Cubs RF Sammy Sosa announced plans to "produce his own
line of athletic shoes," according to the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
The shoes, which will "start at only" $14.95, will be
marketed under the Buster Brown & Co. group of Brown Shoe
Co. Sosa "also has a deal with Fila USA to market cross-
training shoes, but the Buster Brown contract is his only
one with a children's shoe company" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES,
11/30). Styles of the Sammy Sosa line will feature his
signature and a "representation of his trademark 'post-home-
run hop'" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 11/30).
SNEAKING IN NOTES: In Boston, Greg Gatlin reports that
Reebok's new Traxtar "smart shoes" for kids debuts this
Saturday at a cost of $55-65 (see THE DAILY, 11/10). The
shoes feature a computer chip and a motion sensor, along
with electronic beeps and flashing lights, to "measure a
child's sprinting and jumping ability." Reebok will ship
25,000-50,000 pairs during the holiday season, with "more
next year" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/30)....MA-based Converse has
sold its Japanese trademark "for products other than shoes"
to Itochu Corp. for $25M (N.Y. TIMES, 11/30).
