ESPN and eBay Launch ESPN Auctions; ESPN Joins eBay`s Auction for America Efforts
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 4 -- ESPN, Inc., and eBay have
launched ESPN Auctions ( http://www.ESPNauctions.com ), a year-round, online
marketplace offering fans authentic, exclusive sports experiences and products
from ESPN.
To launch the program, ESPN, the Worldwide Leader in Sports, has joined
with eBay, the World`s Online Marketplace, to contribute to its Auction for
America, the online charity effort benefiting the victims, their families and
communities affected by the tragic events of September 11. Beginning today
through Thursday, December 13, ESPN Auctions will give 100% of the proceeds
from items to the September 11th Children`s Fund.
Items for the Auction for America effort include:
-- A day at ESPN`s Bristol, Conn., headquarters with the hosts of "NFL
Countdown" and "NFL PrimeTime"; in addition to attending both shows,
guests will watch that day`s games with the crews and commentator;
-- Football autographed by members of the "NFL Countdown" crew;
-- Props from various ESPN commercial shoots;
-- Sign-in placard from "Unscripted with Chris Connelly," autographed by
guests from the show`s first month, including Dennis Miller and
Michael Andretti;
-- A skateboard deck autographed by skateboarding legend and X Games
champion Tony Hawk;
-- One-hour tennis lessons by ESPN tennis hosts Pam Shriver and Cliff
Drysdale;
-- Additional items from the cast and crew of ESPN and its broadcasts.
ESPN Auctions will continue its efforts by presenting a Winter X Games VI
auction from December 10-20, providing fans the opportunity to bid on trips to
Aspen, Colorado, for the Games, which take place January 17-20. These trips
allow fans the opportunity to present an award at an X Games event, be an
honorary X Games athlete or get a behind-the-scenes look at the Games.
In addition, ESPN Auctions will present a charity auction from December
10-20 benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a charitable
organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to find a cure for cancer.
Items surrounding the Jimmy V Classic Presented by Mercedes Benz basketball
tournament on Dec. 18 will be donated, including:
-- A Dick Vitale package: autographed copy of his book "Holding Court,"
VHS video and autographed basketball;
-- Autographed copies of Bob Valvano`s new book, "The Gifts of Jimmy V,"
and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski`s books, "Five Point Play" and "Leading
With the Heart";
-- Basketballs signed by tournament coaches;
-- Actual basketball goal nets from the Jimmy V Classic games.
"Sports fans are the most intense enthusiasts we know. We`re always
looking for ways to respond to requests from fans to let them get even closer
to the ESPN sports experiences they love, and working with eBay on this new
initiative is an exciting way to do that," said Rick Alessandri, vice
president, ESPN.
Added Bill Cobb, senior vice president, global marketing, eBay, "ESPN
Auctions on eBay is a destination where sports fans from around the world can
find some of the best items and experiences from the leading sports source.
We are thrilled eBay members have access to these amazing opportunities, some
of which benefit Auction for America."
About ESPN Auctions
ESPN Auctions presented by eBay is an online marketplace from ESPN
featuring authentic, exclusive sports experiences and products from the
company. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN, Inc., "The Worldwide Leader In Sports,"
is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt
Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.
ESPN, Inc. includes six domestic television networks, ESPN International, ESPN
Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Regional Television, SportsTicker and
ESPN Enterprises, overseeing brand extensions such as the ESPN Zone. Sister
auction Web sites from The Walt Disney Company include Disney Auctions
( http://www.disneyauctions.com ) and ABC Auctions ( http://www.abcauctions.com ).
About eBay
eBay is The World`s Online Marketplace(TM). Founded in 1995, eBay created
a powerful platform for the sale of goods and services by a passionate
community of individuals and businesses. On any given day, there are millions
of items across thousands of categories for sale on eBay, as well as on
Half.com, eBay`s site dedicated to fixed price trading. eBay enables trade on
a local, national and international basis with customized sites in markets
around the world.
About Auction for America
"Auction for America" enables eBay users to buy and sell goods or donate
cash via the Internet site specifically to help the victims, their families
and communities of the terrorist attacks. One hundred percent of all proceeds
will benefit one of six charitable organizations selected by the seller,
including the September 11 Children`s Fund, the Robin Hood Relief Fund,
September 11th Fund, the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund, the
Twin Towers Fund and the American Red Cross.
For further information, please contact Brandy Phillips of Weber
Shandwick, +1-310-407-6577, brphillips@webershandwick.com, for ESPN Auctions.
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