VA COMPANY PUTS KAPPA ON TWO MAJOR SOCCER SPONSORSHIP DEALS

          VA-based apparel and footwear company Kappa USA signed
     Galaxy MF Cobi Jones to an endorsement deal for its apparel
     and footwear lines.  Jones made an appearance on behalf of
     Kappa at the Super Show in Atlanta on Saturday.  In
     addition, the Italian Football Federation has awarded
     sponsorship of the Italian national soccer teams to Kappa's
     parent, the Basic Group.  The four-year deal, which includes
     the '99 Women's World Cup, the European Championships and
     the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, makes the Basic
     Group the official supplier for technical sporting equipment
     of the teams.  With the deal, the teams will wear a visible
     logo of a sportswear sponsor for the first time (Kappa).