WEBBER IS ASKED TO LEAVE CARIBBEAN TOUR

Officials from Fila, the athletic-wear company that is sponsoring the
Caribbean promotional tour in which Chris Webber is participating,
announced Monday that they have asked the Kings' forward to return to the
United States from Barbados, where he was scheduled to play in an
exhibition game.

Although Fila will conduct its own investigation into the matter, U.S.
Customs Service officials Monday stood by a statement released Friday that
indicated Webber admitted ownership of a carry-on bag with 11 grams of
marijuana at the San Juan (Puerto Rico) International Airport. According to
the statement, Webber paid an administrative penalty of $500.

"In no way does Fila condone the use of illicit drugs," Jon Epstein,
president and chief executive officer of Fila, said in a statement released
by the company. "We expect our athletes to conduct themselves in an
exemplary manner on and off the court, and we are taking this issue very
seriously. Until we have had the opportunity to speak to individuals close
to the situation, the company will withhold further comment."

Since 1997, Fila and Webber have had a multiyear endorsement contract for
an undisclosed amount.

Webber's agent, Fallasha Erwin, says the marijuana and the bag in which it
was found belonged to Webber's traveling companion, a woman identified by
customs officials as Shane Johnson.

"I've talked with Chris and the representative from Fila who was traveling
with him and (Detroit's) Jerry Stackhouse," Erwin said. "The Fila
representative said he was with Chris the entire time.

"The representative, who asked me not to divulge his name, said the party
was getting ready to leave on the flight to Barbados. Dogs determined that
there was a suspect bag and asked for Jerry Stackhouse because it was
tagged to him.

"His name was on all of the bags, and once he notified the officials that
the bag in question was not his, the entire party was called back. Chris'
traveling companion claimed the bag. The Fila representative said the lady,
accompanied by a customs official, went to an ATM to get money to pay the
fine and returned to do that and sign the agreement."

Erwin said the matter was believed to have been completed when one of the
officials asked to see Webber's passport and wanted him to sign the paper.

"Chris wanted to know why and refused to sign the paper," Erwin said.
"Still, the agreement was listed with his name on it."

Erwin said the bag had high-heeled shoes and other women's articles.
Customs spokesman Pat Jones indicated otherwise Monday.

"We're sticking to our story," Jones said. "It happens to be the truth. One
of our dogs was alerted to a piece of luggage filled with men's clothes and
size-16 shoes, and 11 grams of marijuana hidden in a sock.

"Chris Webber claimed the luggage was his, he paid his fine, and he was
very cooperative."

Webber appears unable to stay out of his own way despite admitted and clear
attempts to do so.

"He's been trying to stay as low-key as possible," Erwin said of Webber,
who still faces charges stemming from a January altercation with police in
Maryland after they stopped his vehicle.

He also was named in a complaint, since determined unfounded by a grand
jury, of sexual assault.

"Yet it seems like no matter how much we try to get the slate clean," Erwin
said, "something keeps happening."

Checked-by: Pat Dolan