Wayne Gretzky, who began playing in Nike's Air Accel
skates this season, "has not even had discussions with Nike
regarding an endorsement contract," according to Andy
Bernstein of SGB. Bernstein reports "speculation that
Gretzky could become a Nike athlete again -- he was with the
company prior to '92 -- is hard to avoid considering that
his contract with Easton expires this summer." Gretzky's
agent, IMG's Mike Barnett said talks "are continuing" with
Easton. Gretzky has been without a footwear endorsement deal
since his pact with L.A. Gear ended in '96 (SGB, 6/2 issue).
NAGANO NEWS: SGB also reports that with the NHL serving
as the licensing rep for both USA Hockey and the Olympic
hockey competition for the '98 Nagano Winter Games, NHLE Dir
of Licensing & Marketing Brian Jennings "said first product
shipments will probably occur in mid-November, in hopes of
seizing upon some pre-holiday, pre-Olympic hype." Although
Nike carries the license for authentic jerseys through its
deal with the IIHF, "other vendors may be licensed for
replica jerseys or similar product" (SGB, 6/2 issue).
