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                                                                   EXHIBIT (10s)


[RUSSELL LETTERHEAD]                                 JACK WARD
                                                     CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO

                                August 16, 2000

Mr. Robert D. Martin
7779 Mandarin Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33433

Dear Bob:

         I am pleased to extend to you an offer as the Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer for Russell Corporation. Your base annual salary
would be $275,000, paid on a monthly basis and your target bonus will be 50% of
base with a maximum potential of 100% of base. For the remainder of this year
and for fiscal year 2001, your bonus would be guaranteed at 50% of your base
salary earned. You will have a performance review and will be eligible for a
merit salary increase as of March 1, 2001.

         You will receive options to purchase 100,000 shares of Russell stock
at a price based on the average of the high and low price on your first day of
work. The options would vest over a four-year period with 25% of vesting on each
anniversary date. The next option date is anticipated to be in first quarter of
2003. In addition, you would receive (i) a hiring bonus of $25,000 to offset
other costs you may have incurred, such as loss on the Country Club initiation
and (ii) 5,000 shares of restricted stock to cover the loss of bonus from
Sunbeam as a result of your leaving prior to the end of its fiscal year and any
loss on the sale of your home in Boca Raton. The restricted shares would vest
over a period of four (4) years, with 25% of the shares becoming free of
restriction on each anniversary date of your employment.

         We would, of course, pay moving expenses, including purchase of your
house if it does not sell in a reasonable period. In addition, we will pay your
temporary living expenses in Atlanta until January 31, 2001. Provided, however,
if you have entered into a contract to purchase a house in Atlanta on or before
January 31, 2001, we will continue to pay your temporary living expenses until
March 31, 2001.

         The term ("Term") of your employment shall continue until the earliest
to occur of the following dates (the "Termination Date"): (i) the date of
termination of your employment by the Company other than for Cause (as defined
herein); (ii) the date of your death; (iii) the date coinciding with the end of
one hundred and eighty (180) days of your disability (as defined in the
Company's disability benefit plan applicable to you); (iv) the date of
termination for Cause; or (v) the date you terminate your employment.

         Depending upon the circumstances set forth below, if you cease to be
employed by the Company you may be entitled to benefits beyond the Term
("Compensation Continuance Period"). If your employment at Russell Corporation
is severed for any reason other than
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Mr. Robert D. Martin
August 16, 2000
Page 2

Cause during your first two (2) years of employment, you will be paid twelve
(12) months severance pay unless you work for a competitor. After two (2) years
of employment, if your employment is terminated for any reason other than
Cause, you will be paid in accordance with our severance plan currently in
effect as follows: six (6) months severance (unless you work for a competitor)
and up to an additional six (6) months if you are unable to secure other
employment during that time. In the event your employment at Russell is severed
for any reason other than Cause within one year of my leaving Russell, in
addition to the severance benefits set forth immediately above, you will be
paid a bonus at the target level for the then current fiscal year, the
severance payment will be paid irrespective of whether or not you obtain other
employment during the severance period (unless you work for a competitor), and
your outstanding stock options and restricted shares shall immediately become
vested and shall be exercisable for a period of three (3) years from the date
of termination.

         Upon the expiration of the Term for any reason, you shall be entitled
to continue to receive your base salary through the last day of the month in
which the Termination Date occurs. In addition to the compensation provided for
in the preceding sentence upon death, disability, or upon the termination of
your employment by the Company other than for Cause, you shall receive the
bonus for which you were eligible in the year of termination, prorated for the
portion of such year for which you were employed (such period to be deemed to
end on the Termination Date) at the rate such bonus was earned but in no event
less than 50% of your base salary for such period.

         Further, if severance is payable, you shall receive a bonus with
respect to the severance period set forth above paid at a rate of 50% of said
base salary during the Compensation Continuance Period, prorated for the
portion of such time period that base salary is payable, to be paid at such
times as bonus payments are normally paid to other executives of the Company.

         For purposes of this letter agreement, "Cause" shall be limited to:
(i) conviction of a felony other than those felonies involving the use of an
automobile in violation of any vehicle statute; (ii) a material breach of a
provision of this letter agreement by you, which breach is not cured within
thirty (30) days after a Termination Notice has been given by Russell
Corporation to you; or (iii) the Final Determination of any action the effect
of which is to permanently enjoin you from fulfilling your duties under this
letter agreement. "Final Determination" as used herein shall mean the
exhaustion of all available remedies and appeals by you or your refusal to
pursue such remedies and appeals. "Termination Notice" as used herein shall
mean a written notice which (i) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of your employment and
(ii) sets forth the date of termination.

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Mr. Robert D. Martin
August 16, 2000
Page 3


         You would, of course, be eligible for the other executive benefit
programs, including a SERP retirement program. However, we do not have an
executive car program or allowance.

         As part of our aim to achieve a "drug free" working environment, we
request that all employees undergo a drug screening process. Mike Hager, our
Senior Vice President of Human Resources, can discuss an arrangement to
complete this requirement that will be centered around your convenience. Mike
will be available to share specific benefit information with you, in particular
the executive program. He can be reached at (678) 742-8102.

         Bob, I believe we have an opportunity that will be exciting and
intellectually stimulating for you. We also know that you and Carol will enjoy
Atlanta. Again, all of us are delighted to have you join this exciting team and
look forward to the numerous contributions you will bring to Russell.

         If this letter is acceptable to you, please sign below and forward a
signed copy to me.

                                                      Best regards,


                                                      /s/ Jack Ward
                                                      -------------------------
                                                      Jack Ward

jk

cc:  Mike Hager
     Floyd Hoffman


Agreed and accepted this 16th day of August, 2000


/s/ Robert D. Martin
--------------------
Robert D. Martin