I LOVE THESE STORES? NBA TO ENTER CROWDED RETAIL MARKET

          The NBA will open its first retail store, "complete
     with a small basketball court, next September at 666 Fifth
     Avenue, between 52d and 53d Streets" in NYC, according to
     the N.Y. TIMES' Real-Estate section.  The basement of the
     15,000-square-foot, three-level store "will have a small
     court, with bleachers for special events."   The building is
     going through a $15M renovation, but the league declined to
     reveal the costs of its renovation or lease terms.  The
     store will sell licensed NBA/WNBA products, "ranging from
     basketballs to home furnishings."  At the bottom of the 40-
     foot atrium is to be the court -- "the heart of the store --
     surrounded by bleachers and visible from the decks above
     it."  The NBA plans to offer "computer access to games from
     50 years ago" or current ones, and the store will have TV
     monitors featuring "games in progress, interviews and
     highlights" from NBA/WNBA games (N.Y. TIMES, 11/16).