SEARS IS FIRST WNBA SPONSOR TO RE-UP IN PACT THROUGH 2002

          Sears and the WNBA extended their partnership through
     2002 in a three-year, multi-million dollar deal, making the
     retailer the league's first sponsor to renew.  With the
     deal, Sears receives category exclusivity, ad time on WNBA
     broadcasts, national and local rights to use league and team
     marks, on-court signage in all WNBA arenas and player
     appearances.  Sears becomes the presenting sponsor of the
     WNBA's inaugural All-Star Game balloting (WNBA). 
     BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton reports that the deal includes four
     30-second spots per game on national WNBA broadcasts, "plus
     a new wrinkle, one unit per game on local WNBA telecasts." 
     Sears Dir of Event Marketing & Sales Promotion John Lebbad
     noted market research "showed women were more likely to shop
     at Sears" because of the WNBA tie.  Lebbad: "It's really
     connected to our core female customer" (BRANDWEEK, 5/10).