FOR REEBOK, WILL FRANCIS BE THE ANSWER TO THE ANSWER, MAN?

          Reebok has inked a three-year endorsement deal with
     Rockets rookie G Steve Francis, according to Terry Lefton of
     BRANDWEEK, who reports that sources "close to" Francis said
     that he "would receive a base of a bit more than" $1M a year
     from Reebok.  Francis "will be used to relaunch the outdoor
     'Blacktop' shoe," which Reebok sold in the early '90s.  The
     campaign, set to launch next spring, is "centered" on actor
     Sinbad and "may include" apparel.  Lefton writes since 76ers
     G Allen Iverson's "Answer" shoe has been getting "less
     support from Reebok lately, some wonder why" Reebok would
     sign the "biggest rookie sneaker deal of the year."  Reebok
     VP/Marketing Pete Roby: "We have been cutting endorsers, but
     our position was always to look at everything available and
     make the move if it's something we think will help our
     business.  As the basketball category starts to recover, we
     think that's the case here."  Francis "will start the season
     wearing" Reebok's "Velocity" shoe (BRANDWEEK, 10/25 issue).