Date: 2/22/02
Author: Primedia Press Release

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New Gravity Games Partnership

CLEVELAND, OHIO – Cleveland will host the fourth annual Gravity Games, the world’s leading action sports festival, July 27 – August 4, 2002, Gravity Games and city officials announced today. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will serve as the Games' hub of activities.

"This is very exciting for Cleveland," said Mayor Jane L. Campbell. "The Gravity Games is a terrific opportunity to showcase our city as a dynamic place for young people to live, work and play."

The Gravity Games is the highest-rated, and the best-attended event of its kind. With more than 300,000 spectators, competitors, corporate sponsors and celebrities expected, the event will bring more than $30 million in economic impact to the city of Cleveland. Ten hours of national broadcast time domestically on the NBC Television Network along with an extensive international television schedule will further showcase the best of Cleveland.

"NBC Sports is thrilled to be televising the Gravity Games from Cleveland which represents a perfect match of Gravity's emerging sports with Cleveland's music roots," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Sports and Olympics. "The Gravity Games have been a great vehicle for both NBC and our Gravity sponsors to reach the all-important, young demographic. We look forward to working with Cleveland in making the Gravity Games bigger and better than ever."

The Gravity Games features more than 200 of the world's best professional action sports athletes competing in Freestyle BMX, Freestyle Motocross, Street Luge, Skateboarding, and Wakeboarding events. In the heart of the action is an interactive festival village. The festival village features something for everyone, from live concerts from some of today's top bands to the latest in action sports equipment and fashion to interactive demos and athlete autograph sessions.

"The Gravity Games is not only about exciting action sports, it is about a lifestyle," said Jim Ritts, president and CEO of PRIMEDIA Television. "The marriage of the Gravity Games and Cleveland, a city which represents one of the bedrock’s of American society, rock and roll, is a perfect fit. We are confident that this partnership will achieve its goal of making the 2002 Summer Games in Cleveland a tremendous success."

Gravity Games Executive Director Wade Martin added, "With its large assortment of sporting venues, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and some of the most fanatical sports fans in the country, Cleveland is truly a big league city and a logical destination for the continued growth of the Gravity Games. We look forward to forging a strong partnership with the City and making the 2002 Summer Games in Cleveland the best Gravity Games yet."

Many parties were involved in bringing the Gravity Games to Cleveland including the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Firstar, Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland. "This was a major community-wide effort to attract one of the most significant sporting events in the country," noted David Gilbert, President of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the organization that led the effort to attract the Gravity Games. "It is indicative of the dedication and cooperation that has made Cleveland a national leader in hosting major sporting events."

For more information on the Gravity Games log on to www.gravitygames.com.

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