TRAC Merchandise Program Revs Up
TRAC Merchandise Program Revs Up
TRAC Enters Into Agreement With Sports Designs, Inc. to Distribute Licensed Merchandise Through Web, Catalog and Events CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 9 Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Team Sports Entertainment, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: TSPT), announced today that it has signed an agreement with NASCAR merchandise leader, Sports Design, Inc. to design, develop and administer a national merchandise licensing program for its new stock car racing series set to begin in 2003. The program will feature a limited line of officially-licensed merchandise to be available over the internet at http://www.traczone.com, via direct mail through Sports Design's catalog, through participating retail outlets and at a multitude of motorsports events where Sports Design sells other licensed motorsports products. "We are very excited to have Hank Jones and Sports Design, Inc. as a key strategic asset as we develop the launch of TRAC in 2003. Their proven record in understanding what consumers want and how to deliver it will be a crucial part of our success in the years to come," Jon Pritchett/COO of Team Sports Entertainment. Sports Design, Inc. is one of the country's largest suppliers of racing related wearables and merchandise in the industry. Hank Jones, its founder and president, is considered one of the pioneers in NASCAR souvenir sales. He sold his former company, Sports Image, Inc. to Dale Earnhardt in 1994 after unprecedented sales levels and started Sports Design, Inc. in 1995. His current and former client list includes: Bobby Allison, Rusty Wallace, Michael Waltrip, Miller Brewing, GM Goodwrench, Texaco, Pennzoil, M&M Mars, Valvoline, Conseco, Kellogg's, Roush Racing, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Ernie Irvan, Jeff Burton and Ken Schrader. Sports Design is an integrated design, sales and marketing company with specialization in NASCAR trackside, motorsports specialty stores, wholesale programs, mass merchandising, corporate programs and individually tailored programs for corporate sponsors and musical entertainers. "We are extremely proud to have been chosen by TRAC to become an official supplier of wearables, souvenirs and merchandise. We believe very strongly in the TRAC people and think they are going to have a huge impact on the motorsports industry through their team racing concept. I hope we can be an integral part of their success in 2003 and for many years to come," remarked Hank Jones, President, Sports Designs, Inc. About TSPT TSPT is a sports and entertainment marketing and management company dedicated to developing undervalued sports and entertainment properties and discovering niche opportunities to serve underdeveloped market segments. Its first venture is TRAC, Team Racing Auto Circuit, L.L.C., a single entity sports league developed as a new category in motorsports. Tapping into the affinity that sports fans and civic-minded residents have for their city, state or region, TRAC will focus on growing the existing base of stock car fans through team-based marketing. The league will take the best sports business practices from traditional "stick and ball" sports and leagues and combine those with the best attributes from stock car racing (i.e., pageantry, speed and competitive racing). The major benefactors from such a merger will be: motorsports venues, television networks, drivers and personnel, corporate marketers, domestic and import auto manufacturers and U.S. communities and fans. TRAC will provide this content to its various distribution partners through a league structure that will utilize revenue sharing, centralized purchasing, and brand management to build asset value in local/regional teams. With specific focus on parity, safety and cost containment; TRAC plans to build a stock car league with innovative competition standards that will put the competitive focus on drivers, crews and race day strategy. To learn more about Team Sports Entertainment or TRAC, visit http://www.teamsportsentertainment.com or http://www.traczone.com. Safe Harbor Act Disclaimer: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 that are based upon current expectations or beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions about future events. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations and assumptions will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as these statements are subject to numerous factors and uncertainties, including without limitation, the independent authority of the special committee to act on the matters discussed, the successful negotiation of the potential acquisition and disposal of transactions described above, successful implementation of the company's business strategy and competition, any of which may cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. In addition, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed in the Company's most recent Form 10-QSB and Form 10-KSB filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.