CNBC's Allan Chernoff reported on the slow sales of MLB
merchandise since the strike. MLB Properties' Don Gibson: "We
are budgeted that we will be down from our prior year and it
could be anywhere from 30$ to 40% off in a worse case scenario."
Chernoff: "Sales from licensed products, everything from caps to
helmet phones, are in a deep slump" ("Sports View," 8/11)....NFL
Properties has signed a promotional agreement with the Classic
Sports Network. NFL throwbacks jerseys will be displayed during
Joe Namath's weekly show, "NFL Night at the Classics," and NFL
Throwbacks merchandise will be used in promotions
(NFL)....Rockies manager Don Baylor has patented a batting glove
that protects the top of the hitters hand with a piece of rubber
padding (Baltimore SUN, 8/13)....The name for the MLS team in San
Jose has been chosen, but is being kept a secret. Team President
Peter Bridgwater said he had "input on the name" but the final
decision rested with the league. Nike was "instrumental" in
selecting the name, logo, and colors (Dave Payne, SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 8/13)....IMG which runs the LPGA Ping/Welch's
Classic in Canton, MA, expects the tournament to go on next year.
IMG's Mike Savit said they have reached agreement with Ping and
Welch's to sponsor it again next year, and the dates will be in
early August again (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/11)....At the PGA
Championships at Riviera, NFL sponsor Payne Stewart "was without
a home team" in the L.A. area since the Raiders and Rams moved.
So he wore the colors of the Chargers (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/13)....ABC
News reported on the growing numbers playing golf. David Price
of American Golf Corp.: "Thirty and forty years ago, golfers
were noted as being the elite rich people in private clubs. Now
80% of golfers are public golfers" (ABC, 8/12).
