ESPN Announces Lexus as Presenting Sponsor for ESPN Golf Schools

ESPN Golf Schools Presented by Lexus to Feature New Instructors for 2004

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1 -- ESPN and Lexus have announced that Lexus is the presenting sponsor for ESPN Golf Schools, now branded ESPN Golf Schools Presented by Lexus. Launched in January 2003, ESPN Golf Schools are available as one-day courses in more than 45 cities and three-day courses in Las Vegas, Boca Raton, Fla., and Scottsdale, Ariz. The three-day program was recently named one of Golf Magazine's Top 25 Golf Schools.

"The first year of ESPN Golf Schools has been a great success, and we very much look forward to having Lexus as an integral part of the success of year two," said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Enterprises.

"Partnering with ESPN for these schools is an exciting opportunity that allows us to reach a targeted audience of discerning golf enthusiasts," said Mike Wells, vice president of marketing for Lexus. "These programs make it possible for golfers to improve their game while giving them the opportunity to connect with Lexus right alongside the sport that is likely one of their greatest passions."

As presenting sponsor, Lexus will have the opportunity to develop dealer incentives, purchase incentives and owner loyalty offerings, as well as present special offers and gifts to all participants. As another benefit of the sponsorship, Lexus will display a range of its models at various school locations.

In addition, Lexus-sponsored "Tip of the Day" vignettes, featuring golf school instructors, will run during golf programming on ESPN and ABC. Lexus will also be a featured advertiser for ESPN Motion on ESPN.com.

Beginning in January 2004, ESPN Golf School Presented by Lexus will feature a group of four new instructors -- Hank Haney (Ranked #5 by Golf Digest's Top Teachers in America; 1993 National PGA Teacher of the Year); Mike McGetrick (Ranked #8 by Golf Digest; owner of McGetrick Academy, a Golf Magazine Top 25 Golf School); Jackie Gallager-Smith (10-year LPGA Tour player); and Rick Jensen, PhD (Director of Sports Psychology at the Academy of Golf at PGA National Resort and Spa).

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 40 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes (to be launched around the new year), ESPN Now, ESPN Today), ESPN HD (a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN Broadband, ESPN Wireless, ESPN Video-on-Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About Lexus

Lexus has become synonymous with luxury since its introduction in 1989. By offering some of the finest quality luxury vehicles and providing benchmark customer service, Lexus has become the top-selling luxury nameplate in the United States for three years in a row. Lexus and its 200 dealers have repeatedly received high honors for both the products they sell and the customer service they provide as rated by the independent research firm of J.D. Power and Associates.