DON'T FEAR OVEREXPOSURE OF WAYNE: In Calgary, Jim
Taylor writes under the header, "Too Much Gretzky? Are They
Kidding." Taylor, on criticism that Gretzky is overexposing
himself with his recent endorsement deals: "The problem, I
suspect, is that although some of the commercials were taped
months ago, they all seem to have surfaced at once. It's
almost impossible to spend an entire evening watching
Canadian TV without seeing the former No. 99 extolling the
virtues of everything from Tylenol to breakfast cereal. ...
Somehow, it's created a backlash. ... As to the burning
questions of his overexposure, leave it at this: If he
wasn't special, who'd be asking?" (CALGARY SUN, 10/20).
NOTES: Lance Armstrong will be featured on a new
Wheaties box, marking the first ever bicycling champion to
adorn the cover of the cereal (Wheaties)....GOLF WORLD
BUSINESS reports that David Duval may leave Tommy Hilfiger
for an apparel deal with Mossimo and that Vijay Singh is
"considering leaving" Wilson for Cleveland Golf and is
seeking a seven-figure club deal (GOLF WORLD BUSINESS,
10/22).....Hardee's will continue to serve as a corporate
partner for the Big South Conference's '99-2000 college
basketball season (Big South).