NY-based Chase Manhattan "will announce this week" it
has signed a multi-year sponsorship deal as the "Official
Worldwide Bank" of the WTA Tour, according to Terry Lefton
of BRANDWEEK. Chase will title monthly and annual awards
for the WTA Tour's top player. Chase, which sponsors the
WTA's Chase Championships in New York, will get "tickets and
hospitality" at more events, program ads, and "access" to
retired and active players. Chase is "reportedly mulling"
athletes such as Gabriela Sabatini and Virgina Wade as
spokespeople for its sponsorship (BRANDWEEK, 2/24 issue).
AT&T INKS BIG EAST DEAL: AT&T has signed a three-year
deal for title sponsorship of the men's Big East basketball
tournament, starting March 5, according to Lefton. AT&T
will get exposure on-court and in the post-game interview
areas at Madison Square Garden. The deal includes media in
all games televised by ESPN and ESPN2, plus "opening and
closing billboards" and in-game "enhancements" in the form
of an AT&T starting lineup graphic (BRANDWEEK, 2/24 issue).
