DID ADIDAS MAKE AN IMPRESSION? In studies conducted by
CT-based SRi USA for adidas, about 60% of girl soccer
players surveyed in October '98 named both adidas and Nike
as WWC sponsors. In April '99, 63% of respondents
recognized adidas as a WWC sponsor and 54% named Nike. At
the start of the WWC, 76% named adidas and 60% named Nike.
adidas is a WWC sponsor, while Nike is a U.S. team sponsor.
Additionally, in research conducted at WWC game venues, 24%
of attendees mentioned adidas first as a sponsor, while 14%
named Coca-Cola, 9% Budweiser and 3% Nike (SRi USA).
NOTES: Analysts "expect" the new NikeTown Denver, which
will have about 60,000 items for sale when it opens next
week, to do $18-19M in annual sales (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS,
7/21)....In S.F., Tony Cooper writes that the "futuristic
uniforms" featured in the MLB/Century 21 "Turn Ahead the
Clock Night" promo (see THE DAILY, 7/21) at the Padres-
Giants game last night included "broad shoulders, no
sleeves, tiny numbers in the back with names running along
the side and a huge logo on the front. The Giants were
scheduled to wear orange undershirts to complete the ghastly
ensemble, but that idea was mercifully nixed" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 7/22). In S.D., Chris Jenkins calls the uniforms
"somebody's hideous idea of what baseball gear will look
like in 2021" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/22).
VIDEO GAMES VAULT: Acclaim Sports has re-signed Packers
QB Brett Favre to an exclusive multi-year endorsement deal
to serve as a spokesperson for its "NFL QB Club 2000" video
game, due out in August (Acclaim). Fox Sports Interactive
signed Hawks G Steve Smith to endorse its "NBA Basketball
2000" video game, due out this fall, and signed Stars C Mike
Modano for its "NHL Championship 2000" video game. Modano
will do media interviews, participate in retail appearances
and promos, and host Internet chats at foxsports.com to
support the effort (Fox Sports Interactive).