Boost Mobile Signs Multi-Year Deal as Title Sponsor; Scion Drives Away With
2006 Presenting Sponsorship
MLG's Pro Circuit to Reach Millions through Airings on USA Network and the
Boost Mobile Network, in Addition to 24/7 Access at MLGpro.com
The 'Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit presented by Scion' Kicks
Off This Weekend at the Meadowlands; Travels to Seven U.S. Cities This Year
NEW YORK CITY, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Gaming (MLG), the
first professional video game league, today announced major sponsorship and
programming deals that will catapult professional video gaming into the
mainstream. Details of the partnerships include an agreement to air the
entire pro circuit on USA Network, the top-rated basic cable network in
America, in seven one-hour long episodes during the holiday season.
By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport
and packaging the competition for the mass market, MLG is opening up new
opportunities for consumers, game publishers, and media partners to connect
with highly targeted, engaged and loyal consumers.
"After three years of grassroots initiatives to build a credible,
authentic professional video game league, MLG is now on the threshold of
truly breaking through to the mass market," said Mike Sepso, co-founder and
CEO of MLG. "The time is right for a full fledged sports media business
dedicated solely to creating the next major league sport in America, and
attracting top-notch sponsors and major network partners can only
accelerate the MLG phenomenon."
Sponsor support:
-- Boost Mobile, a leading youth lifestyle brand, has signed a multi-year
title sponsorship deal with MLG, which includes a partnership to
distribute exclusive MLG content on Boost Mobile(R) phones. In
addition, MLG pros will use the Boost(TM) phones equipped with
Boost(TM) walkie-talkie service to instantly communicate with their
teammates during the events.
-- Scion has committed to a Presenting sponsorship with MLG for the 2006
Season, and will award the "most improved" player on the 2006 MLG pro
circuit a limited-production Scion xB Release Series 3.0 at the
culmination of the season.
-- Boost and Scion have also signed on to be presenting sponsors for the
MLG Pro Invasion Bus Tour, which will kick off in the summer and make
100 stops around the country. The Tour features MLG pros traveling
across the U.S. in search of the next generation of professional
gamers.
Broad distribution of Major League Gaming programming:
-- League programming, available at MLGpro.com all year long, will
culminate in seven one-hour episodes that will air on the USA Network
during the holiday season, the key retail season for the video game
industry.
-- Major League Gaming will offer original content to Boost Mobile
customers, which include more than 2.6 million people. Boost customers
will have exclusive access to video highlights and player profiles from
the Pro Circuit presented throughout the year.
Live events and prize money:
-- The first event of the "Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit
presented by Scion" is this Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, at the
Meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ. The tournament kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on
Friday and the championship events are held on Sunday (doors open at
10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Attendance is free and is on a
first come, first serve basis. Door prizes will be given out daily,
including a fully loaded Xbox 360. Early registration at mlgpro.com
will help ensure a reserved seat.
-- The pro circuit will also travel to Dallas (May), Atlanta (June),
Los Angeles (July) and Philadelphia (August). The playoffs will be held
in Chicago (October) and the National Championships will be held in
Las Vegas (November).
-- Over $800,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to winning teams and
players throughout the year.
-- The "most improved" player of the circuit will win a limited-production
2006 Scion xB Release Series 3.0.
For media who would like to attend the event this weekend, please
contact mlg@sutherlandgold.com.
About MLG (Major League Gaming)
MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game
competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a
sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media
partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle
enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG
operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across
the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a
variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's
Pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More
information can be found at http://www.mlgpro.com. More information can be found
at http://www.mlgpro.com.
MLG 2006 pro tour dates: New York (April 21-23); Dallas (May); Atlanta
(June); Los Angeles (July), Philadelphia (August); Playoffs-Chicago
(October); National Championship-Las Vegas (November).
CONTACT:
MLG
Amy Janzen
+1-917-209-6819
amy@sutherlandgold.com
SOURCE Major League Gaming
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