Boost Mobile Signs Multi-Year Title Sponsorship With Major League Gaming

IRVINE, Calif. and NEW YORK CITY, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Major League Gaming (MLG) 2006 season kicks off, Boost Mobile(R), a leading youth lifestyle brand, and MLG today announced Boost Mobile as the title sponsor for 2006 and 2007 pro circuits, which will now be named "The Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit."

As the sole mobile partner of the 2006 and 2007 MLG Pro Circuit, Boost Mobile will provide exclusive access to original MLG content to its more than 2.6 million customers. MLG content will include pro player profiles, video diaries and match play highlights from the MLG Tour via their Boost phones. In addition, MLG pros will use the Boost(TM) phones equipped with Boost(TM) walkie-talkie service to instantly communicate with their teammates during the events.

"Gaming is a favorite pastime of our customers and we're excited to provide them with VIP access to exclusive content from the only professional video gaming league in America," said Jeff Werderman, senior director of brand marketing, Boost Mobile. "We are happy to partner with MLG to enable our subscribers to participate in this explosive new sports entertainment phenomenon directly on their Boost phone."

By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport and packaging the competition for the mass market, MLG provides players, game publishers and media partners a unique connection with the 168 million Americans playing video games today.

"Boost has rapidly developed a premier brand that has a strong pipeline for content and media into the youth market," said Mike Sepso, co-founder and CEO of MLG. "We're excited about our multifaceted partnership and look forward to bringing the latest action from the MLG circuit directly to our fans-no matter where they are."

The Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit will hold pro competitions in 7 cities in 2006: Secaucus (The Meadowlands), Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago (Playoffs) and Las Vegas (National Championship). The MLG Pro Invasion Bus Tour will kick off in the summer, with four of MLG's pro gamers traveling the country to find the next generation of pro gamers.

The first event of the "Boost Mobile Major League Gaming Pro Circuit presented by Scion" is this Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, NJ. The tournament kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, with the championships being held on Sunday (doors open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday). Attendance is free and on a first come, first serve basis. Door prizes will be given out daily, including a fully loaded Xbox 360. Early registration at mlgpro.com will help ensure a reserved seat.

For media who would like to attend the MLG Pro Circuit Tournament, please contact mlg@sutherlandgold.com.

About Boost Mobile

Based in Irvine, California, Boost Mobile, LLC, a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel Corporation, , is a lifestyle-based telecommunications brand focused on offering premium Pay-As-You-Go wireless phones and services to the youth market. Boost is among the fastest growing wireless services in the U.S. and now has more than 2.6 million customers -- the majority of which are under the age of 25. Boost-branded wireless phones with its exclusive Boost(TM) Walkie-Talkie service and Re-Boost(R) Cards are available nationwide at locations where youth prefer to shop, including national retailers and convenience stores, and merchants that focus on fashion, music, and action sports-related activities. Experience Boost on the Web at http://www.boostmobile.com/.

About MLG (Major League Gaming)

MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG's Pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More information can be found at http://www.mlgpro.com/. More information can be found at http://www.mlgpro.com/.

MLG 2006 pro tour dates: New York (April 21-23); Dallas (May); Atlanta (June); Los Angeles (July), Philadelphia (August); Playoffs-Chicago (October); National Championship-Las Vegas (November).

CONTACT: MLG Amy Janzen, SutherlandGold +1-917-209-6819 amy@sutherlandgold.com Boost Mobile Carrie Davis, Hill & Knowlton +1-310-633-9435 Carrie.davis@hillandknowlton.com