TWO ITALIANS TRYING TO MAKE A COMEBACK: FILA INKS CAPRIATI

          Fila and Jennifer Capriati "will attempt to help" each
     other "come back" with a three-year, multimillion-dollar
     endorsement deal, according to Lorraine Mirabella of the
     Baltimore SUN, who reports that Capriati "has the potential
     to earn a couple of million dollars a year depending on" her
     WTA Tour ranking.  Capriati will wear Fila shoes and
     apparel, appear in Fila ads, make personal appearances at
     retail stores and conduct children's tennis clinics at
     events.  Fila USA VP/Advertising & Sports Marketing Howe
     Burch, on Capriati, who began '99 as the WTA Tour's 139th
     ranked player and finished 23rd: "She's making a comeback,
     as we're making a comeback.  She shares our values.  She's
     resilient and determined to succeed.  We see Jennifer as a
     metaphor for what we're about as a company."  Mirabella
     writes that signing Capriati "represents somewhat of a shift
     for Fila," as the company "has been known for sponsoring
     fewer athletes than some rivals as well as for pursuing only
     the top echelon in a given sport" (Baltimore SUN, 12/21).