GM RE-UPS WNBA TIE, INKS TITLE DEAL WITH ALL-STAR TOUR

          GM "renewed its sponsorship" of the WNBA and "agreed to
     sponsor and co-promote a post-season All-Star tour,"
     according to Andy Bernstein of the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL,
     who notes that the Buick brand will be the tour's title
     sponsor.  GM and the league will share costs and revenues
     "equally."  The tour will "likely have an Olympic theme," as
     it will begin "several weeks after" the Sydney Games and
     include teams "likely ... composed of Olympic athletes." 
     GM's new three-year WNBA pact "includes virtually all the
     elements of the previous contract," except for the marketing
     rights to "star players."  But sources say that the company
     "will likely sign current" spokesperson and Comets G Cynthia
     Cooper to a new endorsement deal (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL,
     12/13 issue).  BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton writes that GM, in
     its "continuing bid to own women's basketball, ... has
     augmented its growing portfolio" of the sport "by adding
     rights" to the U.S women's team (BRANDWEEK, 12/13 issue).