KOBE ALIGNS WITH SPALDING; BUICK INKS ACC CAR CATEGORY DEAL

          Spalding has signed NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant to a
     multi-year endorsement deal.  Initial plans call for the
     intro of an exclusive line of Bryant basketballs.  Spalding
     will also donate 19 basketballs to charity for each point
     Bryant scores during Sunday's All-Star Game (Spalding).
          AUTO CLUB: GM's Buick division signed a four-year,
     "estimated" $8M marketing pact with the ACC to become the
     exclusive and official car of the entire collegiate 
     conference, according to AD AGE.  The deal includes TV and
     marketing involvement with ACC women's and men's basketball
     plus 22 conference championship events (AD AGE, 2/4).