The FTC's "stunning retreat" of proposed "relaxed
     standards" concerning the "Made in U.S.A." label was examined
     by Eric Schmitt of the N.Y. TIMES.  The commission said last
     week it was dropping its proposal, recommended by New
     Balance, among others, after "an avalanche of criticism from
     organized labor, state officials, consumer groups, more than
     250 members of Congress and a large chunk of the nation's
     small businesses."  Schmitt wrote that the "ferocity of the
     response -- part grass roots, part high technology -- shocked
     the commission," as the issue turned into an "often-times
     emotional referendum on product quality, truth in labeling,
     the power of unions and old-fashioned patriotism."  Schmitt
     added that "conspicuous by its absence" was a well-organized
     campaign by any companies that supported the proposed
     changes, including shoe manufacturers and bicycle companies. 
     DC lobbyist Jason Clawson: "Where industry failed is that
     companies tried to do everything through trade associations
     and didn't step forward themselves" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/6).

          PROS AND CONS: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick noted Converse
     dropping Latrell Sprewell for behavior "inexcusable and
     unsportsmanlike."  Mushnick: "What a farce.  This is the same
     Converse that last season won a bidding war with Nike for
     [Dennis] Rodman" (N.Y. POST, 12/7).  But in Miami, Greg Cote
     gave "cheers" to Converse and told readers, "Show your
     appreciation.  Take out a loan and buy a pair of Converse
     shoes" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/6)....Carolyn Davidson, who created
     Nike's swoosh logo, was featured on "Extra."  Nike CEO Phil
     Knight said he didn't like the design when he first saw it:
     "That's just my nature.  I don't ever like anything"
     ("Extra," 12/5)....Reds GM Jim Bowden contacted Nike "to
     suggest the repositioning" of spikes on the bottom of its
     cleats after three Reds players who wear Nikes have had bone
     and foot injuries (CINCINNATI POST, 12/7).
          OTHER NOTES: In Philadelphia, Bobby Hoying jerseys have
     become "this year's version of the Tickle Me Elmo doll ...
     high-demand, low supply."  The Eagles made Hoying jerseys
     available through their AOL site on Wednesday and sold 21
     jerseys in six hours (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/6)....Mark
     Messier shot a new TV commercial for Lay's Potato Chips that
     will run nationally in the new year (VANCOUVER SUN, 12/7).
          NOTES: Imperial Tobacco announced Friday its decision to
     pull $50M in sports and cultural sponsorships effective
     October '98, putting the finances of sports and cultural
     events across Canada "into uncertainty."  Imperial Tobacco
     parent company, Imasco, is a "major" sponsor of Toronto's
     Molson Indy (TORONTO SUN, 12/8)....Despite selling its in-
     stadium signage to Casio for World Cup '98, A-B will air
     three TV spots on network and cable TV World Cup broadcasts
     as part of its ad campaign (AD AGE, 12/8).

          Did you ever wonder exactly who is wearing what on their
     feet in the NBA?  If so, we've got some answers. THE DAILY
     found that of the 403 players in the NBA as of Friday,
     November 28 -- including those on either the injured or
     suspended list -- 262 currently wear Nike shoes, while a
     combination of 10 companies provides shoes for the remaining
     135 NBA players.  Reebok outfits 75 players, followed by
     Converse with 16, Fila and adidas with 14 each, And 1 with
     eight and Apex with three.  Karl Kani provides sneakers for
     two players, while Spalding, Nautica and Asics each have one
     player.  Six players -- Greg Anthony, Keith Closs, James
     Collins, Tom Chambers, Stephen Howard and Aaron Williams --
     are currently testing different shoe brands (THE DAILY).
          METHODOLOGY: THE DAILY compiled these figures with the
     cooperation of Reebok, Converse, adidas, Fila, And 1, Apex,
     Karl Kani, Asics, Nautica, Spalding and NBA teams. 
     Information about Nike was gathered independently.  NOTE: The
     players wearing of a certain brand does not necessarily mean
     they are under contract with that particular company.  
          LOOK FOR MORE: All this week THE DAILY will feature the
     brand, model and shoe size of the NBA players wearing brands
     other than Nike.  Look for a listing of Reebok's 75 NBA
     players in Tuesday's issue.  The following breaks down each
     company's share of the entire league (THE DAILY):

          

  
 
    
 
      
 
        COMPANY
    
    
 
      
 
        PLAYERS
    
    
 
      
% 
        OF NBA
    
  
  
 
    
Nike
    
 
      
262
    
    
 
      
65%
    
  
  
 
    
Reebok
    
 
      
75
    
    
 
      
19%
    
  
  
 
    
Converse
    
 
      
16
    
    
 
      
4%
    
  
  
 
    
adidas
    
 
      
14
    
    
 
      
3%
    
  
  
 
    
Fila
    
 
      
14
    
    
 
      
3%
    
  
  
 
    
And 
      1
    
 
      
8
    
    
 
      
2%
    
  
  
 
    
Apex
    
 
      
3
    
    
 
      
<1%
    
  
  
 
    
Karl 
      Kani
    
 
      
2
    
    
 
      
<1%
    
  
  
 
    
Asics
    
 
      
1
    
    
 
      
<1%
    
  
  
 
    
Nautica
    
 
      
1
    
    
 
      
<1%
    
  
  
 
    
Spalding
    
 
      
1
    
    
 
      
<1%
    
  

        
        Print | Tags: And 1, Converse, Fila USA, NBA, Nike, Reebok, Russell Athletic, Washington Nationals
    

          When TriStar's "Jerry Maguire" appears on Showtime next
     month, it will be 47 seconds longer than it was in theatres,
     according to the AP.  The film will now end with a fictional
     Reebok commercial that Writer-Director Cameron Crowe had
     originally edited out.  While "nobody is saying why the
     commercial is back," it was the "core complaint of a product-
     placement lawsuit" filed by Reebok against Sony's TriStar
     Pictures, which was settled in September.  Reebok and
     TriStar, which confirmed last week that a new version of
     "Jerry Maguire" will be broadcast on January 17, both refused
     to discuss the deal.  It was "unclear" whether Crowe had
     approved the change (AP/Baltimore SUN, 12/7).