AS LONG AS VINNY VECCHIONE ISN'T THE REFEREE, WE'RE BUYING

     Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal will go one-on-one for
a $1M purse in Taco Bell's "War on the Floor" at the Trump Taj
Mahal in Atlantic City on September 30th.  The event will be
available via pay-per-view on Showtime Entertainment Television
for anywhere from $19.95-29.95.  In Houston, Michael Murphy
writes, "To top it off, there will be no cornermen to stop the
contest after 89 seconds."  The format will consist of 10-two
minute rounds, each worth $100,000, with a 12-second shot clock.
Also being discussed is an "undercard" featuring two other
"highly visible NBA players."  For Taco Bell, the event is a
continuation of the marketing strategy that began with the Hard
Taco/Soft Taco challenge that ran after the NBA Finals in June.
Taco Bell spokesperson Amy Sherwood: "America was fascinated with
the potential (of a one-on-one duel) when we introduced the
Double Decker campaign" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/24).  Taco Bell is
putting up the money and will spend "about twice that to promote
the event" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/24).  USA TODAY's Greg Boeck writes the
event "offers everything but Don King" (USA TODAY, 8/24).  ESPN
notes that, because of the lockout, the NBA cannot stop the event
("SportsCenter," 8/24).  Taco Bell ran full-page ads in today's
N.Y. TIMES and USA TODAY.
     JORDAN RECHARGES:  Rayovac's deal with Michael Jordan is
profiled by Melanie Wells of USA TODAY.  The $14M campaign for
Rayovac Renewal recharger is Jordan's first TV effort for the
company since he was signed in April.  Ads are themed "Play it
Smart" and began on cable this week.  Rayovac signed Jordan to a
10-year, $10M deal endorsement deal after he rejoined the Bulls
in April.  Jordan appears throughout the ads and also narrates
them (USA TODAY, 8/24).
     WILL SPURS SIP FROM HAKEEM'S WELL?  Hakeem's new product,
Pure Tejano Natural Spring Water, was introduced in San Antonio
yesterday.  The water is aimed at the Hispanic market.  Pure
Tejano is a division of Houston-based World Class Waters, and
Olajuwon is 50/50 partner and Chair of the company (SAN ANTONIO
EXPRESS NEWS, 8/24).