MARKETPLACE ROUND-UP

          The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Langdon Brockinton reports
     that National Car Rental has become the official car-rental
     company of the U.S. Figure Skating Association and the U.S.
     Figure Skating Team.  As part of its deal, National will get
     commercial time on several figure skating events airing on
     ABC, including the U.S. Championships in February.  National
     will also receive in-arena signage on each broadcast
     (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 9/14 issue)....Safeco said it
     "remains committed" to sponsoring the LPGA Tour stop in
     Seattle, even though the company is paying $40M for naming
     rights at the Mariners new stadium.  Safeco VP Gordon
     Hamilton said the stadium naming and golf tournament are
     done "for two different reasons" (SEATTLE TIMES, 9/14).