'ZO TELLS NIKE TO PAY IT: Heat C Alonzo Mourning said
that he would forward the bill for the $5,000 fine the NBA
imposed on him for wearing white shoes instead of the
"required black team color" in Saturday's Pacers-Heat game
to Nike, because Nike failed to deliver the proper shoes on
time: "They will be getting the bill because it's their
fault. It's their bill" (SUN-SENTINEL, 3/25)....A PORTLAND
BUSINESS JOURNAL editorial notes Nike's improved earnings
report and writes that "some inside" are calling the
"turmoil" in Nike's executive ranks over the past year, that
has seen "lines of authority ... shifted ... nothing less
than a revolution. ... Nike learned from its mistakes. It
took a hard look at itself. Give them credit over there.
Nike is back" (PORTLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/22 issue).
OTHER NOTES: NBAP has reached agreement with its
replica jersey (Champion) and poster (Costacos, Starline)
licensees to allow them to use Michael Jordan's name and
likeness through the end of the NBA season (SPORTS
COLLECTORS DIGEST, 3/25)....The NTRA has inked a deal with
First USA Bank to issue an NTRA Visa affinity card. Net
royalties from card usage will go to NTRA Charities
(NTRA).....AIM Technologies has signed the MLS Galaxy to its
FanCard program, designed to reward customers for attending
events. Other franchises that use the FanCard program are
the Spurs, A's and the AA-Norwich Navigators (AIM).
