If You Missed The Hottest Swimsuit Pageant on the Planet, There's Still a Chance To See What Everyone's Talking About

If You Missed The Hottest Swimsuit Pageant on the Planet, There's Still a Chance To See What Everyone's Talking About

'The Best Damn Swimsuit Pageant Period' Will be Broadcast August 22 & September 5 Only on Fox Sports Network 9pm, 10:30pm, 11:30pm

ATLANTA, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- One hundred nine Hooters Girls from the famed Hooters Restaurants competed in the 9th Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, and the cast of The Best Damn Sports Show Period were on hand to capture all the action on stage and behind the scenes.

The finalists were selected from the over 15,000 Hooters Girls worldwide who presently work in the chain's 400 restaurants. Hooters Restaurants are well established eateries in 46 states and 16 countries. "Name me one other pageant that can introduce Ms. Zagreb to Ms. Atlanta and have them have the Hooters experience in common," quipped Hooters of America Vice President Mike McNeil.

The Pageant took place in front of a sold-out live audience at the Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater and Convention Center. It was emceed by Jim Gibson. Chris Rose, Lisa Dergan and Leeann Tweeden of the Best Damn Sports Show Period topped a panel of judges that also included NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; NBA player and Best Damn Sports Show Period co-host John Salley; Major League Baseball player and Best Damn Sports Show Period co-host Rob Dibble; former NFL Quarterback and Best Damn Sports Show Period co-host Rodney Peete; Nick Valvano, CEO of the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and television personality and Hooters spokesperson Brooke Burke. McNeil explained that judges "look for beauty, stage presence and what they believe would be the best Hooters Girl that would represent Hooters and be a spokesperson for that year."

In a nod to what pageant connoisseurs have come to expect, there will be a Ms. Congeniality award voted by the pageant staff, a Miss Photogenic winner voted by celebrity photographer Todd Ferren, and a Miss International winner voted by the pageant staff to represent Hooters vast expansion into many new countries. Now in its 9th year, the pageant showcases the 109 semi-finalists in evening gowns and swimsuits, and as the evening unfolds, the judges turn in their verdicts. The winning contestant takes home a check for $30,000, a trip for two to the Pepsi Smash Live Concert in Las Vegas, a Kawasaki Jet ski, a Plasma TV from LG Electronics and modeling contracts worth thousands more. The 1st runner up receives $12,000, and the remaining contestants will divide an additional $70,000 in cash and prizes.

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchiser and operator of over 400 Hooters restaurants in 46 states and 16 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters signature chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.

Source: Hooters of America, Inc.

CONTACT: Gail Parenteau, +1-212-532-3934, or Pageantmedia@hooters.com ,
or Alexis Aleshire, +1-770-951-2040, or Aaleshire@hooters.com, both of
Hooters of America, Inc.

Web site: http://www.hooters.com/

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