MARKETPLACE ROUND-UP

The NFL will break an ad campaign next week during NBC''s NBA Finals coverage that will serve as a preview for the upcoming season. The two ads, created in-house, "are the first in an unfolding, summe

Tags: AFL, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, CFL, NBA, NBC, New York Islanders, NFL, PGA Tour, Ticketmaster, Washington Capitals

HAKEEM VS. SHAQ: THE NBA GETS ITS DREAM MATCH-UP

With the NBA Finals set to begin Wednesday, the match-up of Hakeem Olajuwom and Shaquile O''Neal is getting the marquee attention this morning. The contrast in styles between the two is as interesting

Tags: Coca-Cola, Converse, ESPN, Hewlett Packard, IMG, Indiana Pacers, McDonald's, NBA, NBC, Nike, Orlando Magic, PepsiCo, RDV Sports, Reebok, Walt Disney

MEDIA NOTES

BUSINESS WEEK reports that Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole told a group of regional Bell execs that he expects passage of the telecomm reform bill when he brings it to the floor this week (BUSINESS WE

Tags: Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, ESPN, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, NBA, NBC, News Corp./Fox, NFL, NHL, Palace Sports & Entertainment, Media, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Raptors, Walt Disney

RYKA FINDS A HOME; WOMEN'S SHOE MAKER GETS NEW OWNERSHIP

In a "last minute-effort to stay in business," Ryka Inc., the MA-based women''s athletic shoe company, agreed to sell a 40% stake to MR Acquisitions of King of Prussia, PA. Ryka will receive $8M in ne

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Mine will be more earthy and vulgar, I hope." -- Director Ron Shelton ("Bull Durham"), comparing his golf movie to another golf film planned by Clint Eastwood (L.A. TIMES, 6/4).

Tags: Front Page

MOTORSPORTS MARKETING NEWS

MBNA America Bank, N.A. has announced a multi-year sponsorship agreement for Dover Downs Int''l Speedway''s annual NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National weekend in September. The Grand National

Tags: Anheuser Busch, Int'l Speedway Corp., MBNA America Bank, NASCAR, R J Reynolds

BATTLE OVER CONTROL HOLDING JETS DEAL IN LIMBO

"Talks to keep the Jets in Winnipeg have turned into a battle over day-to-day control" over the team, writes John Douglas in this morning''s WINNIPEG FREE PRESS. Douglas reports that former majority o

Tags: Franchises, New York Jets, NHL

EXECUTIVE TRANSACTIONS

PAUL BEESTON has been appointed President & CEO of SkyDome Corp (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL)....BRAD BOWLING is now PR Supervisor at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was formerly the editor of Old Cars Week

Tags: NASCAR, People and Pop Culture

LUCY, I'M HOME! CLASSIC SHAQ PEPSI SPOT PREMIERS TONIGHT

A new Pepsi ad showing Shaquille O''Neal in classic footage with Lucille Ball, Cary Grant and Michael Landon premieres this evening on NBC''s prime time telecast of the Magic-Pacers. The 60-second ad,

Tags: BBDO, Indiana Pacers, NBA, NBC, Orlando Magic, PepsiCo, RDV Sports

WILSON TO JOIN ANOTHER RACQUET SPORT: PLATFORM TENNIS

Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has announced they will begin to manufacture platform tennis racquets. Platform tennis is played on a court one fourth the size of a tennis court and "enclosed to shield play

Tags: Wilson Sporting Goods