Arena Football Is 'Built Ford Tough' with New Ford Truck Partnership

    CHICAGO, Jan. 25 The Arena Football League (AFL) and
arenafootball2 (af2) have announced a partnership with Ford Truck to become
the "official and exclusive automotive and truck partner" of the two leagues
through the 2002 season, AFL Commissioner David Baker and af2 executive
director Mary Ellen Garling jointly announced.
    "This Ford partnership represents the cornerstone of our sponsorship
efforts going forward as the AFL can deliver to blue chip partners, such as
Ford, a national marketing umbrella and activate throughout our 47 AFL and af2
markets in North America," said President of AFL Properties Glenn J. Horine.
    The partnership agreement is two-tiered. On a national level, Ford Truck
and the AFL/af2 are in development in creating unique opportunities for both
players and fans throughout the entire 2001 and 2002 seasons. On a local
level, Ford regions and dealers will be involved in not only helping to
promote the partnership, but in creating exclusive promotional packages for
local teams and fans as well.
    "The AFL represents the true meaning of toughness," said Al Giombetti,
truck and SUV group marketing manager for the Ford Division of Ford Motor
Company. "The players, the fans, the entire concept of the AFL and af2 leagues
personify our entire concept of what 'Build Ford Tough' really means."
    The AFL will kick off its 15th season in April 2001, with a record high of
19 teams, including new markets Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Long Island,
NY, and Toronto, Ontario, the AFL's first Canadian team. Last year, twice as
many fans watched games than ever before, with the AFL exceeding one million
fans for a fifth straight season, and arenafootball2 surpassing 800,000 fans
in its inaugural season.
    The NFL holds an exclusive option to acquire an equity interest of 49.9
percent in the AFL, subject to the approval of NFL owners. Currently, four NFL
owners, including the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones, Washington Redskins' Daniel
Snyder, New Orleans Saints' Tom Benson, and Detroit Lions' William Ford Jr.
(with partner, Palace Sports & Entertainment) have been approved for teams.
    Ford Division is the largest automotive marketing sales division in the
world and has been the top-selling U.S. car and truck brand for the past 14
years. Ford brand is a division of Ford Motor Company, the world's second-
largest auto company, headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., and selling vehicles
in more than 200 markets. Ford Motor Company employs nearly 400,000 people
worldwide. In calendar year 2000, Ford Division sold a record 3.47 million
vehicles.  Ford Division is home to 13 product lines, including the Ford F-
Series pickup, the No. 1-selling vehicle in the world, and Ford Explorer, the
top-selling sport utility vehicle.  One of the goals of Ford's community
involvement is to lead in corporate citizenship in the communities in which it
does business.