Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.16

                                                              February 13, 2003

Dear Mardy:

         Converse Inc. ("Converse") considers the stability of its executive
management team to be essential to the best interests of Converse. In order to
induce you to remain in the employ of Converse, this severance agreement (the
"Agreement") describes the severance compensation which Converse agrees will be
provided to you in the event your employment with Converse is terminated under
certain of the circumstances described below.

     1.   At-will Employment.

          Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement, any offer letter,
Confidentiality Agreement, Stock Option Agreement or other document that you
sign in connection with your employment, your employment at Converse is and
continues to be "at-will" employment and may be terminated at any time with or
without cause or notice.

     2.   Scope of Agreement.

          This Agreement is not intended to supercede the terms of any offer
letter, Confidentiality Agreement, Stock Option Agreement or other document
which you signed in connection with your employment at Converse, except insofar
as such document deals with severance pay (e.g., in the event the terms of any
offer letter conflict with the terms of this Agreement the terms of this
Agreement shall control).

     3.   Severance Payment if Termination Occurs for Disability, due to
Death, Without Cause or for Good Reason following a Change of Control. If your
employment with Converse is terminated (i) by Converse due to "Disability" (as
defined below); (ii) due to death; (iii) by Converse without "Cause" (as defined
below); or (iv) by you for "Good Reason" (as defined below) within twelve (12)
months following a "Change of Control" (as defined below), then Converse shall,
subject to your executing and not revoking a severance agreement and release of
claims prepared by and acceptable to Converse, do the following:

     (a)  Continue your "Base Salary" (as defined below) for a period of one (1)
          year, less applicable withholding and payable in accordance with
          Converse's normal payroll practices. For purposes of this Agreement,
          the term "Base Salary" means the highest annual base salary you
          received while employed by Converse, excluding bonuses, commissions
          and other similar amounts.

     (b)  In the event (i) a bonus is paid, in the first three months of the
          calendar year following the calendar year in which you were
          terminated, to Converse employees for services performed in the
          calendar year in which you were terminated (the "Bonus Year"), (ii)
          you would have been eligible to receive a

<PAGE>

          bonus payment (as reasonably determined by Converse) for such Bonus
          Year, and (iii) your employment was terminated after March 31st of the
          applicable Bonus Year, then Converse shall pay you a pro-rated amount
          of the bonus payment you would have received had you remained employed
          with Converse through the end of the Bonus Year (as reasonably
          determined by Converse based on the product of (x) the amount of such
          bonus payment (as reasonably determined by Converse), multiplied by
          (y) a fraction of which the numerator is the number of whole months
          you were employed in the Bonus Year and the denominator is twelve).

     (c)  Converse shall continue your group medical and/or dental coverage for
          a period of one year following your termination date.

     4. Payment if Termination Occurs for Cause or Voluntarily by you Without
Good Reason. If your employment is terminated (i) by Converse for Cause, or (ii)
by you (except for your termination for Good Reason within twelve (12) months
following a Change in Control), Converse shall pay you your base salary through
the date of termination plus year-to-date accrued vacation. Converse shall have
no further obligations to you under this Agreement.

     5.   Definitions of Certain Terms.

          (a)  Cause. "Cause" shall mean your conviction of or plea of guilty
               to, a felony.

          (b)  Disability. "Disability" shall mean your inability to perform
               substantially your regular duties with Converse on a full-time
               basis for more than 120 consecutive days as a result of
               incapacity due to physical or mental illness as determined by an
               independent physician reasonably and good faith selected by
               Converse.

          (c)  Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall mean the
               occurrence of any of the following events:

          (1)  The acquisition by any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
               13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
               amended (the "1934 Act") and excluding Converse) of "beneficial
               ownership" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
               under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
               Converse representing forty percent (40%) or more of the total
               voting power represented by Converse's then outstanding voting
               securities; or

          (2)  The completion of: (i) any merger or consolidation of Converse
               with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which
               would result in the voting securities of Converse outstanding
               immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
               remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
               securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least
               fifty-one percent (51%) of the total voting power represented by
               the voting securities of Converse or such surviving entity or its
               parent outstanding immediately after such merger or
               consolidation; or (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, or other
               transfer (in one transaction or a series of

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

               related transactions) of all, or substantially all of the assets
               of Converse; excluding any sale, lease, exchange, or other
               transfer of assets as part of a plan or proposal for the
               liquidation or dissolution of Converse.

         (d) Good Reason. "Good Reason" shall mean, provided you have not
engaged in conduct which constitutes Cause for termination, or death and/or you
are not then subject to a Disability: (i) a change in your title, status or
position(s) with Converse which does not represent a promotion from your then
current title, status or position(s) or (ii) a change in your duties or
responsibilities that is inconsistent with such title, status or position(s)
with Converse which does not represent a promotion from your then current title,
status or position(s) or (iii) any removal of you from, or any failure to
reappoint or reelect you to, such position(s), except (A) any deminimis or
inconsequential change in your critical duties or responsibilities related to
such position(s), (B) any change in your title, status, position, duties or
responsibilities(s) solely as a result of Converse being acquired and made part
of a larger entity so long as you shall have the same title and shall continue
to serve in the same position of the subsidiary or business unit containing the
Converse business following a Change in Control or (C) in connection with the
termination of your employment for Cause or Disability or as a result of your
death or voluntarily by you other than for Good Reason; (iv) a reduction of your
base salary by Converse; (v) Converse's requiring you to be based anywhere other
than within seventy-five (75) miles from its worldwide headquarters in North
Andover, Massachusetts except for required travel on Converse's business to the
extent substantially consistent with the business travel obligations which you
normally undertake or would reasonably be expected to undertake on behalf of
Converse; and (vi) the failure of any successor to Converse to assume expressly
and in writing within ten (10) days following such succession the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. In respect of events described in the previous
sentence, you shall give Converse written notice and explanation of the "Good
Reason" event and thirty (30) days to cure the default, failure or refusal. If
such default, failure or refusal is not cured within such thirty (30) day cure
period, you may give written Notice of Termination by you for Good Reason.

         (e) Notice of Termination. A "Notice of Termination" of your employment
shall mean a written notice given of the termination of your employment which
shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
provide a basis for termination of employment under the provision so indicated.

      6. Notices. For the purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered personally, sent by courier or
mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid. All notices to Converse shall be directed to the attention of
the Chief Executive Officer of Converse with a copy to the General Counsel of
Converse. All notices to you may be delivered to your last-known address as
maintained by Converse and you are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of
that address.

      7. Successors; Binding Agreement.

         (a) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon,
any corporate or other successor or assignee of Converse which shall acquire,
directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation or purchase, or otherwise, all
or substantially all of the business or assets of

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Converse. Converse shall require any such successor to expressly to assume and
agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as
Converse would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

         (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
your personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors,
heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If you should die after termination
of employment where any amount would still be payable to you hereunder if you
had continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall
be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to your estate.

      8. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived,
or discharged unless such modification, waiver, or discharge is agreed to in a
writing signed by you and the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer
of Converse that expressly references this letter agreement. No waiver by either
party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or of
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same, or at any prior or subsequent time. The validity,
interpretation, construction, and performance of this Agreement shall be
governed by laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to
the principles of conflict of laws thereof

      9. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represent the entire agreement and
understanding between the parties as to the subject matter of herein and
supersede all prior contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral.

      10. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.

      11. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

      12. Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising out of, relating to,
or in connection with this Agreement, or the interpretation, validity,
construction, performance, breach, or termination thereof, shall be settled by
binding arbitration to be held in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in accordance
with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect
of the American Arbitration Association (the "Rules"). The arbitrator may grant
injunctions or other relief in such dispute or controversy. The decision of the
arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the
arbitration. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's decision in any court
having jurisdiction.

      The arbitrator(s) shall apply Massachusetts law to the merits of any
dispute or claim, without reference to conflicts of law rules. The arbitration
proceedings shall be governed by federal arbitration law and by the Rules,
without reference to state arbitration law. You hereby consent to the personal
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Massachusetts for any
action or proceeding arising from or relating to this Agreement or relating to
any arbitration in which the parties are participants.

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YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES ARBITRATION. YOU
UNDERSTAND THAT SUBMITTING ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, RELATING TO, OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE INTERPRETATION, VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION,
PERFORMANCE, BREACH OR TERMINATION THEREOF TO BINDING ARBITRATION, CONSTITUTES A
WAIVER OF YOUR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL AND RELATES TO THE RESOLUTION OF ALL
DISPUTES RELATING TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING CLAIMS:

         (a) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR WRONGFUL DISCHARGE OF EMPLOYMENT; BREACH OF
CONTRACT, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; BREACH OF THE COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND
FAIR DEALING, BOTH EXPRESS AND IMPLIED; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS; NEGLIGENT OR INTENTIONAL MISREPRESENTATION; NEGLIGENT OR
INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT OR PROSPECTIVE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE; AND
DEFAMATION.

         (b) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR VIOLATION OF ANY FEDERAL STATE OR MUNICIPAL
STATUTE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
1964, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1991, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT OF
1967, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990, AND THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS
ACT; (c) ANY AND ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF ANY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS
RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OR EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION.

      13. Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall
be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

      14. Precedence. The offer of a severance to the employee is not intended
to establish and does not establish a practice or policy for the treatment of
any other employees.

      15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one
and the same instrument.

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<PAGE>

      If you would like to enter into this Agreement, kindly sign and return to
Converse the enclosed copy of this letter, which will then constitute our
agreement on this subject.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                CONVERSE INC.

                                                By:    /s/ Jack Boys
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                Name:  Jack Boys
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                Title: CEO
                                                      --------------------------

                                                AGREED TO:

                                                /s/ Mardy Cason

                                                Mardy Cason

                                      -6-<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                              MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT

      MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), by and among (i) Converse Inc., a
Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, "CONVERSE"),
(ii) Infinity Associates LLC, formerly known as cre-8-net ventures, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability corporation ("MANAGER"), and (iii) Marsden S. Cason
and William N. Simon (the "MANAGER MEMBERS"), entered into on December 12, 2002
and effective immediately upon the initial public offering of Converse (the
"IPO").

                                    AGREEMENT

      In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto mutually agree as follows:

1.    Retention of Manager; Duties of Manager Members.

      Converse hereby retains Manager to actively assist in the management of
Converse's operations. Manager, acting through the Manager Members, accepts such
appointment and it and each Manager Member agrees to discharge faithfully and
diligently the duties set forth herein and implement the policies established by
the Converse board of directors (the "BOARD") including the following:

      (a) Manager through the Manager Members will provide services in a manner
and to the degree comparable to the services provided since April 30, 2001 and
each Manager Member shall devote substantially all of his business time and
attention (except for periods of vacation and illness) to serving the business
affairs of Converse and being actively involved in day-to-day operations and
management of Converse. The Manager Members shall report directly and solely to
the Board;

      (b) In furtherance of clause (a) above, Marsden Cason shall serve as a
Converse director and as Converse's Executive Chairman, which shall be an
executive officer position and, notwithstanding the compensation payable to
Manager under paragraph 2 below, Marsden Cason shall be separately compensated
for such services as a Converse employee;

      (c) Marsden Cason agrees to stand for election as a director if nominated
by the Board at the 2003, if any, and 2004 annual stockholder meetings.

      (d) To the extent not already done so as a result of serving as a Converse
officer, director or employee, Converse will (i) enter into a customary
indemnification agreement with Manager and each Manager Member and (ii) endeavor
in good faith to have each Manager Member covered by its directors and officers
insurance policy.

      (e) The Manager Members shall not actively engage in any non-Converse
employment or consulting activity, for any direct or indirect remuneration,
without the prior approval of the Board, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The foregoing provisions shall not be deemed to be
violated as a result of any Manager Member's hobby activities (even if
profitable) or participation in commercial real estate
<PAGE>
activities with family members, so long as such activities do not adversely
impact in any material way on Executive's ability to perform his
responsibilities hereunder; and

      (f) Each Member Manager shall maintain a residence in the greater Boston
area for so long as Converse conducts its operations from such area.

2. Payments and Benefits. In consideration for providing the services hereunder,
Manager or, in the case of paragraph 2 (b) and (c) below the Manager Members,
shall receive or be entitled to the following:

      (a) a $375,000 annual management fee beginning December 13, 2002 (the
"MANAGEMENT FEE"), payable monthly in advance, without duplication for any
management fees payable prior to the effective date hereof;

      (b) rent reimbursement of up to $110,000 per year on Manager's Mill
Valley, California office, payable quarterly in arrears (the "RENT
REIMBURSEMENT"), provided that Manager provides documentation reasonably
satisfactory to Converse related to such expenditures; and

      (c) to the extent not already received as a Converse employee, (i)
reimbursement of reasonable business expenses pursuant to policies adopted by
Converse and the Board and (ii) to the extent permitted thereunder,
participation in Converse's health and benefit plans.

3. Term. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to paragraph 4 below, this Agreement
shall remain in effect until December 13, 2004, subject to renewal for
additional one year terms by mutual consent.

4. Termination.

      (a) By Converse For Cause. Converse may terminate this Agreement for Cause
by action of the Board upon written notice to Manager at any time. "CAUSE" shall
mean:

            (i) If any Manager Member (a) has been convicted of a felony or (b)
is determined by a court of law to have committed a willful act of embezzlement,
fraud or dishonesty (with respect to Converse or any of its affiliates or any of
their customers, vendors or suppliers) which may adversely affect Converse or
its business prospects in any material manner;

            (ii) Manager's substantial and repeated neglect of its
responsibilities hereunder, after written notice thereof from the Board, and
such neglect has not been cured within 30 days after Manager's receipt of notice
thereof from the Board; or

            (iii) Material, willful breach by Manager or any Manager Member of
paragraph 7 hereof.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Manager shall not be terminated for Cause
pursuant to this paragraph 4(a) without (i) reasonable notice to Manager setting
forth the reasons for Converse's intention to terminate for Cause, and (ii) an
opportunity for Manager, together with counsel, if any, to be heard before the
Board.

      (b) By Converse (other than for Cause). Converse may terminate this
Agreement by action of the Board upon written notice to Manager at any time.

      (c) By Manager. Manager may terminate this Agreement by written notice to
the Board if (x) Marsden Cason is terminated as a director or Executive
Chairman, without his prior consent other than for cause (as defined under his
Severance Agreement with Converse, if any, or absent that as defined above) and
(y) the Board has not, within 30 days of such removal, given notice of
termination of this Agreement pursuant to paragraph 4(a).

5.    Effects of Termination.

      (a) Converse Termination (other than for Cause); Manager Termination. If
(x) Manager is terminated by Converse (other than for Cause pursuant to
paragraph 4(a)) or (y) Manager terminates the Agreement pursuant to Section 4(c)
then:

            (i) Manager shall receive that portion of the Management Fee payable
to the effective date of termination plus an additional amount equal to one
year's Management Fee;

            (ii) Manager shall receive Rent Reimbursement through the end of the
quarter during which the termination became effective; and

            (iii) to the extent not already received as a Converse employee, the
Manager Members shall be entitled to continued health benefits (including
continued health care) for one year following the date termination became
effective plus, if applicable, COBRA thereafter.

            (b) Converse Termination for Cause. If Manager is terminated by
Converse for Cause pursuant to paragraph 4(a), no further payments of the
Management Fee or Rent Reimbursement shall be paid after the effectiveness of
termination under paragraph 4(a) is given by the Board to Manager.

6. Lock-up. Until (i) the 181st day after Converse's IPO, with respect to
2,000,000 shares (less that number of shares transferred to Converse immediately
prior to the IPO as repayment of Manager's stockholder loan) and (ii) February
1, 2005, with respect to 600,000 shares (in each case, as adjusted for stock
splits and the like), without the Board's prior consent (which may be withheld
for any reason), Manager and its members (including the Manager Members) agree
not to, directly or indirectly, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any
securities of Converse then held by them. The foregoing restriction shall not
apply to transfers of economic interests in such securities to (i) the
descendants of any member of Manager (provided each descendant shall be bound by
this

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provision), or (ii) any charity or charitable foundation during the six-month
period following the IPO (provided each such entity agrees to be bound by this
provision during such six-month period). Converse may appropriately legend
Converse shares and impose stop transfer instructions to enforce this paragraph
6.

7. Non-Competition; Confidentiality; Disclosure Of Information.

      (a) Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation. Without the prior written
consent of the Board, Manager shall not, the Manager Members shall not, and they
shall cause their, affiliates to not, directly or indirectly, so long as Manager
is retained hereunder and until the one-year anniversary of any termination of
this Agreement:

            (i) render consulting, or advisory services to or financially
support in any manner, or be a proprietor, a director, an officer, an employee,
an agent, a partner, a shareholder (other than ownership of less than five (5%)
percent of the outstanding voting securities of any publicly traded entity) or a
lender to, or otherwise promote, any business, enterprise, person, firm,
corporation, partnership, association or other entity that directly competes
anywhere in the world with Converse or any of its subsidiaries in the business
of athletic sportswear or athletic footwear, or any other significant business
conducted by Converse at the time of Manager's termination; or

            (ii) interfere with, disrupt or attempt to disrupt any then existing
relationship, contractual or otherwise, between Converse or its subsidiaries and
any of their customers, suppliers, clients, executives, employees, vendors,
licensees or business relations or other persons with whom Converse or its
subsidiaries deal or in any way disparage Converse to any of the foregoing; or

            (iii) solicit for employment, attempt to employ or assist any other
entity in employing or soliciting for employment any employee or executive who
at the termination date or during the subsequent one-year period is or was
employed by Converse or its subsidiaries.

      (b) Intellectual Property Rights. Manager and the Manager Members hereby
acknowledge that any material produced by or upon the instructions of Manager
during the term that benefit Converse shall be "works for hire" to the extent
applicable and belong to Converse to the extent such materials are in the nature
of inventions or other items of intellectual property. Manager and the Manager
Members agree to take any and all steps reasonably requested by Converse to
ensure that title thereto shall be fully vested in Converse and agrees to make
no claim to personal ownership thereof.

      (c) Confidentiality. During the term of Manager's retention hereunder and
thereafter, and except as required by any court, supervisory authority or
administrative agency or as may, in the opinion of Manager's counsel, be
otherwise required by applicable law, Manager shall not and the Manager Members
shall not, without the consent of the Board or a person authorized thereby,
disclose to any person, other than a then-current employee of Converse or a
person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection
with the performance by them of the obligations

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
hereunder, any confidential or proprietary information of Converse obtained by
them during the term of this Agreement, unless such information has become a
matter of public knowledge at the time of such disclosure.

      (d) Restrictions on Scope of Agreement. Although the restrictions
contained in paragraph 7 hereof are considered by the parties hereto to be fair
and reasonable in the circumstances, it is recognized that restrictions of the
nature contained in paragraph 7 may fail for technical reasons, and accordingly
if any of such restrictions shall be adjudged by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable for whatever reason, but would be valid
if part of the wording thereof were deleted, or the period thereof reduced or
the area dealt with thereby reduced in scope, the restrictions contained in
paragraph 7 shall apply, at the election of Converse, with such modifications as
may be necessary to make them valid, effective and enforceable in the particular
jurisdiction in which such restrictions are adjudged to be void or
unenforceable.

8.    Miscellaneous.

      (a) Waivers and Amendments. Any term of this Agreement may be amended or
waived only with the written consent of the parties hereto.

      (b) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Massachusetts.

      (c) Assignability. Manager may not assign this Agreement or delegate any
of the Manager Members' duties hereunder without the prior written consent of
Converse.

      (d) Notices, etc. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given at the time of
receipt if delivered by hand or by facsimile transmission or five business days
after being mailed, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with
postage prepaid, to the address or facsimile number (as the case may be) listed
for each such party below such party's signature page hereto or, if any party
shall have designated a different address or facsimile number by notice to the
other parties given as provided above, then to the last address or facsimile
number so designated.

      (e) Separability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be
declared invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby.

      (f) Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the paragraphs and subparagraphs
of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be
considered in construing this Agreement.

      (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument. This Agreement, the agreements referred to
herein, and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection
herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments
hereto or thereto, to the extent

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine, shall be treated in all
manners and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be
considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original
signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party hereto
or to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall
re-execute original forms thereof and deliver them to all other parties. No
party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a
facsimile machine to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or
agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a
facsimile machine as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract
and each such party forever waives any such defense.

      (h) No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly
in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed
as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of
proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship
of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

      (i) Survival. The provisions of paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement
shall survive any termination of Manager's duties under this Agreement.

      (j) Remedies. If a violation by Manager or the Manager Members of any
covenant contained in this Agreement occurs or is threatened, the parties agree
and acknowledge that such violation or threatened violation will cause
irreparable injury to Converse and its subsidiaries, and the remedy at law for
any such violation or threatened violation shall be inadequate and that Converse
shall be entitled to specific performances, injunctive relief, or other
equitable remedies without the necessity of proving actual damages.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
                      [management agreement signature page]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

                                    CONVERSE INC.

                                    By: /s/ Jack Boys
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       Address for Notice:

                                       One High Street
                                       North Andover, MA 01845
                                       Attn: Jack Boys and Laura Kelley

                                    INFINITY ASSOCIATES LLC

                                    By: /s/ Marsden S. Cason
                                       --------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       Address for Notice:

                                       One High Street
                                       North Andover, MA 01845
                                       Attn: Marsden S. Cason

                                       In either case, with a copy to:

                                       Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
                                       650 Page Mill Road
                                       Palo Alto, California 94304
                                       Facsimile: (650) 493-6811
                                       Attn: Kurt Berney, Esq.

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED

/s/ Marsden S. Cason
-------------------------
Marsden S. Cason

/s/ William N. Simon
-------------------------
William N. Simon

                                      -7-

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