SASKATOON -- Fear not that the 2005 Edmonton Brier will be held without a title sponsor for the first time in its history. "We've had discussions with Warren Hansen and they are postive there will be someone stepping up to the table,'' said chairman Terry Morris.

Brier boss Hansen said it's possible that somebody may replace Nokia, the telephone company which has sponsored the Brier for the last four years but is at the end of its contract when this Brier concludes.

Hansen said it hasn't happened and may not happen.

"We are still in discussions with Nokia.

''They may be back as title sponsor or as a secondary sponsor. I'm very confident we'll have a title sponsor for the future. The Brier is the easiest property we have to sell.''

Macdonald Tobacco sponsored the Brier from 1927 to 1979 before giving way to Labatt which carried on from 1980 to 2000.

Title sponsorship is believed to be in the $1-million range per year. The Edmonton Brier is going to provide the biggest bonanza in the history of the Brier if they hit the goal of a record 300,000 in attendance.

The Canadian Curling Association receives 60% of Brier revenues from the organizing committee. Edmonton platinum all-events tickets sell for $500 (up from $375 in 1999), with gold tickets at $450 (up from $300 in 1999).

In the 17 days in which tickets were for sale to Albertans only for the Brier, which will celebrate the 100th birthday of the province, a total of 3,838 all-events passes had been sold - 1,776 in the platinum category and 1,316 in the gold.

Roughly 10,000 seats at Rexall Place are involved in the two categories.

Even without a title sponsor, the extra revenue, likely to be provided by Edmonton 2005, would likely cover the loss.

"We'll have a title sponsor. And at this point we're not saying that sponsor won't be Nokia,'' said Hansen.