Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993 TAG: 9310070253
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
"The hottest thing is the videos," said Gary Greene, manager of Champs Sporting Goods store at Valley View Mall.
Greene said he sold five copies Wednesday of "Threepeat," the story of Jordan's third consecutive championship with the Chicago Bulls - "a lot" more than usual. Other requested titles: "Tobacco Road," an ACC basketball history that includes Jordan's game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Tournament; and "Airtime," a Jordan-only experience.
At least one other Roanoke business reported a ripple in the routine. Kim Clark, owner of Greenfields on the City Market, said he sold two authentic Bulls jerseys with Jordan's name and number, 23, at $112 each; one woman called Clark 15 minutes after the store opened to reserve her Jordan threads.
And, Clark said, he sold 12 to 15 Jordan posters. On a typical day, he said, one or two posters are bought.
"In this business, news like that . . . generally has some effect on sales," Clark said. "It happens when a race car driver passes away suddenly. This is a similar reaction. Their ability to watch and see this player perform has already ended."
Something also may have ended for Nike, the shoe and apparel company for which Jordan is the premier spokesman. Clark said his poster-company sales representative told him in September that Nike was planning to issue three new Jordan posters a month "because they just sell."
As they did Wednesday, Clark said.
"They were buying the Jordans. They weren't buying the [Scottie] Pippens."
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB