Yesterday's Hero Citation

By DAVID ELLIS/

MICHAEL JACKSON

The L.A. Gear footwear firm believed that a new line of $70 "performance shoes" endorsed by the reclusive star would lift the company out of the financial doldrums and challenge Nike and Reebok. But it's as easy as A-B-C to see that sales have been B-A-D.

With reporting by David E. Thigpen