News Briefs

THE HOME DEPOT:

has renewed its sponsorship for three years with CBS Sports as the title sponsor of its SEC College Football broadcasts through 2005.

BOISE CASCADE: Boise, ID, has agreed to purchase Cleveland-based OfficeMax, Inc., for $1.15 billion in cash and stock. The deal will more than double Boise Cascade's office products business.

U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO CO.: has launched Skoal Vanilla Blend, which combines American-grown, premium tobaccos with the flavor of vanilla. The new product will be available at retail beginning Sept. 15. Last year, the firm debuted Berry Blend.