USA WOMEN'S HOOP TEAM INKS TV AND APPAREL DEALS

     USA Basketball has announced agreements with Champion
Products, ABC, and ESPN to provide TV coverage of ten USA Women's
games as the team prepares for '96.  The deal was orchestrated by
the NBA, which is handling marketing for USA Basketball.  Details
of the deal:  ESPN and ESPN2 will air a total of eight games
beginning this fall through the spring of '96; ABC will broadcast
two games in the spring of '96; Champion will support the
broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and be the sole sponsor for the
team's fall training camp in Colorado Springs.  Champion will
also develop uniforms, warm-ups, and practice wear, and support
the team through national retail promotions, player appearances
and other p.r. efforts (USA Basketball).  NBAP VP Michael Dresner
told USA TODAY that the league can be selective in signing
sponsors: "We really only want companies that will invest in
promoting this team" (Mike Heistand, USA TODAY, 5/16).