CONVERSE AND CHRIS WEBBER ENGAGE IN SHOE TALKS

     Converse "is hoping to sign Chris Webber to a shoe
contract," according to J.A. Adande in the WASHINGTON POST.
Converse Eastern Manager of Sports Marketing John Averett, on
Webber: "I would love to have him.  If you're in the Washington
area, you're very aware of the charisma that he has. ...  he can
turn that smile on and laugh with the little kids."  Webber's
agent, Falasha Erwin, met with Converse CEO Glenn Rupp on
Wednesday.  Webber wore Nike's during his first three NBA
seasons, but talks "essentially ended" when he said he had
philosophical differences with Nike's pricing policies.  Nike
spokesperson Erin Patton: "In fact, the price point of the shoe
was never raised during our negotiations.  Nike decided to
terminate the relationship in part due to past difficulties in
securing Chris's commitment to fulfill obligations and his
reluctance to be a willing participant in our process."  Erwin is
also talking with other shoe companies (WASHINGTON POST, 11/9).