NICE THREADS: NIKE REPORTEDLY TO BECOME NBA AND MLB SUPPLIER

     Nike will be named an official team supplier for the NBA and
MLB, starting with the NBA next season, according to  "reliable
sources" of SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS.  Reebok and Starter also
will "likely" have doors opened "as long-time jersey supply
exclusives expire" and leagues continue "to link licensing
contracts to mega-marketing deals."  Insiders tell SGB that Nike
will outfit more than half of the 28 MLB teams, and is also
"reportedly on the verge" of signing "a dozen of the most coveted
NBA franchises."  Nike's access to "the pick of the litter" has
reportedly angered other "contenders, and may have put a wrench
in NBA negotiations with Reebok."  Insiders predict that multi-
tiered marketing agreements will be incorporated into most of the
new licensing agreements (SPORTING GOODS BUSINESS, 9/96 issue).