ESPN LANDS RIGHTS TO MARKETING FOR UNIV. OF AL-BIRMINGHAM

          The Univ. of AL-Birmingham (UAB) has agreed to a five-
     year deal that allows ESPN to market UAB's athletics
     programs, according to Doug Segrest of the BIRMINGHAM NEWS.
     In the past, UAB has "handled marketing either internally or
     through transient one-year terms with outside entities." 
     ESPN will now oversee radio and TV rights and production,
     signage, advertisement and corporate sponsorship, as well as
     hire a staff to work on UAB accounts in Birmingham.  The
     deal makes UAB the "fifth Division I program to turn its
     marketing over to Charlotte-based ESPN Marketing, joining"
     the Univ. of KS, the Univ. of OR, TX Christian Univ. and
     Univ. of South FL (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 2/28).