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EA Secures Exclusive Rights to NASCAR Game Development Through 2009

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--Sept. 26, 2003--Electronic Arts today announced an exclusive relationship with NASCAR(R) for worldwide rights to develop, publish and distribute NASCAR-branded interactive racing games through 2009. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

This agreement allows EA to create interactive games on a number of gaming platforms, including consoles and PCs, using NASCAR properties. EA's NASCAR Thunder 2004 video game features over 65 drivers including Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Jeff Gordon, as well as 23 official tracks and 175 cars of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

"Enduring relationships with standout sports organizations like NASCAR allow EA to deliver the authenticity, simulation, and competition that fans of the EA SPORTS brand have come to expect," said Chip Lange, vice president of marketing for EA SPORTS. "Partnering with NASCAR the past seven years has been a great experience and we're excited about continuing this relationship and extending the reach of our NASCAR Thunder franchise to both NASCAR and video game fans."

"While it is rare for NASCAR to enter into an exclusive licensing arrangement, Electronic Arts has truly stood out in the longstanding efforts to support the entire NASCAR industry," said Blake Davidson, managing director, licensed products for NASCAR. "Additionally, EA is a sophisticated marketer, and their creative advertising and promotional efforts will help NASCAR continue to attract young fans, which is an important part of our overall growth strategy."

NASCAR Thunder 2004 shipped last week for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PlayStation(R) console, the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft, and PC CD-ROM. NASCAR Thunder 2004 is developed by EA Tiburon. Packaging and merchandising will feature the reigning NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion, Tony Stewart.

EA is the sponsor of the EA SPORTS 500 race, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series race at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway(R), Sept. 28, 2003. Tickets are still available for the race weekend at 1-800-PITSHOP or 256-362-RACE or visit the track's official website at talladegasuperspeedway.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2003. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under three brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA GAMES(TM), and EA SPORTS BIG(TM). EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

ABOUT NASCAR(R) Licensing

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR, is the sanctioning body for one of America's premier sports. With 75 million fans spread throughout the U.S. and ranking second among sports on television and third in licensed product sales, NASCAR has catapulted into the American mainstream. The Passion and brand loyalty of NASCAR fans have attracted many of the best known brands in America: more Fortune 500 companies are involved in NASCAR than any other sport. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles, NASCAR sanctions 1,800 races at 120 tracks in 38 states.

Electronic Arts, EA, EA SPORTS, EA GAMES and EA SPORTS BIG are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. NASCAR is a registered trademark and NASCAR Thunder is a trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. "Tony Stewart(R)" licensed under authority of Joe Gibbs Racing, Huntersville, N.C. Talladega Superspeedway(R). PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and Xbox are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. All other car, team, track names, trademarks, and other intellectual property are used under license and are the property of their respective owners.