MLB Properties unveiled an alternative version of its logo
at the Super Show, which BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton writes is "part
of an effort through which MLB will try to reacquaint itself with
kids." ... Former Logo 7 marketer Channing Souther has pending
deals to distribute "optically correct" face shields for football
and hockey. Under the name One Xcel, hockey equipment maker
Karhu will distribute the shield to hockey players, while
football helmet maker Riddell will try to get the shield onto the
helmets of NFL stars (BRANDWEEK, 2/12 issue)....Raybestos Brakes,
the "official brakes of NASCAR," will expand its NASCAR
involvement by becoming sponsor of the Rookie of the Year Award
on NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series starting in '96
(NASCAR)....Fresh Express will be presenting sponsor for the
Corel Champions in West Palm Beach, and Excedrin has joined the
Champions Tour as a supporting sponsor for the West Palm Beach
event, the Big Bear Champions in Columbus, Ohio, and the Citibank
Champions in New York (Champions Tour)....The new turf going down
in St. Louis' Busch Stadium is produced by the N.C.-based Nutri-
Turf, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH,
2/13)....On Friday, Wheaties is scheduled to introduce a
commemorative Negro Leagues cereal box and donate $10,000 to
benefit former players, the league's museum in Kansas City, and
the Jackie Robinson Foundation (Steve Zipay, NEWSDAY,
2/13)....Jack Nicklaus told GOLFWEEK that Golden Bear
International is considering an IPO (GOLFWEEK, 2/10
issue)....Faced with fourth quarter losses of $1.96M and a share
value decline of 65%, Score Board, Inc. has announced plans to
drop 20% of its work force in an effort to cut costs and boost
revenue (MIAMI HERALD, 2/9)....NFL Properties VP/Retail Licensing
Jim Connelly predicts NFL jersey sales growing as much as 50% in
'96 (SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS, 2/96 issue).
