AS THE OFFSEASON BEGINS, NFL OFF-THE-FIELD NEWS HEATS UP

     With the 49ers set to wear Reebok apparel next season, Nike
is looking re-sign QB Steve Young and outfit him next season in
Nike apparel "from head to toe" -- in Nike caps, outerwear and
shoes.  Terry Lefton notes in BRANDWEEK that under NFL rules,
Young may only be granted an exemption from wearing Reebok if
Nike uses him as a national spokesperson, something that Young's
representative, Fred Fried of ISI, says must happen for Young to
return to Nike.  Logo 7 has already resigned Troy Aikman to a
four-year extension.  Logo 7 President Tom Shine:  "Troy's gone
from delivering our message to being our message" (BRANDWEEK, 2/5
issue).
     OTHER NFL NOTES:  Sunglasses may become the latest equipment
to make the mandatory wear-list on the sidelines.  Just like caps
and jackets, Ray-Ban wants an NFL sponsorship to include
sidelines TV exposure....Visa is working to make its NFL
sponsorship deal "as ambush-proof as possible," as it has
purchased long-term signage at the next three Super Bowl
stadiums:  The Superdome, Jack Murphy Stadium and 3Com Park.
Visa "is looking to forge closer ties" with NFL
licensing....Nike's Pro Line jerseys for the Broncos, Jags,
Raiders and Cowboys were on display at the Super Bowl, each
sporting on-sleeve swooshes (Terry Lefton, BRANDWEEK, 2/5).