Name Change Better Aligns the Business with ESPN Platforms

In an effort to accurately capture and reflect a growing business, ESPN announced today that it will now brand its high school sports initiatives ESPN High School.  The new name provides ESPN the flexibility to package all of its high school sports content --for both student-athletes and fans--across all platforms.   

 “ESPN is committed to providing the best high school sports content for fans while creating specific high-quality content and tools for the athlete themselves,” said Glenn Rosenbloom, vice president and general manager, ESPN High School.  “By renaming this business, it clearly defines our mission and brings this property into better alignment with the rest of the ESPN networks and content platforms.”

 ESPN High School is a multiplatform business, launched in 2008 under the ESPN RISE banner, which serves high school student-athletes and high school fans online, in print and through televised events.  High school sports fans are passionate about their teams with current research provided by Luker on Trends showing that 55% of adults are fans of high school sports and 85% of males (12-17) are fans of high school sports.

 ESPN High School provides content for student-athletes and fans in print through ESPNHS magazines (Guy and Girl Editions); annual football and basketball preview issues; digital content on ESPNhighschool.com; television events including ESPN High School Football Kickoff and by hosting more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Boost Mobile Elite 24, National High School Invitational, Warrior 40, Area Code Baseball and Nike SPARQ Combines and Nike Football Training Camps.

 The ESPN High School brand will debut on television during the Boost Mobile Elite 24 on Aug. 26-27 and the ESPN High School Football Kickoff slated for Aug. 26-28.  ESPN will air 13 football games that weekend across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN3.com.  The new branding identity will roll-out across ESPN High School platforms throughout August.

 About ESPN High School

ESPN High School is a multiplatform business which serves high school student-athletes and high school sports fans.  It provides high school student-athletes with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals, while offering fans compelling content across platforms.  ESPN High School assets include ESPNHS Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNHIGHSCHOOL.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook and Twitter); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball and Nike Football Combines and Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN High School is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and their fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms.

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Four High Schools Chronicled; Kenny Chesney Pens Theme Song  

ESPN’s new original series RISE UP will be telling the story of four communities coming together to renovate their local high school’s athletic facilities.  The inspirational, four-episode series will showcase renovation projects from start to finish and will also focus on giving students advice, training, and tools that they can use to become better athletes.  POWERADE^® is a sponsor of RISE UP, providing hydration products for the series. 

RISE UP will debut on Tuesday, September 13, airing on consecutive Tuesdays: September 20, September 27, and October 4.  All episodes will be televised at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.  The series will be hosted by ESPN college football analyst Chris Spielman and mechanical engineer and television personality Deanne Bell.  Country super star Kenny Chesney co-wrote and will record the theme song for the series.

The schools and communities highlighted in the series are:

• Wellston High School in Wellston, OH
• The Dorchester Education Complex in Boston, MA
• Ingraham High School in Seattle, WA
• Walter H. Dyett High School in Chicago, IL

 “I am pleased to be part of a team dedicated to giving back and serving schools that have a desire to excel both on the field and off,” said Spielman.  “Our goal is to provide these students with the proper tools and equipment to give them an opportunity to succeed.  I believe what you give will grow, what you keep you will lose.” 

Inspired by ESPN RISE’s mission to engage and elevate high school athletes through recognition, resources, information, and inspiration, the series chronicles the renovation of a different school each week.  Each episode will follow as community members come together to refurbish the one thing that ties them all together – the local high school athletic program.  RISE UP will spend time with the students and coaches in each community, uncovering the challenges facing high school athletes today, and working with professional athletes, coaches, and trainers to help motivate and inspire them to reach even greater goals.

“Currently, many schools across America are suffering from budget cuts that severely limit their ability to offer sports and physical education to their students,” said Executive Producer and Vice President of ESPN Content Development Joan Lynch.  “RISE UP was created to shine a spotlight on public high schools that realize the long-term benefit of students who play sports and are maximizing their limited resources and facilities to keep their students engaged in and inspired by athletics.”

In September 2010, ESPN aired a one-hour special, RISE UP: New Orleans in which McMain Secondary High School in New Orleans was renovated over the school’s summer break so that the new facilities would be ready for the first day of school.  The special served as a pilot.  RISE UP is produced by ESPN Content Development and Asylum Entertainment.  St. Martin Brown, the design and architectural firm who championed the initial RISE UP project in New Orleans, has extended their efforts and will continue their participation as the RISE UP initiative continues nationwide.

For more details on the schools and communities RISE UP will be chronicling, visit espnrise.com/riseup.

About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl. 

About ESPN Content Development

ESPN Content Development manages the strategy and creation of original content for placement throughout ESPN’s vast media portfolio.  The unit is charged with developing and producing cross-platform programming that engages sports fans through innovation, experimentation and breakthrough sports-driven initiatives.  Programs originating from ESPN Content Development include digital features, sports documentaries from ESPN Films, scripted content, news and analysis shows, unscripted series such as E:60 and SportsNation, and sports-related feature events such as the annual ESPYs.

Media Contacts:

Jay Jay Nesheim – ESPN – 212-448-4841 – jayjay.nesheim@espn.com

Jennifer Cingari – ESPN - 212-515-1084 – jennifer.j.cingari@espn.com

For credentials, contact:  colleen.s.lynch@espn.com

July 20, 2011

First 12 Players Revealed for the 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24

Shabazz Muhammad, DaJuan Coleman, Mitch McGary all participating; ESPNU to televise game live Aug. 27 and slam dunk competition live Aug.26

 ESPN RISE has selected the first 12 players for the sixth annual 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24 event. This event features 24 of the nation’s top high school basketball players competing in Los Angeles on August 26-27 at Venice Beach.

 The 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24 (Saturday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. ET) and the Under Armour Slam Dunk Contest (Friday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m.) will both air live on ESPNU. 

 The Boost Mobile Elite 24 is the nation’s leading elite high school boys’ basketball event for underclassmen. Players are chosen based on their performance at AAU tournaments and national championships and are scouted by high school basketball experts from ESPN RISE, ESPN College Basketball Recruiting and other top talent evaluators. 

 Small forward and 2010 event alum Shabazz Muhammad leads the first 12 selected, ranked third on the ESPNU 100. Muhammad is joined by first-time participants Mitch McGary, No.4 on the ESPNU 100 and Julius Randle, class of 2013 No.1 on the ESPNU Super 60. Other returning players include three-time participant DaJuan Coleman, No.5 on the ESPNU 100 and 2009 event alum Perry Ellis, No. 9 on the ESPNU 100.

 Boost Mobile Elite 24 – 2011 First Roster Reveal: 

 Three players have already committed to colleges:  Cameron Ridley to Texas, Marcus Paige to North Carolina and Grant Jerrett to Arizona.

 Past participants have gone on to become No.1 NBA Draft picks including most recently, the 2011 Cleveland Cavaliers pick Kyrie Irving, 2009 event alum, and 2010 Washington Wizards pick John Wall, from 2008. Other top ten 2011 draftees who are alums of the Elite 24 include 2008 and 2009 alum Tristan Thomas (Cleveland Cavaliers), 2008 alum Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons) and 2007 alum Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats).

 Boost Mobile returns as the sponsor for the 2011 event, and has been since the launch of the Elite 24 in 2006. Boost Mobile is joined by Under Armour, the title sponsor of the dunk contest and the official apparel sponsor, providing state-of-the-art uniforms and performance training gear; Wilson, the official ball sponsor; and Gatorade the official hydration sponsor.

 About Boost Mobile Elite 24

Launched in 2006 by RISE Magazine, the Boost Mobile Elite 24 is the only basketball event in the country to feature the top 24 high school male basketball players regardless of class year or shoe affiliation.  Launched and played in New York’s famed Rucker Park its first four years, the event moved to Los Angles’ Venice Beach in 2010.  In the event’s first year in Venice, the Raymond Lewis Squad defeated the Marques Johnson Squad, 131-128, with the game coming down to the final possession. Teams, in the tradition of the event, are named after local playground legends. Lewis is considered one of the best talents never to play in the NBA, while Johnson participated in Los Angeles’ playground basketball scene during its formative years and went on to become a five-time NBA all-star.  Boost Mobile Elite 24 touts alumni include NBA players Kevin Love, Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, John Wall and Kyrie Irving. The game has featured guest coaches that include current and former NBA stars Chauncey Billups, Kenny Anderson, Ben Gordon, Jason Kidd and Baron Davis.  The inaugural game was the subject of the documentary “Gunnin’ for that #1 Spot”, which debuted at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, and was produced by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch and his production company Oscilloscope.

 About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

About Boost Mobile

Boost Mobile, one of Sprint’s prepaid brands, offers wireless phones and services with no long-term contracts. Boost Mobile redefines value for wireless consumers with its 'Monthly Unlimited' service, offering unlimited nationwide talk, text, Web, e-mail, IM and 411 for $50 per month, and with its 'BlackBerry Monthly Unlimited' service, offering unlimited nationwide talk, text, Web, e-mail, IM and 411 for $60 per month. Boost Mobile offers nationwide service on the Nationwide Sprint Network, reaching more than 276 million people, and on the Nextel National Network, reaching more than 277 million people, with no activation or long distance fees. Boost Mobile offers a selection of quality handsets from Motorola, Sanyo, Research In Motion (RIM) and Samsung, ranging from entry-level to high-end devices. Boost Mobile phones are available nationwide at nearly 20,000 major retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Wal-Mart, Sprint retail stores, independent wireless dealer locations, and on HSN, a leading TV home shopping network; and Re-Boost^® is available at approximately 100,000 locations throughout the United States. Experience Boost Mobile on the Web at MySpace, Facebook and Twitter; and purchase products at www.boostmobile.com.

 About Under Armour, Inc.

Under Armour^® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.  The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com.

 --30--

To request credentials for the ESPN RISE Games, contact: colleen.s.lynch@espn.com

ESPN RISE GAMES ROSTER FOR 2011 UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA SOFTBALL GAME

Nation’s 30 Best High School Softball Players to Showcase Their Talents at ESPN RISE Games

 ESPN RISE today announced the roster for the 2011 Under Armour All-America Softball Game, part of the ESPN RISE Games. A four-day gathering of the nation’s 30 best high school softball players as selected by ESPN RISE, the event will take place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in suburban Orlando, Fla., July 17-20, 2011.

 Featuring players from 14 states and six players that were selected as their state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, every member of this year’s roster has either verbally committed or signed with a top-level college program. The coaching staff will feature an elite collection of athletes that includes three-time Olympic gold medalist Leah O’Brien-Amico.

 Full roster of participants:

 * Gatorade Players of the Year

 A complete television schedule is available here. For more information, please go to: www.espnrise.com/erg

 Opening ceremonies for the ESPN RISE Games will be Saturday, July 13 at 8 p.m. ET at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

About Under Armour^® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.  The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com. 

About ESPN RISE Games

The ESPN RISE Games is a two-week-long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event, anchored by four elite high school sports events: the Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event, the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented By Champion®, the Under Armour High School Softball All-America Game and the elite 7-on-7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings. The ESPN RISE Games’ competitive channel youth sports include boys and girls lacrosse, softball, football, baseball, basketball, field hockey and track & field. The ESPN RISE Games expects to host more than 14,000 student athletes during the 2011 event.

 About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

To request credentials, please contact colleen.s.lynch@espn.com

ESPN RISE Games AAU Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion Players Announced

 The AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented by Champion will return to the ESPN RISE Games with action tipping off on Saturday, July 23 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in suburban Orlando, Fla.

 AAU 11th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion, part of the AAU National Championships held at the ESPN sports complex, features marquee 17and under club teams from across the country.  The event includes two days of pool play and a single-elimination tournament. In the past the tournament has featured future NBA players including Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Tyler Hansbrough and JJ Reddick.   

 Class of 2012 and 2013 players ranked in the ESPNU 100 and ESPNU Super 60 will square off in hopes of making it to the championship, with games airing live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. ET. Top ranked players include Isaiah Austin and Mitch McGary for the class of 2012 and Julius Randle and Nerlens Noel for the class of 2013. Additional AAU basketball games will be streamed live on ESPN3.com. Additional players may be added to the roster prior to the event.

 ESPNU 100 Ranked Players - Class of 2012:

In addition to the players listed above, Class of 2013 players attending include Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel, Troy Williams, Andrew and Aaron Harrison and Jonathan Williams III.

The ESPN RISE Games, which debuted in 2009, are a two-week long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event and are anchored by four elite high school sports events: Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event; the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion®; the Under Armour High School All-America Softball game; and the elite 7 on 7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings. For telecast schedule information, please click here.  For ESPN RISE Games information, click here.

-30-

About ESPN RISE Games

The ESPN RISE Games is a two-week-long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event, anchored by four elite high school sports events: the Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event, the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented By Champion®, the Under Armour High School Softball All-America game and the elite 7-on-7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings. The ESPN RISE Games’ competitive channel youth sports include boys and girls lacrosse, softball, football, baseball, basketball, field hockey and track & field. The ESPN RISE Games expects to host more than 14,000 student athletes during the 2011 event.

About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 hand-held and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Broadcast Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports

Champion
Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sports bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories.  Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores.  For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com or at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa.  Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI)

Amateur Athletic Union

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer, sports organizations in the United States.   The AAU was founded in 1888 and conducts over 38 sports at the grassroots level ranging from ages 3-99.  In the youth program, a simple $12 membership allows participation in over 38 sports.  The AAU partnered with the Walt Disney World Company in 1995 and serves as one of the anchor tenants to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

ESPN RISE Games: Coverage on ESPNU & ESPN3.com

More than 38 Hours of Game Action Featuring Elite and Competitive Events

 ESPNU and ESPN3.com will provide extensive coverage of the third annual ESPN RISE Games beginning Sunday, July 17 through Wednesday, July 27.  Event coverage will include more than 38 hours of live and taped programming featuring elite and competitive level student-athlete sporting events from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort  in suburban Orlando, Fla.

 ESPNU programming will include elite event coverage of the Champion All-American Showcase (lacrosse), the AAU 10^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented By Champion®, the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented by Champion®, the Under Armour High School All-America Softball game and the  Champion® Gridiron Kings. ESPN3.com live event streaming will include basketball, lacrosse and track & field events. 

 This year’s commentators will include Tom Luginbill and Justin Kutcher calling the action during the Champion Gridiron Kings telecast. Garland Cooper, Mike Corey, Quint Kessenich and Paul Biancardi will provide event analysis and play-by-play commentary for softball, lacrosse and basketball coverage on ESPNU.  On ESPN3.com, Kevin Corke, Mike Cain, Dan O’Brien and Mark Wise will provide the play-by-play and analysis.

 ESPN RISE Games ESPNU & ESPN3.com Schedule (all times ET):

 The ESPN RISE Games, which debuted in 2009, are a two-week long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event and are anchored by four elite high school sports events: Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event; the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion®; the Under Armour High School All-America Softball game; and the elite 7 on 7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings.

 In addition to its elite events, the ESPN RISE Games will include the following competitive youth sports: boys and girls lacrosse: US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, presented by Champion®, softball: USSSA Fast Pitch World Series (U15, U16 and U18); football: the Florida Premier 7s, an invite only, 7-on-7 event to feature 32 Florida high school teams; baseball: USSSA  Baseball World Series (U13, U14, U18), basketball: AAU Super Showcases (8th grade, 9th grade and 10^th grade) and AAU 8^th Grade National Championship, field hockey: Disney’s Junior Field Hockey Showcase, a USA Field Hockey Event and track & field: AAU National Club Championships (13-18). The ESPN RISE Games has grown from hosting 4,000 student athletes in 2009 to nearly 14,000 expected student athletes for the 2011 event.

 -30-

About ESPN RISE Games

The ESPN RISE Games is a two-week-long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event, anchored by four elite high school sports events: the Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event, the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented By Champion®, the Under Armour High School Softball All-America game and the elite 7-on-7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings. The ESPN RISE Games’ competitive channel youth sports include boys and girls lacrosse, softball, football, baseball, basketball, field hockey and track & field. The ESPN RISE Games expects to host more than 14,000 student athletes during the 2011 event.

About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

 About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 hand-held and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Broadcast Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports

Champion®
Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sports bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories.  Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores.  For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com or at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa.  Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI)

Under Armour^® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.  The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com. 

To request media credentials, please contact: colleen.s.lynch@espn.com

July 6, 2011

 ESPN RISE Games Champion® Gridiron Kings 2011 Roster Announced

Champion® Gridiron Kings returns to ESPN RISE Games July 23-24

 Sixty-four of the nation’s top high school football players will take the challenge and compete in the third annual Champion® Gridiron Kings event, a series of competitions featuring the best players in the game’s seven skill positions - quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety. Champion® Gridiron Kings, part of the ESPN RISE Games, will take place July 23-24 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in suburban Orlando, Fla. 

Champion® Gridiron Kings is one of four elite high school events featured in the ESPN RISE Games, a two-week event for elite and competitive level student-athletes, July 13-27. Other events include, Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event; the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion®; and the Under Armour High School All-America Softball game. 

This year, 21 of the 2011 participants are ranked in the ESPNU 150 including No.11 Travis Blanks (North Florida Christian – Tallahassee, Fla.) and No. 20 Cayleb Jones (Austin – Austin, Texas). Blanks and Jones are both ranked No. 2 in their positions - safety and wide receiver - respectfully. Players represent (17) states including Calif., Fla., Ohio and Texas.

 Coaches

Participants will be trained and coached by former NFL and CFL players including Natrone Means (RB – Chargers, Panthers, Jaguars), Donovin Darius (DB – Jaguars, Raiders, Dolphins) and Jeff Blake (QB – Jets, Bengals, Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles, Bears). 

Under Armour High School All-America Softball Game, Champion® Gridiron Kings, AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® and Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse event (boys) will be featured on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.   A complete television schedule will be made available closer to the events. For more information, please go to: www.espnrise.com/erg

Opening ceremonies for the ESPN RISE Games will be Saturday, July 13 at 8 p.m. ET at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

About ESPN RISE Games

The ESPN RISE Games is a two-week-long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event, anchored by four elite high school sports events: the Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event, the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase Presented By Champion®, the Under Armour High School Softball All-America game and the elite 7-on-7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings. The ESPN RISE Games’ competitive channel youth sports include boys and girls lacrosse, softball, football, baseball, basketball, field hockey and track & field. The ESPN RISE Games expects to host more than 14,000 student athletes during the 2011 event.

 About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 hand-held and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Broadcast Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports

Champion®
Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sports bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories.  Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores.  For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com or at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa.  Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI)

June 16, 2011

ESPN RISE Games Returns to ESPN Wide World of Sports July 13-27

ERG Expected to Host Nearly 14,000 Student Athletes

ESPN RISE and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort announced today that the ESPN RISE Games’ elite and competitive events have grown for the third straight year and will host nearly 14,000 student athletes during its 2011 event at the sports complex in suburban Orlando, Fla. The ESPN RISE Games will take place over a two week period, July 13-27.

“The mission of the ESPN RISE Games is to provide resources and recognition for the student athletes who participate,” said Glenn Rosenbloom, vice president and general manager, ESPN RISE.  “The games will be a high profile stage for them to test their skills as well as receive inspiration and life skills coaching from former athletes-- which is invaluable for them as they prepare to play at the next level.”

The ESPN RISE Games, which debuted in 2009, are a two-week long elite and competitive level student-athlete focused event and are anchored by four elite high school sports events: Champion® All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse boys and girls event; the AAU 11^th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion®; the Under Armour High School All-America Softball game; and the elite 7 on 7 high school football event Champion® Gridiron Kings.

In addition to its elite events, the ESPN RISE Games will include the following competitive youth sports: boys and girls lacrosse: US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, presented by Champion®, softball: USSSA Fast Pitch World Series (U15, U16 and U18); football: the Florida Premier 7s, an invite only, 7-on-7 event to feature 32 Florida high school

teams; baseball: USSSA  Baseball World Series (U13, U14, U18), basketball: AAU Super Showcases (8th grade, 9th grade and 10^th grade) and AAU 8^th Grade National Championship, field hockey: Disney’s Junior Field Hockey Showcase, a USA Field Hockey Event and track & field: AAU National Club Championships (13-18). The ESPN RISE Games has grown from hosting 4,000 student athletes in 2009 to nearly 14,000 expected student athletes for the 2011 event.

ESPN RISE GAMES ELITE EVENT DETAILS:

Champion All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse event is the "National All-Star Game" of high school lacrosse featuring the top high school players from across the country. The event is set up in a final four format, with two semifinal games, a third place game and a championship game. All of the teams are guaranteed practice and scrimmage time. Girls: July 17-19 Boys: July 20-22

Under Armour High School All-America Softball game will feature 30 of the top high school players in the nation divided into two squads.  Players are selected by a committee of high school softball experts from ESPN RISE.  July 18 – 19

AAU 11th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® is part of the AAU National Championships held at the ESPN sports complex and features marquee 17-under club teams from across the country.  The event includes two days of pool play and a single-elimination tournament. The tournament is a breeding ground for future NBA stars including Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Tyler Hansbrough and JJ Redick.  July 23-27

Champion® Gridiron Kings is an elite high school football event that features 64 of the best players in the game’s seven skill positions – quarterback, running back, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback and safety.  The event includes performance training, position specific training, skills challenges and a 7-on-7 competition. July 23-24

Under Armour High School All-America Softball Game, Champion Gridiron Kings, AAU 11th Grade Boys Basketball Super Showcase presented by Champion® and Champion All-American Showcase, a US Lacrosse event (boys event) and some competitive events will be presented on ESPNU and ESPN3.com live and as pre-recorded shows.

ESPN RISE GAMES COMPETITIVE EVENT DETAILS

 AAU Basketball Showcase Series (8th grade, 9^th grade and 10^th grade)

The AAU basketball showcase involves as many as 360 teams competing in various age groups, including 8th grade, ninth grade and 10^th grade. The event takes place along with the AAU Super Showcase elite event.

 US Lacrosse U15 National Championship, presented by Champion

This US Lacrosse event will host the top national U15 boys and girls lacrosse competition. The tournament features teams representing the best in the country competing in pool play and bracket play for the title of US Lacrosse U15 National Champion.

 USSSA Fast-Pitch World Series (U15, U16 and U18)

More than 110 of the top U15, U16 and U18 teams in the nation will qualify for this year’s USSSA Fastpitch World Series. Teams will play a minimum of five games and will be seeded based on current USSSA ranking points and play a round robin. All teams will be seeded into a double elimination championship bracket following pool play.

 USSSA Baseball World Series (U13, U14 and U18)

The USSSA Baseball World Series is expected to draw over 100 teams in three age groups. Teams must qualify for entry through a local or state qualifying event.  Teams compete in pool play and then move to  bracket play before crowning the World Series Champions in each age group.

 Disney’s Junior Field Hockey Showcase

Disney’s Junior Field Hockey Showcase, a USA Field Hockey event, features four days of competition, plus a USA Field Hockey High Performance Coaches clinic, to help players and teams elevate their skill levels.

 AAU National Club Championships - Track & Field

The AAU Club Championship will attract the top track & field athletes, ages 13-18, and involve more than 3,200 track & field athletes.  This five-day event serves as the final qualifying event for the AAU National Junior Olympics.

 Florida Premier 7s

The Florida Premier 7s is an “invitation-only” high school 7-on-7 competition featuring the top Class 2A – 6A high school football programs in Florida. This 7-on-7 football event involves 32 teams.

 Opening ceremonies for the ESPN RISE Games will be held Saturday, July 16 at 8 p.m. ET at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

 A complete television schedule will be released closer to the event.  For more information, please go to: www.espnrise.com/erg

 About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

 About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 hand-held and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Broadcast Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.

 Champion®
Since 1919 Champion athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including sports bras, activewear, team uniforms, sweats and accessories.  Champion athleticwear can be purchased at most sporting goods and department stores.  For more information please contact us at 1-800-999-2249, visit www.championusa.com or at www.facebook.com/champion or follow us on Twitter @Championusa.  Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE:HBI)

Under Armour^® (NYSE: UA) is a leading developer, marketer, and distributor of branded performance apparel, footwear, and accessories. The brand's moisture-wicking synthetic fabrications are engineered in many different designs and styles for wear in nearly every climate. The Company's products are sold worldwide and worn by athletes at all levels, from youth to professional, on playing fields around the globe.  The Under Armour global headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland, with European headquarters in Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, and additional offices in Denver, Hong Kong, Toronto, and Guangzhou, China. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.underarmour.com.

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 To request media credentials or additional information:

Colleen Stack Lynch, ESPN.  colleen.s.lynch@espn.com or 860-766-4235

Diane Lamb, ESPN, diane.lamb@espn.com or 860-766-2245

Tony Morreale, Disney Sports Public Relations,  tony.morreale@disney.com or 407/566-5339

May 25, 2011

Inaugural ESPN RISE Girls Showcase on ESPNU and ESPN3.com

ESPNU and ESPN3.com will present more than six hours of original action from the inaugural ESPN RISE Girls Showcase which will take place in June at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World.  This three-week event will bring together one of the biggest collections of female youth athletes in the country. Nearly 15,000 elite and recreational female athletes will compete in basketball, gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic), softball, taekwondo and volleyball June 2-22. 

“The ESPN RISE Girls Showcase is a natural progression for ESPN RISE and we are pleased to be able to bring these outstanding female athletes together in one place for three weeks of exciting competition,” said James Brown, senior vice president, ESPN RISE.  “Not only will ESPN RISE provide these young women great athletic events but also provide them the opportunity to connect with former players who can provide inspiration and guidance.”

ESPN’s Rich Hollenberg will call the action for the USA Basketball U19 game June 5, working with analyst Brooke Weisbrod. Other commentator assignments will be announced at a later date. 

Schedule:

The creation of the ESPN RISE Girls Showcase comes after the successful ESPN RISE Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The annual ESPN RISE Games made its debut in 2009 and features some of the leading boys’ and girls’ high school athletes and teams in the nation competing in baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse and softball in a two- week-long sports festival-style event. This year’s event, July 13-27, is expected to draw more than 13,000 athletes from around the country.

The Showcase will also include leadership and educational activities for all attendees, featuring current female athletes as well as marquee former athletes and coaches such as former UCLA softball head coach Sue Enquist, whose teams won 11 national titles.

Complete coverage of the event can be found at http://espnrise.com/girl

About ESPN RISE

ESPN RISE represents ESPN’s commitment to engage and elevate high school student-athletes by providing them with recognition, resources, information and inspiration to improve their skills and achieve their goals.  ESPN RISE assets include ESPN RISE Guy and Girl magazines, with special issues for football, basketball, track and recruiting; ESPNRISE.com; mobile and social media products (Facebook.com/ESPNRISE and Twitter @ESPNRISE); and more than 160 high school events including Elite 11, Elite 24, ESPN RISE Games, ESPN RISE National High School Invitational, Area Code Baseball, ESPN RISE Girls Showcase, and ESPN RISE Nike Football Combines/Nike Football Training Camps.  ESPN RISE is uniquely positioned to provide high school student-athletes and the company’s core fans with compelling high school sports content across multiple ESPN platforms. To follow ESPN RISE Girls on Facebook, please visit www.Facebook.com/espnrisegirl.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom, as well as development of its new 3-D television channel.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 hand-held and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD and 3-D Broadcast Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for press releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.

The ESPN RISE Girls Showcase adds to the growing list of elite-level national youth sports events taking place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which is widely recognized as the leading multi-sports venue in the nation. This event further cements the sports complex as the preeminent sports destination for female youth athletes, who make up a little more than half of the nearly 300,000 athletes who compete and train annually at the sports complex.

May 9, 2011

Kosner named Senior Vice President, Digital and Print Media

ESPN Executive Vice President of Content John Skipper announced that ESPN’s digital and print media operations have been consolidated under John Kosner, who will oversee ESPN The Magazine, the ESPN RISE high school publications and women’s sports content initiative espnW, as Senior Vice President of ESPN Digital and Print Media. The move is part of ESPN’s strategy to develop compelling products for sports fans, ensure efficiency and create new opportunities by bringing together similar content initiatives.

As part of the change, Rob King, most recently Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, Digital Media, will assume the role of Vice President, Editorial, Digital and Print Media, and will lead the editorial content of those initiatives while continuing to report to Kosner. Patrick Stiegman, formerly ESPN.com Executive Editor, is now Editor-in-Chief of ESPN.com. Stiegman and Chad Millman, who was recently named Editor-in-Chief of ESPN The Magazine, will both report to King.

“These new assignments are a testament to the high level of talent, experience and depth within our content group,” said Skipper. “We are blessed with an abundance of those qualities at all levels of our organization, and we are convinced that, with everyone who creates our content working cohesively, we will open doors to new ideas and new opportunities.”

Said Kosner, “Putting these brilliant content teams together enables us to serve sports fans as never before. From the smallest smart phone to the center spread of The Magazine – what we call our 23-inch ‘screen’ – we will offer not just real-time coverage of the sports you care about, but also a new level of depth and great writing that take you inside the games, teams and athletes as never before.” 

In addition to his new Print Media responsibilities, Kosner will continue to lead ESPN’s Digital Media properties, which include ESPN.com, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile, ESPN Local sites, Grantland.com, ESPN Fantasy Sports, interactive games, and other emerging digital media. Kosner, a 15-year veteran of ESPN, has overseen ESPN.com since 2003.

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