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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23


THURSDAY JANUARY 13, 10:17 AM EASTERN TIME

COMPANY PRESS RELEASE

SOURCE: Rawlings Sporting Goods Company

RAWLINGS CONFIRMS FAILED ACQUISITION TALKS WITH BULL RUN CORPORATION

FENTON, Mo., Jan. 13/PRNewswire/ -- Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc.
(Nasdaq: RAWL - news) confirmed today that, as part of its recently concluded
exploration of strategic alternatives, it had extensive discussions with Bull
Run Corporation (Nasdaq: BULL - news) concerning the possible acquisition of
Rawlings by an investor group led by Bull Run at prices ranging from a high of
$13.25 per share to a low of $10 per share.


Rawlings said that just last week the Finance Committee of its Board of
Directors had offered to waive the restrictions contained in a standstill
agreement between the two companies and to remove all other structural
impediments in order to allow Bull Run and its co-investors to make a cash
tender offer at $10 per share for all outstanding Rawlings shares, provided
that the offer be completed within 45 days, that the holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding shares accept the offer and that the offer contain
a commitment on Bull Run's part to do a follow-up cash merger at the same
price. The Finance Committee's offer was also subject to other conditions,
including that if Bull Run's tender offer was unsuccessful for any reason, its
two designees on Rawlings board would resign, the existing standstill agreement
between the two companies would remain in effect and Bull Run would surrender
the warrant it currently holds to buy an additional 925,000 Rawlings shares in
exchange for Rawlings' agreement to forgive the balance of the warrant's
purchase price. Bull Run declined to accept the Finance Committee's proposal
before an agreed upon deadline.

Rawlings also said that, pursuant to a resolution unanimously approved late
last week by Rawlings' Board of Directors, including Bull Run's two
representatives on the Board, the acquisition talks between the two companies
would cease and Rawlings would continue to focus on implementing its business
plan and improving its operating results.

Finally, Rawlings said that it would have no further comment on its talks with
Bull Run or on any other aspect of its recently concluded review of strategic
alternatives.

