Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.'s 989 Sports™ Brings the Playstation®2 Computer Entertainment System and NFL Gameday™ 2001 to Super Bowl XXXV

Providing thousands of NFL fans the opportunity to enrich their Super Bowl by experiencing the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the 989 Sports'™ development team's latest installation of the popular NFL GameDay™ football franchise, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) Inc. announced a full week of exciting fan-based events in conjunction with Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa, Fla. The events, running from January 20-28, 2001, will include the 989 Sports NFL Players Party, the sixth annual "Game Before the Game®," the Locker Room Challenge, the NFL Experience and Maxim Magazine/HollyRod Foundation's Pure RUSH party.

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The annual 989 Sports "Game Before the Game" Super Bowl preview event, open to media only on Thursday, January 25, at 7:00 p.m., will pit two standouts from each competing team in a NFL GameDay 2001 challenge on the PlayStation 2. For the past six years, two Super Bowl participants have represented their respective teams in this unique videogame football event with Marshall Faulk of the world champion St. Louis Rams defeating the Tennessee Titans' Frank Wycheck last year.

Highlighting Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.'s participation in Super Bowl week is the 989 Sports NFL Players Party, which takes place January 26-28 at the Cuban Club in Ybor City, Fla. This event provides thousands of fans the opportunity to mingle with NFL players while enjoying food, drink, music and interactive entertainment including kiosks featuring NFL GameDay 2001 for the PlayStation 2, as well as other games. On Saturday, January 27, SCEA's 989 Sports will host the Locker Room Challenge at 4:00 p.m. during NFL Player Mania at the NFL Players Party. The Locker Room Challenge will feature eight of the NFL's top gamers in a single elimination tournament to determine the league's top NFL GameDay 2001 player.

Throughout the week, from January 20-21 and 25-28, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. will participate in the NFL Experience, 20 acres of interactive football attractions and exhibits located adjacent to Raymond James Stadium. Fans will have the opportunity to play NFL GameDay 2001 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system as well as other PlayStation 2 titles on the 68-foot PlayStation 2 interactive truck. A consumer competition will take place at the truck on Saturday, January 20 with the winner netting a PlayStation 2 and NFL GameDay 2001.

On Friday, January 26, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. sponsors Pure RUSH, an exciting Super Bowl party presented by Maxim Magazine and hosted by television personality Daisy Fuentes and supermodel Nikki Taylor in which partygoers mingle with high profile celebrities and athletes as well as challenge their friends to a game of NFL GameDay 2001 for PlayStation 2. Proceeds benefit the HollyRod Foundation in support of Parkinson's disease research and awareness.

"Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. and 989 Sports are pleased to contribute to an exciting week of Super Bowl activities," said Sharon Shapiro, director, promotions, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. "Sony Computer Entertainment America's involvement with the 989 Sports NFL Players Party and the NFL Experience provide football fans with a unique way to get closer to the NFL, its players, and the gaming experience that only the PlayStation 2 delivers."

  Sony Computer Entertainment America Super Bowl Event Schedule
  NFL Experience
  Where:  Raymond James Stadium Lot   When:  January 20-21 and 25-28

What: In conjunction with the NFL Experience, consumers will have the opportunity to sample NFL GameDay™ 2001 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system as well as other PlayStation 2 titles on the 68-foot PlayStation 2 interactive truck. A consumer challenge will take place on Saturday, January 20 with the winner netting a PlayStation 2 and NFL GameDay 2001.

  989 Sports "Game Before the Game®" (Media and VIPS Only)
  Where:  Cuban Club   When:  January 25 at 7:00 p.m.
  2010 Avenue Republic De Cuba (Ybor City)

What: The sixth annual "Game Before the Game" will pit two participants from Super Bowl XXXV in an NFL GameDay 2001 competition in a PlayStation 2 preview of the big game.

  989 Sports NFL Players Party
  Where:  Cuban Club   When:  January 26-28.
  2010 Avenue Republic De Cuba (Ybor City)

What: Three-day celebration allowing thousands of fans the opportunity to mingle with numerous NFL players while enjoying food, drink, music and interactive entertainment including kiosks featuring NFL GameDay 2001 for the PlayStation 2, as well as other games. The 989 Sports Players Party is comprised of:

-- Premiere Party -- Friday, January 26 from 7:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

A high-profile, yet intimate party with four themed floors allows partygoers to mingle with NFL players and sample NFL GameDay 2001 for PlayStation 2, hosted by Light Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr. and featuring the music of DJ Kid Capri

-- NFL Player Mania -- Saturday, January 27 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Opportunity to mix with NFL players with giveaways, autographs and photo opportunities as well as play NFL GameDay 2001 for the PlayStation 2

The annual Locker Room Challenge pitting eight of the NFL's top PlayStation 2 players starts at 4:00 p.m. to crown the League's NFL GameDay 2001 champion

-- The "Super Bowl of Parties" -- Sunday, January 28 from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Super Bowl XXXV ticket giveaways each half-hour

Fans can "select a seat in the giant living room" to watch the game with live play-by-play and NFL player commentary during the game

     Officially licensed NFL players' merchandise giveaways
     Portion of proceeds will benefit local chapter of the Special Olympics

  Maxim Magazine/HollyRod Foundation Pure RUSH Party
  Where:  A La Carte Pavilion    When:  January 26 at 9:00 p.m.
  4050 Dana Shores (Tampa)

What: A hot Super Bowl party presented by Maxim and hosted by television personality Daisy Fuentes and supermodel Nikki Taylor in which partygoers mingle with high profile celebrities and athletes as well as challenge their friends to a game of NFL GameDay 2001 for PlayStation 2. Proceeds benefit the HollyRod Foundation in support of Parkinson's disease research and awareness.

Founded by the NFLPA in 1994, PLAYERS INC creates and develops marketing opportunities for current and former NFL players. Representing over 1,800 active and 3,000 retired NFL players, PLAYERS INC "takes the helmets off the players," giving fans the opportunity to see the players' personalities and talents off the field. PLAYERS INC is involved in licensed merchandise programs, corporate sponsorships and promotions, special events, music and video recordings, as well as television, radio and Internet (http://www.nflplayers.com/). PLAYERS INC schedules more than 1,000 NFL player appearances each year.

989 Sports is the sports software brand of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Known for its top-selling sports franchise titles such as NFL GameDay™, MLB™, NBA ShootOut, NHL FaceOff™, NCAA® Final Four® and NCAA® GameBreaker™, the 989 Sports development team is committed to developing authentic and innovative sports games to appeal to both the professional athlete and hard-core sports videogame fan.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PS one game console and PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America

Contact: Scott Floyd of BNC, 310-205-8385, or sfloyd@bncpr.com, for
Sony Computer Entertainment America; or Jamie Tica of Sony Computer
Entertainment America, 858-824-5854, or jamie_tica@playstation.sony.com

Website: http://www.playstation.com/