DEALS: Grant Hill has signed an endorsement deal with
TAG Heuer Int'l SA, maker of luxury watches (DETROIT FREE
PRESS, 2/11)....The Jets have enlisted Oracle Corp., Compaq
Computer Corp. and Endeavor Software to develop a "video-
game-like" training program to enhance their playbook. An
Oracle spokesperson said the company has "similar projects
in the works" for other NFL teams (CRAIN'S N.Y. BUSINESS,
2/9 issue)....Acclaim Entertainment has re-signed Brett
Favre to a new endorsement deal. Favre will serve as the
spokesperson for NFL Quarterback Club '99 (Acclaim).
NOTES: In N.Y., Steve Zipay: "Worst move by a
supposedly unbiased broadcaster: ESPN's Chris Berman in a
Gatorade spot singing 'Be Like Mike'" (NEWSDAY, 2/11)....New
Balance CEO Jim Davis is interviewed in SGB. He feels the
"timing is right" to increase New Balance's ad budget to
$13M in '98, up from $4M in '97. Davis: "[T]he plan is to
increase our market share by one percent a year over the
next three or four years" (SGB, 2/4 issue)....IL-based
Racing Champions will launch its first-ever TV spot during
CBS' Daytona 500 coverage this weekend (Racing Champions).
