LEAGUE NEWS: Uhlsport America has inked a multi-year deal to become the Official Uniform Supplier of three WUSA teams -- the Bay Area CyberRays, N.Y. Power and Philadelphia Charge (WUSA)....The NHL is partnering with six of its int'l broadcast rightsholders -- ESPN Int'l, CANAL+, DSF/Premiere Sports World, Channel 5 UK and Sports-i -- to present the NHL Million Dollar Challenge, an int'l consumer TV promo around February's NHL All-Star Game in Denver. The promo offers fans from each participating country the chance to win a trip to the All-Star Game as well as up to $1M (NHL). ...Australia-based telecom company AAPT is "threatening to withdraw from its four-year association" with Tennis Australia if the organization's sponsorship deal with "rival communications company" Cable Wireless & Optus "threatens [AAPT's] commercial interests." While AAPT has been the naming rights sponsor of Tennis Australia's Player Development program, sources say that the Optus deal involves the Australian Davis Cup team (AUSTRALIAN, 12/14). NAMES & FACES: AND 1's Mad Game, the company's "first foray into performance basketball shoes," will be worn by Knicks G Latrell Sprewell this month and hit retail in time for the NBA All-Star Game in February. Recently signed AND 1 endorser and T'Wolves F Kevin Garnett will also wear the shoe. The retail launch is backed by a TV and print campaign (BRANDWEEK, 12/11 issue)....Meridian USA will soon market sugar-free energy drink Champion Lyte in FL via ads featuring Dolphins QB Jay Fiedler (BRANDWEEK, 12/11 issue).
