OCTAGON'S HOLIDAY SHOPPING PUTS IT ON THE GRIDIRON

          Octagon has acquired the CA-based football rep firm of
     Mike Sullivan and Jeff Sperbeck, adding a client roster of
     25 active and retired NFL players and coaches, including
     Ravens QB Trent Dilfer, Dolphins QB Damon Huard, Panthers RB
     William Floyd and Steelers LB Joey Porter, as well as
     retired NFLers John Elway, Jim Plunkett and Ronnie Lott. 
     Octagon's existing football clients include Steelers coach
     Bill Cowher, Falcons coach Dan Reeves and Saints QB Aaron
     Brooks.  Sullivan will serve as Octagon Dir of Football,
     while Sperbeck will be Assistant Dir of the division
     (Octagon).  The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Liz Mullen notes
     Sullivan "specializes in contract negotiation," and Sperbeck
     "specializes in marketing."  The move marks the "third
     athlete representation acquisition in the last two months"
     for Octagon, "capping off a strategic plan to establish a
     big presence in all four major" U.S. team sports.  But
     Mullen adds, "Octagon's buying spree is probably over, at
     least for now" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/18 issue).