International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel's
visit to Portland, OR, on Tuesday, was reportedly to meet with
with Nike officials, according to the GLOBE & MAIL's William
Houston. The IIHF's deal with Reebok has expired (Toronto GLOBE
& MAIL, 5/25)....In the current issue of SI, "Scorecard" examines
Reebok's deal with 14-year-old tennis star Venus Williams,
comparing it to a similar contract with then-phenom Jennifer
Capriati. Reebok is credited with paying Williams despite the
fact she will play in only three tournaments, thereby not
"overextending" her to fulfill schedule requirements. But, SI
adds, "she has done nothing to merit such riches except provide
one tantalzing glimpse of raw talent" (SI, 5/29 issue)....Walt
Disney announced an "unprecedented move by a major studio" as
they plan to make a motion picture that will be distributed
directly to video stores and bypass theaters. The movie will be
"Honey, I Shrunk the Parents" and star Rick Moranis (WALL STREET
JOURNAL, 5/25).... Timberland will reportedly switch ad agencies
from Mullen Advertising to BBDO, New York (BOSTON HERALD,
5/25)....CBS' Herb Weisbaum looked at the electronic game market,
including new machines by Sega, Nintendo, and Sony. Weisbaum
said not to expect the $400 price of the new Sega Saturn system
"to come down anytime soon" ("CBS This Morning," 5/25).
