News - 05/02/2003

Women's National Basketball Association - New York Liberty

New York Liberty Unveil New Uniforms

Reebok Provides New Uniforms and WNBA-Branded Footwear for Entire WNBA

NEW YORK, May 2 -- The New York Liberty will have a new look on the court this season as they unveil new uniform designs and display a new line of WNBA-branded basketball footwear, both made by Reebok, that will be worn by the team starting this season. In addition, the WNBA will use the new SPALDING WNBA INFUSION basketball, featuring a built-in Dual Action MICRO PUMP®, as the official game ball.

New York Liberty

The new 2003 New York Liberty uniform features several new improvements including; a flatback mesh incorporated with Reebok’s playdry performance fabrication, a new angular uniform design along with an enhanced neckline. The addition of “New York” has been added to the center back neckline on the home jersey as “liberty” is to be added on the road jersey. The addition of “New York” as a wordmark will also improve the look on the road jersey. Other enhancements include a secondary Liberty logo on both sides of the shorts as well as a modified WNBA logo. The most recognizable modification is the color change of black to blue on the road uniforms.

Each WNBA team will debut new uniforms this year, which 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.

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. 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.

The WNBA tips off its seventh season on Thursday, May 22, with the league’s newest broadcast partner, ABC, set to hit the air over Memorial Day Weekend when the Los Angeles Sparks travel to the Connecticut Sun on Saturday, May 24 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT). A record 2,362,430 fans attended WNBA games during the 2002 season, with an average attendance of 9,228 fans, up from 9,075 in 2001. The 2002 WNBA Finals concluded with the Los Angeles Sparks capturing their second consecutive WNBA title. For more information on the WNBA, visit www.wnba.com.

Reebok International Ltd., (NYSE:RBK), headquartered in Canton, MA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment under the Reebok, Rockport, and Greg Norman Brands and footwear under the Polo Ralph Lauren Brand. Sales for 2002 totaled approximately $3.1 billion. Reebok can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.reebok.com.

Spalding Sports Worldwide is the nation’s first full-line sporting goods company. Its leadership and innovative products have led to revolutionary breakthroughs in virtually every major sporting goods product category. Since the launch of the Spalding® NBA Infusion® basketball in February 2001, its initial first year forecast was shattered by sales of more than one million units. Recognized by Popular Science among the top 100 innovations in 2001, INFUSION spurred a 50% sales leap in the company’s product category, contributing to a 12% increase in the basketball sales market. To find more information on Spalding, visit http://www.spalding.com or call the Consumer Relations Department at 800-SPALDING (772-5346).