AT&T Wireless, AT&T blue room, AT&T U-verse(SM) TV to Feature Exclusive USA Basketball Content for Fan

USA Basketball and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a new agreement that makes the global communications company an Official Partner of the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team.

This wide-reaching agreement will provide AT&T and its customers with exclusive USA Basketball team online and Video on Demand content. Along with exclusive wireless and online content, AT&T will also feature its products and services through special USA Basketball-themed marketing materials.

Fans can connect to exclusive USA Basketball content today through AT&T blue room (http://www.attblueroom.com/TEAMUSA) and soon through AT&T CV on AT&T 3G wireless handsets, and on AT&T U-verse(SM) TV via AT&T Team USA On Demand. Fans will enjoy access to exclusive behind-the-scenes footage including selection of the team, USA Basketball Training Camp, exhibition game highlights, USA Basketball video segments, interviews with athletes and coaches and other vignettes. AT&T blue room and AT&T Team USA On Demand will keep fans connected to the U.S. Olympic Team with webcasts and footage of events, plus exclusive interviews with Team USA hopefuls.

In addition to content, AT&T will launch a “USA Basketball Communicator,” an AT&T-developed branded downloadable widget for users to view USA Basketball news, information, and schedules. Fans can go online and download the “USA Basketball Communicator” from the AT&T blue room or http://www.usabasketball.com/.

“The dedication, teamwork, and commitment of our USA Basketball Senior National Team exemplifies the Olympic spirit,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball executive director. “We are pleased to partner with AT&T to offer fans exclusive content, connecting them to this extremely committed and hardworking team and the excitement of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.”

“As a proud sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team, we’re thrilled to add another great sport to our roster,” said Jason Simpson, AT&T director of Olympic integration. “We’re excited to offer fans across the country unique USA Basketball content, consistent with our goal to connect consumers to the athletes through as many venues as possible.”

AT&T is an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and provides significant financial support, products and services to the U.S. Olympic Committee. AT&T will also serve as the official telecommunications services partner of the U.S. Olympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition to supporting USA Basketball, the company serves as an official partner for several National Governing Bodies, including USA Diving, USA Track & Field, USA Gymnastics and USA Swimming.

Source: AT&T Inc.

The Christies Continue To Give Back While Keeping Their Bond Strong

NBA star Doug Christie and his wife, Jackie, are planning to marry yet again on Tuesday, July 8th in Seattle, Washington in a lavish ultra private ceremony. This will be the 13th wedding for the power couple who have made this a family tradition.

Doug and Jackie have a distinctly unique bond, which spans 16 years of both public acclaim and scrutiny. Their first book, No Ordinary Love: A True Story of Marriage and Basketball, released through their publishing company Infinite Love Publishing, provides a candid look at the Christies’ own relationship and illustrates how mutual respect, friendship, and a commitment to monogamy serve as the foundation of their marriage. Their book presents unique advice and detailed recommendations for not only making relationships work but also making them last.

Aside from past public scrutiny as well as untrue rumors that the Christie’s had to endure, affected not only their personal life but professional life as well. Most recent was that of veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy who refereed games in the NBA during Doug’s tenure with the Sacramento Kings in 2002. Tim Donaghy was accused of betting on basketball games over the past two seasons and most recently admitted to cheating in game 6 of the semi-finals that year between the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball teams. “I am devastated to now find out the game was not officiated fairly,” says Christie. “Not just for myself and my family but for my teammates as well who put their heart and soul on the line, the fans and the players out there on the floor right now. Who can tell what’s ‘real’ and what’s fake?”

“We strive to be positive role models and make good things happen for everyone, that is why we established our companies to make a difference,” said Jackie Christie.

None of the harsh treatment they face, will stop Doug and Jackie from doing what is important to them. To mark their 13th anniversary, the couple will donate $100,000.00 (US) to charity and plan to invite 100 gay and lesbian couples to join them next July for their 14th wedding to marry in one joint ceremony. We will be honored to do it said Jackie Christie. They continue to participate in non-profit organizations such as the BLACK HIV/AIDS Institute helping to raise awareness on the wide spread epidemic surrounding the disease, as well as their work with longtime Seattle, Washington charity the Millionaires Club, amongst others.

“The power couple is also responsible for inspiring so many other couples including celebrity couples, to marry more than once, we are so happy to see so many people now choosing to marry multiple times, or renew their vows privately and publicly. Our hearts warm when someone say’s thank you for inspiring us,” said Doug Christie.

The Christie’s daughter, role model and multi talented entertainer Chani, whom recently released her debut album, ‘My Dream’ is following in her parents footsteps with her own philanthropy as well. By being named the YMCA National Youth Spokesperson, as well as, the United States youth ambassador for HIV/AIDS Awareness.

Source: Infinite Love Publishing

Includes NBA Europe Live Presented by EA SPORTS and Basketball Without Borders India

American Airlines and The National Basketball Association (NBA) have reached a marketing partnership that includes several of the league’s most prominent international grassroots initiatives featuring activities in nine countries.

American Airlines will serve as the official airline of 2008 NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS(TM), the NBA’s European tour, which will return for its third consecutive year in October. American Airlines will also serve as a partner of the NBA’s first-ever event in India, Basketball without Borders 2008 — the league’s international basketball development and community outreach program — which will be held in New Delhi July 3-6.

American Airlines will also support several other NBA international grassroots events, including NBA 3 x 3 and NBA Madness in Japan, NBA 3 x 3 in Mexico, and additional NBA events in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia and the UK. American will have a prominent presence at each grassroots event and will be incorporated into various on-site activities and promotions.

The partnership is an expansion of American Airlines previous support of NBA international events, which included Basketball without Borders in Shanghai, China, in 2006, a preseason game between the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in October 2006, and NBA Europe Live 2007 in London, which featured a preseason game between the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Our relationship with American Airlines illustrates the collaborative nature of our efforts to grow the game internationally and allows us to bring our fans an authentic NBA experience through a wide range of events and community programs,” said Emilio Collins, Vice President - International Development for the NBA.

“We are thrilled to announce our international partnership with the NBA and honored to be an integral part of their charitable programs worldwide, especially in India, which we have served since 2005,” said Billy Sanez, Director - Advertising, Promotions and Corporate Communications for American Airlines. “American’s extensive global reach makes this a particularly exciting partnership. We applaud the NBA and are pleased to help bring Basketball without Borders to the world.”

As part of 2008 NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS, the Miami Heat, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards will play preseason games in Barcelona, Berlin, London and Paris in October. Following NBA Europe Live 2008, NBA teams will have played 48 games in 18 cities in Europe over the past two decades. Last year’s seven NBA Europe Live games drew more than 10.3 million viewers, 75,000 spectators, and were supported by 23 marketing partners.

Basketball without Borders 2008 will take place in New Delhi, India; Istanbul, Turkey; and Johannesburg, South Africa, this summer. The NBA and International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) global basketball development and community outreach program unites elite young basketball players to promote the sport and encourage positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness in local communities. To date, Basketball without Borders has featured more than 250 current and former NBA players, coaches and team personnel from 30 different teams who served as camp coaches and mentors for more than 1,200 young athletes from more than 100 countries and territories on five continents.

NBA Madness, the NBA’s interactive basketball lifestyle event consisting of basketball activities, musical performances and special appearances by NBA players, dance teams and mascots, will visit Tokyo, Japan, August 29-31. NBA 3 x 3 is focused on developing future generations of NBA fans by growing the game of basketball internationally. It consists of regional basketball tournaments where winning teams from each respective region will advance to a championship game. The event visited Mexico City on May 24 and 25, and will visit six Japanese cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sendai, and Takamatsu in July and August.

Source: American Airlines Web site: http://www.aa.com/