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SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FEATURES STATE OF OHIO

IN AUGUST 4^TH ISSUE AS PART OF

50^TH ANNIVERSARY STATE-SPECIFIC WEEKLY SECTION

Essayist: Art Modell Selected As Enemy of the State by Ohioans

New York, NY, July 30, 2003 — This week’s Sports Illustrated features sports in the state of Ohio, as a part of the 50 state-specific sections that are being published in the magazinee in conjunction with SI’s yearlong 50^th anniversary celebration.

Identifying the All-American Soap Box Derby as an event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by Sports Illustrated senior writer Richard Hoffer who grew up in Ohio, and a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped Ohio’s sports landscape. As with the OH section, SI is featuring one of the 50 United States each week for 50 weeks and celebrating a sport or sporting event unique to that state; as well as an accompanying essay by a well-known native or SI writer from the state and a plethora of sports information unique to that state.

The Ohio section is featured in the August 4^th issue of Sports Illustrated that will begin hitting newsstands today Wednesday, July 30, 2003. Newsstand copies in Ohio feature a cover-flap identifying the special Ohio section.

Highlights from the special section include:

"It’s All Downhill," in which SI’s Franz Lidz chronicles the history of the Soap Box Derby in Akron.

"Football, Ohio Style," in which SI scribe and Ohio native Richard Hoffer explains on how he and his state saw themselves in stoic, grind-it-out teams.

The Poll : Ohioans weigh in on sports in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:

Favorite major league baseball team………………Cleveland Indians (40%)

Favorite NFL team………………………………….Cleveland Browns (37%)

Favorite college team………………………………....Ohio State football (20%)

State’s biggest rivalry……………………………….Ohio State-Michigan (37%)

*Complete poll results and essay by Franz Lidz to follow.

Enemy of the State : Former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell received 52% of this vote in the Harris Interactive poll soundly beating Mike Brown (6%) and Bo Schembechler (5%) for Ohio’s biggest sports villain title. Ohio’s most hated team? University of Michigan (49%).

Greatest Moment — Editor’s pick : In 2003, the Ohio State Buckeyes football team beat the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl capping a 14-0 season and capturing the national championship.

SI’s 50^th 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 begins this month 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 National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated’s 50^th Anniversary Tour that is traveling to unique sports events 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; Starter and Best Buy are program sponsors.

Contacts: Nicole Bradley (212) 704-8153, Edelman

Michele Naughton (212) 642-7796, Edelman


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