NEWS FROM NAGANO : CBS: THE NIKE NETWORK?

Byline: - Daily News Wire Services

CBS is drawing criticism for its deal to outfit its announcers with clothing bearing the Nike swoosh during the Winter Olympics.

The Nike symbol is visible on the jackets and turtlenecks of CBS reporters in the field. The news division, which allowed its correspondents to wear the swoosh in features taped before the Games, has subsequently banned the practice.

But that has not quieted the criticism. In an open letter to the network released Saturday, a group of journalists said CBS has crossed the line between professional journalism and commercial endorsements by requiring its reporters to wear the Nike swoosh.

``While some say sports is different from news, I strongly disagree,'' said Steve Geimann, chair of the Society for Professional Journalists ethics committee and one of the authors of the letter. ``If CBS allows its sports commentators to wear a corporate logo at the Olympics, what's next? White House and Capital Hill reporters with Archer Daniels Midland lapel pins? Business reporters with Texaco ties? Science reporters with Merck insignias on their jackets?''

CBS has also been criticized by one of its own reporters, who raised allegations about the relationship between Nike's sponsorship of the Winter Olympics coverage and treatment of her stories on Nike's labor practices in Vietnam. Roberta Baskin made her complaints in a memo distributed widely to top executives in CBS's news division and, subsequently, to reporters outside of CBS.

Baskin complained that executives refused to rebroadcast her 1997 ``48 Hours'' report on Nike's labor conditions, would not let her reply to a Wall Street Journal article criticizing the report and would not let her do follow-up stories on the issue.

Jansen finds new role

Four years ago, Dan Jansen won the speed-skating gold medal that had eluded him for seemingly an eon. Now, he's calling his sport for CBS. When Jansen began announcing winter sports for CBS after Lillehammer, Norway, he was awkward. Now his race analysis is solid and spirited.

He has been watching his clapskated successors break one world record after another, practically remaking the sport. ``I've only skated on the clapskates once,'' he said. ``And you can feel the difference.''

The adjustment to television is difficult only when he watches the men's 500-meter race. ``That's the most exciting for me, because it was my race, and when I see them skate it, I feel I should be out there. But I'm not skating much these days.''

Wilson commits to Richter

U.S. hockey coach Ron Wilson said for days that he wanted to get John Vanbiesbrouck some playing time in goal. Now he says Mike Richter will be his starter for the rest of the tournament.

``I'm pretty committed to going with Mike Richter,'' Wilson said. ``He's playing well. He carried the load for us in the (1996) World Cup. He has the best numbers of any of our goalies. The team has a lot of faith in him.''

Richter started the first two games for the U.S. team, a 4-2 loss to Sweden followed by Saturday's 5-2 victory over Belarus. The Americans play Canada - the team Richter defeated for the World Cup championship - before moving on to the single-elimination quarterfinals.

Before the tournament, Canada coach Marc Crawford said Patrick Roy was his No. 1 goalie.

``Like Canada has done, you have to commit to one goaltender,'' Wilson said. ``I just wanted to make sure Mike was playing well. And he is.''

Flu sidelines Sondral

Norway's Adne Sondral, who won an Olympic gold medal in 1,500-meter speed skating, has been knocked out of his next race by the flu.

After winning his gold medal Thursday, Sondral was struck with the illness that left him with a temperature of 103, according to Norwegian officials. He was immediately isolated to protect the rest of the team.

``He is going to be hard hit by the flu for three to five days,'' team doctor Gunn Hulleberg said.

No home-ice advantage

The Japanese women's hockey team played in front of big, partisan crowds, although it didn't help much.

Japan lost to Sweden on Saturday, 5-0. In their five games at the Olympics, the Japanese were outscored 45-2.

They started the tournament with a 13-0 loss to Canada, which is favored to win the gold medal, and followed that with an 11-1 loss to Finland. They also lost 10-0 to the United States.

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Photo

Photo: ``Dave's Mom,'' the mother of talk-show host David Letterman, cheers the U.S. hockey team to a victory over Belarus. You can tell she works for CBS by the Nike swoosh on her sweater.

Associated Press