rockets opened a team store in
Houston's Memorial City mall last week to large crowds. Big
sellers: hats, T-shirts and the club's blue replica jersey
(HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/25)....Knicks Forward Charles Oakley has
opened a car wash/laundry house in Ease Cleveland, that is joined
by a nail salon owned by Oakley's sister. Plans are in the works
for a hair salon and deli, with possibly a youth complex in the
Oakley development (NEWSDAY, 11/26)....Richard Petty is the
favorite in a Hornets-backed contest to see who will replace
Alonzo Mourning on a mural on Charlotte's First Union Bank
building (BOSTON HERALD, 11/23)....Heat forward Kevin Willis is
designing two suits for coach Pat Riley. Willis, who has his own
clothing line called "Kevin Willis for Black and White," will
charge Riley full price -- $600-700 (MIAMI HERALD,
11/25).....Ahmad Rashad hosted "Inside Stuff" in full Damon
Stoudamire Raptors gear ("Inside Stuff," 11/25).
