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Kia Motors Drives Performance Awards

September 16, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release


NEW YORK, Sept. 16, 2009 - The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Kia Motors America today announced the automaker will extend its ongoing commitment to performance and present four of the league's most illustrious season-ending awards.

For the first time ever, a single WNBA marketing partner will present the WNBA Most Valuable Player, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, WNBA Most Improved Player, and WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, grouped under the banner of "The WNBA Performance Awards presented by Kia Motors." As the official presenter of the awards, Kia Motors will be incorporated into the formal award presentations and will receive prominent branding in the awards coverage on WNBA.com.

The recipients of the 2009 WNBA Performance Awards presented by Kia Motors will be announced during the 2009 WNBA Playoffs presented by adidas, which begin today.

"Kia Motors is a dynamic brand and a wonderful partner, and we are thrilled to have them extend its Performance Awards program to the WNBA," said WNBA President Donna Orender. "These four awards represent the pinnacle of performance in our game and to have them supported by a partner with a proven track record of delivering performance is a natural fit."

"The WNBA is filled with tremendous athletes and the four prestigious performance awards recognize the league's most outstanding players for their skills and accomplishments," said Michael Sprague, Vice President of Marketing, Kia Motors America. "As a Proud Partner of the WNBA, Kia Motors is delighted to present the WNBA Performance Awards and reward players who have made significant achievements."

For the past two seasons, Kia Motors has presented the NBA Performance Awards, which includes four NBA end-of-season awards: Most Valuable Player Award, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man Award, and Most Improved Player, along with the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month.

Kia Motors has been an official marketing partner of the WNBA since the 2008 season.

Each of the four WNBA season-ending awards is selected by a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Following is an overview of the four awards that will be presented by Kia Motors.

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