SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FEATURES STATE OF VERMONT IN SERIES OF
50 STATE-SPECIFIC WEEKLY SECTIONS

SI Senior Writer Alexander Wolff Writes on Vermont Being Grittier Than its Image Suggests

New York, NY, March 23, 2004 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED highlights the sports scene in the state of Vermont, marking the 36th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI's yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration.

Identifying the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships as a sporting event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by SI senior writer and Vermont native Alexander Wolff , plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The Vermont edition begins hitting newsstands on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 . Newsstand copies in Vermont will feature a cover-flap identifying the special state section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• The U.S. Open of snowboarding draws the world's best riders to the state that launched their sport into the mainstream, writes SI senior writer Ed Swift in "Vermont Made."
• In "Hard Truth," Wolff describes how Vermont natives know that their state is grittier than its image suggests.
• The Poll: Vermonters weigh in on their state's sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:

o Favorite major league baseball team.....Boston Red Sox (46%)
o Favorite NFL team.............New England Patriots (38%)
o Favorite NBA team.............Boston Celtics (38%)
o Favorite NHL team.............Boston Bruins (29%)
o State's Biggest Rivalry.......Red Sox-Yankees (56%)

• Enemy of the State: George Steinbrenner , as nearly everywhere else in New England, the Red Sox are top dogs in the Green Mountain State, and anyone connected to the Yankees is an enemy. Vermonters' most hated foes are the Yanks (63%) and the universities of Maine (7%) and New Hampshire (7%).
• Greatest Moment - Editor's pick: Behind star forward Taylor Coppenrath, Vermont beat Boston University by a point on March 15, 2003, to win the American East basketball tournament and earn an automatic berth in the NCAAs. Though the Catamounts were clobbered 80-51 by top-seeded Arizona in the first round, they and their fans were thrilled to have been to the Big Dance for the first time. (The Cats returned this year, losing 70-53 to Connecticut).
• Sportstown: South Burlington earns Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown honors for having Vermont's best community sports programs.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events and festivals in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy , MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Danny Ferrauiola, Edelman (212) 704-8299; Michelle Naughton, Edelman (212) 642-7796