Nike's uniforms on day one of the Australian Open "weren't a smash hit." Some of Nike's male players were "wearing salmon pink shirts and shorts, with a diagonal black strip across the chest." Fans were "quick to chime in with their thoughts as many were disappointed with Nike’s designs" (HERALDSUN.com, 1/15).
BOARD GAMES: In L.A., David Wharton writes if the Pyeongchang Games serve as a "watershed moment" in U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim's career, "athleticism will be only part of the equation." The U.S. State Department recently "enlisted Kim, a first-generation Korean American, for a goodwill tour of South Korea." NBC has "placed her at the forefront of its promotional spots, and corporate sponsors love her connection with a young demographic." Wharton: "Sheer personality could make this self-proclaimed 'girly girl' a crossover star in the vein of fellow snowboarder Shaun White" (L.A. TIMES, 1/15).
BOOM SHAKALAKA! ESPN.com's Law Murray noted EA Sports rebooted the "NBA Jam" franchise in '10 and still has the rights, but Tim Kitzrow, the original voice of the game, is "working with Microsoft to possibly get the game resurrected for the 25th anniversary." Kitzrow: "There is movement in the works. ... So I'm hoping that we get a remake that does justice to the original." Game creator Mark Turmell also "hopes that a reboot could happen this year." But he "doesn't have a role in any plans at the moment" (ESPN.com, 1/13).
