Continental Basketball Association Announces Hirings for New Marketing Team.

Sports Editors/Basketball Writers & Columnists

PHOENIX--(BW SportsWire)--June 30, 2000

The Continental Basketball Association announced today the addition of key marketing personnel to spearhead the League's efforts to improve overall business operations and increase visibility of the CBA brand.

Tabitha Hayes has been named vice president, marketing; Jessica VanDenTop, has been named director, national sponsorships; Matthew Fendon has been promoted to manager, media relations; and Matthew Perry has been promoted to manager, web and E-commerce marketing.

The CBA is the longest running professional basketball league in the United States and is owned by NBA legend and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas.

"The newest members of the CBA marketing team bring high levels of energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the League office," said Don Welsh, president and chief marketing officer for the League. "Each of these individuals has embraced the mission of the CBA to provide first class entertainment to basketball fans in emerging sports markets throughout the United States. They play critical roles in the continued brand-building of the CBA."

Tabitha Hayes, Vice President, Marketing

Tabitha Hayes is responsible for overseeing the building of overall brand equity and awareness through traditional and non-traditional marketing programs. Tabitha will oversee media relations, national sponsorships, and information and E-commerce programs through the CBA's web site, www.cbahoops.com. Prior to joining the CBA, Ms. Hayes provided marketing and sponsorship assistance for the ABL's Seattle Reign and The Gary Payton Foundation. Ms. Hayes recently completed her Master's degree in Sports Marketing and International Business at the University of Oregon.

Jessica VanDenTop, Director, National Sponsorships,

As Director, national sponsorships, Jessica VanDenTop will conduct sponsorship and related sales and marketing efforts for the League on a nationwide basis. Previously, she served as director of sales and marketing for the CBA's Sioux Falls, (SD) Skyforce. Last season, VanDenTop's Skyforce sales staff generated over $1.5 million in corporate sales. VanDenTop received a Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of South Dakota.

Matthew Fendon, Manager, Media Relations

Matthew Fendon reports directly to Deron Filip, director, media relations. Fendon's duties include assisting with all League publications, coordinating interview requests, serving as a liaison between the league office and the team public relations directors, as well as helping to maintain the web site. Prior to his promotion, Fendon served as an intern in the CBA media relations department and as an intern for the ABC-TV affiliate in Phoenix. Fendon earned his undergraduate degree in Communications from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Matthew Perry, Manager, Web and E-Commerce Marketing

Matthew Perry's responsibilities include developing and maintaining marketing programs involving the League web site. Prior to his new position, he served as an intern in the CBA media relations department and in the sales department for the Arizona Cardinals. Perry earned his Bachelor's degree in Marketing from Boston College.

The Continental Basketball Association was founded in 1946 as the Eastern Pennsylvania Basketball League. Today, the League consists of nine teams stretching from Hartford, Conn. to Yakima, Wash. During the 1999-2000 season, the CBA transmitted games on the Internet, via video web cast, and is the first professional sports league that can call itself The Digital League(TM). The CBA's official relationship with the NBA began in 1978 as a referee developmental program and turned into a referee and player developmental program in 1980. The 1999-2000 season marked the CBA's 20th as the Official Developmental League of the NBA. Over the past 22 years (1978-2000), the League has enjoyed a total of 538 CBA-to-NBA player call-ups.