NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT NIKE'S SMART MOUTHS TO NBC'S ANN MEYERS

          NBC WNBA announcer Ann Meyers said that the new WNBA-
     Nike spots, which feature little girls with "a smart mouth,"
     lack "respect," according to David Barron of the HOUSTON
     CHRONICLE.  Meyers: "As a woman, as a mother and as an
     athlete, I didn't appreciate it."  Meyers, on Nike's NBA
     "Fun Police" spots, in particular one that teaches young
     girls how to "talk trash": "I'm totally not for that.  I
     know that as advertisers that they are looking for something
     that will catch the eye of young people, but to continue to
     show disrespect is wrong."  Meyers said her concerns "are
     not limited to advertisers," and include NBA players and her
     own network.  Meyers: "Scottie Pippen's comment that 'Oh,
     Utah ought to wait for the WNBA to start' -- I would like to
     see more respect.  I would like to see ESPN highlights. 
     They're one of the networks doing the games.  Did you see
     any highlights the other night?  ... I'd like to see NBC
     show more highlights" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/15).