NFL: OH-based Custom Edge has been licensed by the NFL
to produce new seven-inch bean-filled plush animals dressed
in NFL jerseys. They will be distributed nationally in mid-
October (NFL). The NFL also announced that over 3,000
parents and children have attended inaugural Kmart NFL
Family Days this month in Jacksonville, Dallas and DC. The
Family Days include stadium tours, skills clinics and
autographs sessions. Children registered in August for the
chance to be selected to attend. Upcoming family days will
be in Charlotte, Oakland, New York and Detroit (NFL).
NASCAR: Racing Champions Corp., marketer of die-cast
racing vehicle replicas and adult collectibles, announced a
new multi-year licensing deal with Bill Elliott. Elliott
will appear in the company's first-ever TV commercial
(Racing Champions). Elliott also joined Union 76, Circle K
convenience stores and Phoenix Int'l Raceway in kicking-off
"76/NASCAR Month" throughout Arizona (Tosco Marketing Co.).
GENERAL: Lou Holtz will be the voice of new PSAs
supporting the "America's Promise" mentoring initiative,
which will run during CBS' weekend college football coverage
(CBS Sports)....Sources say the while the MLS Revolution's
"attempt to acquire" the Clash's Eric Wynalda was "negated"
by the league, Reebok, which sponsors the Revolution, is
"promoting" Wynalda and wants to bring him to a "successful
team next season" (Frank Dell'Apa, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/26).
