A-B has extended its Bud Light brand's sponsorship of
the WNBA for the next three years. A-B, a WNBA partner
since the league's inaugural '97 season, will continue to
receive in-game units on all three WNBA TV partners -- NBC,
ESPN and Lifetime -- rights to league and team marks,
footage and photos in ads and promos, on-court signage,
local TV ad units and rights to player appearances. The
company will continue its $100,000 commitment to sponsor the
Bud Light Shooting Champions and will also continue to
sponsor the All-WNBA First and Second Teams (WNBA).
BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton reports that A-B receives four
units in national broadcasts (BRANDWEEK, 9/13 issue).
LOOKING FOR NEW LEGS: Lefton also reports that the NBA
is "looking to bring back the slam-dunk competition" as part
of its All-Star Weekend, and sources said that league
marketers are "now trying to sell title sponsorship" to the
event, "last held" by Nestle. If the contest is "revived,"
it would be televised on TNT February 12, the night before
the All-Star Game in Oakland (BRANDWEEK, 9/13 issue).
