Special Olympics and its 2009 World Winter Games
Named Network’s Platform Initiatives

NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 5, 2009)—VERSUS, the network that celebrates real competition, today announced the formation of the network’s corporate social responsibility platform called “VERSUS Champions.” The first initiative under the network’s new program is working with the Special Olympics to support and elevate its 2009 World Winter Games, which will be held February 7-13 in Boise, Idaho. VERSUS will launch its multi-platform campaign in early January.

“We’re extremely proud to announce our new corporate social responsibility platform and excited for the tremendous opportunity to begin this venture with the Special Olympics,” said Jamie Davis, President of VERSUS. “VERSUS champions integrity, courage, passion, teamwork and everything that goes into authentic competition and the Special Olympics cause matches our brand perfectly. We’re looking forward to supporting both the Special Olympics organization and the amazing athletes participating in the 2009 World Winter Games who are also VERSUS Champions.”

The Special Olympics provides year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Every four years, thousands of Special Olympics athletes from around the world come together to showcase their athletic skills and celebrate the true spirit of competition through winter sports. The ninth installment of the Special Olympics World Winter Games will host nearly 3,000 athletes from more than 100 countries in which the athletes will participate in several winter sports including: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowboarding, snowshoeing and speed skating.

VERSUS will show its support for the Special Olympics and the 2009 World Winter Games through a variety of on-air and online initiatives. Beginning in early January and through the start of the World Winter Games, VERSUS will air short vignettes featuring some of the amazing stories behind the athletes competing at the Games each week during the network’s NHL studio show Hockey Central. VERSUS will also air athlete profiles during the 2009 NHL All-Star Weekend January 24 and 25.

VERSUS will broadcast a number of public service announcements for the Special Olympics in order to help the organization gain awareness and recognition. Following the completion of the Games, the network will produce and air a one-hour highlight show which will re-cap the Games. VERSUS staff members will also participate as coaches and serve as mentors for Special Olympics athletes as well.

The network has designated a special section on its website, that can be found at
www.VERSUS.com/champions, which will be an integral component to the network’s efforts to support and promote the Special Olympics and its 2009 World Winter Games. On the site, viewers can find: daily highlight videos from the 2009 World Winter Games, public service announcements as well as long-form versions of the athlete profiles featured in Hockey Central, offering a closer look at the remarkable athletes competing in this year’s Games.