FINANCE NOTES

          Phoenix-based Action Performance Cos. said that it
     "does not [foresee] a return to profitability" until FY'01,
     as the company "is in the midst of a restructuring and is
     taking cost reduction steps to improve its performance." 
     The company also "intends to continue buying back shares on
     the open market in accordance" with its previously announced
     repurchase program (REUTERS, 10/16)....The SPORTSBUSINESS
     JOURNAL's Bill King reports that Omnicom Group recently
     bought Charlotte-based The Motorsports Decision Group, which
     manages motorsports accounts for Square D Co., The Home
     Depot Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Crew Chief Club, EA Sports
     and Riddell Sports (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/16)....PA-
     based Dick's Sporting Goods has bought out its partners and
     its online affiliate, dSports.com, and brought the NY-based
     operation into its offices in PA.  In the move, 19 employees
     "lost their jobs," and another 11 "were absorbed" into the
     organization (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 10/18).