CA-based athletic-shoe maker Skechers "took over the
enormous exhibit space" that was occupied by Nike at the '98
Super Show in Atlanta and "turned it into a very convincing
imitation of a techno nightclub," according to Lillian Lee
Kim of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. Meanwhile, NY-based
apparel company Everlast "again ... set up a mock boxing
ring as the focus of its booth" and brought out "a posse of
wasp-waisted young women to perform a dance routine while
wearing boxing gloves" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/13).
SHOW NOTES: Visa named Gart Sports the recipient of its
"Visa NFL Retailer of the Year" award (Visa)....In Atlanta,
Patti Bond reported that GA-based retailer Athlete's Foot
signed a deal with Dominican Republic-based Sportec S.A. to
"add a minimum" of 42 stores in Central America (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 2/13)....REUTERS reported that NBA
Commissioner David Stern "offered no apologies to the
sportswear industry" at the Super Show on Friday. Stern
said NBA "sales are down 50 percent," and added, "You can't
shut down for a period of time and not expect losses"
(REUTERS, 2/12)....Indians 2B Roberto Alomar was at the show
for glove-sponsor Rawlings....PowerBar introduced a new
sports drink called "Perform" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/15).
...About 400 show attendees "stood in line, waiting for" Rod
Laver, who made his first public appearance since suffering
a stroke in August (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/14)....SLOC
Manager of Advertising & Promotions Gary Johnson said that
buyers stopping by the SLOC's booth "seemed to understand
the situation" of the controversy around Salt Lake City's
bid for the 2002 Olympics. Johnson: "And they're sincere in
their discussions that we have taken care of the problem."
Salt Lake "aims to raise about" 4% of its $1.45B budget from
the sale of licensed products (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 2/16).
