CT-based Phoenix Home Mutual Life is "close" to signing
as the NCAA's first sponsor in the insurance category,
according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. The five-year deal,
worth "around" $9M, will give Phoenix media on NCAA
highlights shows, the NCAA radio network and in the various
game programs at NCAA championship events. Phoenix will
also have access to Host Communications' Hoop City fan fest
at the men's and women's Final Four (BRANDWEEK, 11/24).
DEALS: Lefton reports that healthcare unit Cigna has
signed a "letter of intent" to become the first "Founding
Partner" sponsor of the Women's Global Challenge, set for
Spring '99 in Washington, DC. The $5M deal would grant
Cigna media, event signage, tickets, hospitality and an
affiliation with the Women's Sports Foundation and its
grass-roots programs....Lefton also reports that Champion
will supply uniforms to the U.S. basketball teams at the
World Championship in Europe next summer. Lefton adds that
new uniforms, and "a bigger retail and marketing push aren't
expected until" '99, leading up to the 2000 Summer Olympic
Games in Sydney....BRANDWEEK adds that Sunkist's two-year
sponsorship deal with the AVP, announced last week, is
"estimated" at $2M (BRANDWEEK, 11/24 issue).
