Allstate Sponsors Basketball Clinic for Orlando Youth; Gerald Wilkins On Hand to Share Basketball and Life Lessons.

Business & Sports Editors

NORTHBROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2004

In celebration of the upcoming 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, and in support of its recently announced USA Basketball sponsorship, Allstate is sponsoring and joining forces with USA Basketball for a series of ten youth basketball clinics at select Boys & Girls Clubs in various cities around the country. During the clinics, well-known USA Basketball players or coaches with ties to the host city will be on hand to offer insight and instruction. The series will visit Orlando on April 14, 2004 at the Universal Orlando Foundation Boys & Girls Club.

Gerald Wilkins will participate in the clinic and offer Club members and other select youth not only basketball instruction, but personal insights about the importance of hard work, dedication, sportsmanship and overall life success through sports.

The Orlando clinic is the tenth and final clinic of the series. Other clinics were held in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Oakland, Indianapolis and Dallas.

Beyond providing youth members an opportunity to participate in the clinics, The Allstate Foundation will make a $5,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club in each clinic city for a total contribution of $50,000.

Allstate's role as Official Home and Auto Insurance sponsor of USA Basketball is in addition to the company's 2004 U.S. Olympic Team sponsorship. The company recently announced a second key component when it was introduced as presenting sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Fame. Allstate's involvement with the U.S. Olympic Movement commenced with the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and stems from a marketing initiative designed to gain increased visibility for its corporate and industry leadership. For more information about Allstate, visit www.allstate.com.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate provides insurance products to more than 16 million households and has approximately 12,900 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agents, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800-Allstate(R). Encompass(SM) and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group includes the businesses that provide life insurance, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agents, independent agents, worksite, financial institutions and broker-dealers.

Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in international basketball competitions like the Olympics and World Championships, as well as for some national competitions.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 3,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3.6 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.