DUNLOP SLAZENGER SOLD FOR $462M

     Sporting goods manufacturer Dunlop Slazenger is being sold
to a management buy-out team by owner BTR for more than $462M,
according to this morning's FINANCIAL TIMES.  David Wighton
reports the deal had been expected for some time, as the company
"sat oddly with BTR's policy of focusing on core manufacturing
businesses."  Dunlop Slazenger, still recovering from the
recession and "the downturn in the German tennis market," has
been criticized for failing to "exploit the strength of its brand
name."  Dunlop Slazenger, the self-proclaimed No. 1 tennis ball
maker, owns Maxfli and has Puma's UK distribution rights
(FINANCIAL TIMES, 12/20).