Hoping to "revitalize" the NFL's Quarterback Club (QBC)
"with a youth injection," Chargers QB Ryan Leaf will be the
first rookie admitted to the club pending QBC membership
ratification, according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK.
Lefton writes that the decision "probably has more than a
little bit to do with the fact" that Leaf is repped by NJ-
based ISI, an agency headed by former NFL exec Frank Vuono,
who created the QBC and formerly held an interest in the
organization. Lefton adds that Colts QB Peyton Manning is
also "expected to be a member shortly," and that Raiders CB
Charles Woodson could become the second defensive player to
join QBC, following Junior Seau (BRANDWEEK, 4/27 issue).
NOTES: Lefton also reports that official MLB on-field
cap provider New Era has taken a license from the MLBPA and
will try to extend the "shelf life and stardraw of its All-
Star game lids." The deal allows New Era to create special
"5150" hats bearing the signature and uniform numbers of
each All-Star player, along with MLB's All-Star Game logo.
The caps will sell for $25-30, up from the $20-25 cost of an
official New Era cap, and be shipped to retail following
All-Star selections....True Value Hardware and Bubble Yum
have signed on as sponsors of MLB's new Yard Ball, four-on-
four plastic ball event (BRANDWEEK, 4/27 issue).