ShortTakes

Diamonds in the City, a company started by MLB player Eric Davis, unveiled a new RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) clothing line. Licensed through MLB in conjunction with Starter, the RBI line will be available at retail through JCPenney and Footaction in the spring and at selected team shops throughout the season. Majestic Athletic signed a new five-year deal with MLB Properties to produce replica jerseys, including imprintables and knits, making Majestic and Russell Corp. the only two licensees in this category. Also, as reported in SGB on September 14, 1998, New Era Cap Company will introduce a new Authentic Diamond Collection mesh batting practice on field that will match the players' batting practice jerseys. Many clubs will use new or secondary marks with color combinations that are different from the game caps normally worn. Antigua, Just Memorabilia, OT Sports and Spotlight Apparel have joined the Minor League Baseball licensing program, which grew in revenue by 8.1 percent last year.
Mattel has secured the exclusive license to produce Michael Jordan action figures through a partnership with Upper Deck. According to Bruce Stein, president of Mattel Worldwide, this is the "first time since 1996 that Jordan has been featured in any line of collectible action figures." Jordan will be replicated in three action figure sizes: 3-1/2 (SRP: $3.49), 6 (SRP: $6.99) and 13 (SRP: $29.99) inches tall.
Speedway Motorsports and Action Performance signed a five-year comprehensive sponsorship and licensing agreement that grants Action Performance the trackside licensing and merchandising rights for NASCAR's Winston Cup and Busch Grand National race events, including exclusive rights to market and sell commemorative event diecast vehicles. (Apparel, Auto Sports, Licensing)