The NBA, which saw its Jam Session grow from 40,000 people
and 18 sponsors during All-Star Weekend in '94 to 120,000 people
and 29 sponsors in '95, is already accepting sponsorship requests
for next year. But NBA spokesperson Kelly McComb notes that with
the league's 18 sponsors and 150 licensees getting right of first
refusal, "there may not be room for everyone" (Karen Hunter, N.Y.
DAILY NEWS, 2/16). ....Sporting goods stores made strong
productivity gains over the five-year period from 1987-92,
according to the NSGA's analysis of the Census Retail Trade data.
In five key categories -- sales, number of stores, number of
employees, sales per store and sales per employee -- sporting
goods stores showed higher increases than the general retail
trade (NSGA)....Haagen-Dazs will use the PGA Senior Tour's GTE
Suncoast Classic as an opportunity to market its new fat-free
Sorbet Bar (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 2/16)....Sportmart Inc. announced it
expects 4th quarter sales to be down 3% from last year due to
"unseasonably warm weather" and flooding in CA where about half
of the chain's outlets are located (Sportmart)....The city of
Pittsburgh announced plans for the 1995 Thrift Drug Women's
Invitational, a new int'l bicycle race to be held May 21. The
race is part of the Tour of America, the premier series of
international bicycle races in the U.S., and will be produced by
ICP/Pittsburgh, an affiliate of ISL Sports & Co. USA (Thrift
Drug).
