News - 05/01/2003

Women's National Basketball Association

WNBA Gets New Look On-Court for 2003 Season

NEW YORK, May 1, 2003 – The world’s best female basketball players will have a new look on the court this season. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Reebok are set to unveil new uniform designs and a new line of WNBA- branded footwear that will be worn by the players in the league starting this season. In addition, the WNBA will use the new Spalding WNBA Infusion basketball, a basketball with a built-in Dual Action Micro Pump®, as the official game ball.

New Uniforms
The new uniforms were created to maximize performance and provide optimal comfort for the players. The jerseys are tapered to fit a woman’s body and are designed to be worn untucked, providing a free range of motion for the players. “The new WNBA uniforms by Reebok bring to women's basketball a fresh and unique look that marries function, fashion and comfort for our players,” said Val Ackerman, WNBA President. “The fabrics used are the latest in performance technology, and the cut -- which is designed to conform to the shape of the female body -- is an exciting departure from the unisex look and represents the next iteration of on-court style for the women's game.”

The new uniforms will feature flat-back mesh material that incorporates Play Dry ™ technology – Reebok’s moisture management system that helps keep the athlete cooler, drier and more comfortable by using temperature and humidity- regulating properties in the fabric.

The uniforms will be made in two silhouettes, with half of the teams wearing one silhouette and half wearing the other. One is “organic,” featuring curved design lines, and the other is “angular,” showing angled design lines. The uniforms will also feature a new ergonomically designed neckline and armholes.

Six teams (Detroit, Indiana, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento and Seattle) will now feature the city name across the chest of the road uniforms. In addition, either the city name or team name will be embroidered on the back neck of the uniform.

New WNBA Footwear
The WNBA and Reebok will also unveil a new style in the WNBA Footwear Collection by Reebok -- the WNBA Isolation -- this season. The WNBA Isolation will be sold at retail beginning in July 2003. This shoe will feature the WNBA logo on the heel, tongue, sole and sock liner.

During games, Reebok’s WNBA players, as well as athletes without footwear endorsements, will wear the WNBA Isolation. Players can also choose from the WNBA Mad Talent and other select Reebok footwear styles. In October, Reebok will offer the next style from the WNBA Footwear Collection called the WNBA Drop Step. Reebok and the NBA launched the NBA Footwear Collection by Reebok in October 2002.

“The WNBA has a very strong core of dedicated fans and this newest addition to the WNBA Footwear Collection by Reebok will be very popular among that fan base,” said John Lynch, Reebok’s vice president, global sports and entertainment. “The WNBA footwear we have created is designed to meet the performance needs of professional basketball players, while remaining fashionable so it can be worn both on and off the court.”

New Official WNBA Game Ball
The Spalding WNBA INFUSION basketball, which allows users to add or release air anytime, anywhere, will debut this season as the Official Game Ball of the WNBA. The ball will maintain the traditional orange and oatmeal design and will now include a built-in Dual Action Micro Pump®, thus eliminating the need for a separate pump and needle. This patented technology completely solves consumers’ #1 complaint (under- inflation) with inflated sports equipment. One minute of activation adds about one pound of air pressure to the ball.

“We’re thrilled to expand our association with the WNBA and have the finest women athletes compete with INFUSION technology,” stated Dan Touhey, director of marketing for Spalding Sports Worldwide. “It’s a further testimony to the quality and innovation of INFUSION and further solidifies our long-standing position as the number one basketball brand.”

All of these new items will be available at retail nationwide including at The NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City and at The WNBA Store on WNBA.com. The new WNBA uniforms will be available at the start of the season with replica jerseys available for $40 suggested retail price. The WNBA Isolation will be available at retail in July for a suggested retail price of $75. The Spalding WNBA Infusion basketball will be available in June at retail for a suggested retail price of $55.