Setanta Sports Signs on as Sponsor of the US Men's National Rugby Team - US Eagles, and as Official Presenting Partner of USA Rugby

Setanta Sports Signs on as Sponsor of the US Men's National Rugby Team - US Eagles, and as Official Presenting Partner of USA Rugby

New Partnership Set to Build on Rugby's Booming Popularity in the U.S. as Fans Tune in to Setanta Sports for the Best International Programming, Including the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup

BOULDER, Colo., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Setanta Sports, the premium international sports broadcaster, announced today it has become an official sponsor of the US Men's National Rugby Team -- US Eagles, and an official presenting sponsor of USA Rugby. The comprehensive partnership includes an array of innovative programs to amplify the excitement of rugby in the US.

"We're excited to announce this unique partnership with Setanta Sports. This dynamic alliance will stimulate the unrivalled free flowing contact game of rugby to an expanded sports fan base. Setanta is the perfect partner because their passion for the sport mirrors our own. Participation in and viewership of rugby has climbed at an accelerating rate in the U.S. in recent years, and aligning with Setanta is a fantastic foundation to build new interest in rugby at all age levels of the game, where participants seek to benefit from the team ethos and athleticism at the heart of the sport of rugby. We're also pleased to be able to pass along a terrific incentive to existing and future members through discounted subscriptions for Setanta's offerings, which includes broadband, commercial and home broadcast channels," USA Rugby's CEO Nigel Melville said.

"This partnership with Setanta is very exciting for players at every level of the sport. Television time is essential if we want the sport of rugby to grow. It will draw in more fans of the game and allow us to showcase the sport as it really should be. Once they see the game of rugby, there is no doubt that the majority of the American public will fall in love with it," Men's National Rugby Team member Todd Clever said.

Together through this new pact, Setanta and USA Rugby -- the national rugby governing body and representative of the international rugby community in the US, will build on the tremendous interest in rugby union matches, which is already highly popular worldwide and attracting increased attention across the nation. Rugby in the US, is currently experiencing significant growth across its youth, high school and college rugby programs creating a new generation of rugby players which will take US Rugby closer to the goal of reaching a true world rugby power.

Setanta provides U.S. sports fans with the most comprehensive broadcasts of top tier international rugby programming, and to build upon the broadcast portfolio, cross promotions with USA Rugby through multi-media avenues and associated grassroots events fulfils the objective of popularizing rugby in the American sports arena.

"USA Rugby is the premier rugby organization with more than 80,000+ active playing members. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to further popularize rugby alongside USA Rugby. Rugby is currently one of the most widely-followed sports globally, and through our partnered programs we will grab the attention of both participants and fans alike. We are already proud to bring U.S. rugby fans the IRB Rugby World Cup, RBS Six Nations rugby, Southern Hemisphere Super 14s, Tri Nations and much more. We're now looking forward to bringing up-to-the-minute live coverage of the Eagle's quest to win the 2007 IRB Rugby World Cup to US fans," claimed Roger Hall, CEO of Setanta Sports North America.

About Setanta Sports North America (http://www.setanta.com/)

Setanta Sports North America operates the only dedicated International sports and rugby channel in North America. In 2006, the 24-hour, digital pay TV network aired more than 1,000 live events, including European and International soccer, world-class rugby and other sports programming designed to meet the growing demands of international sports fans living in North America. Setanta Sports North America is owned by Dublin-based Setanta Sports worldwide, a leading, international pay television broadcaster and the number two sports broadcaster in the United Kingdom, providing top sports leagues and events to more than 100 million digital television homes globally and to commercial venues in six countries. In North America, Setanta Sports is currently available to subscribers via DIRECTV, GlobeCast World, and ITVN as well in commercial settings such as sports bars and pubs nationwide.

About USA Rugby (http://www.usarugby.org/)

USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby union and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club athletic programs, and ultimately, the nine national teams representing the United States in international competition.

Source: Setanta Sports North America

CONTACT: Jessica Adams, +1-212-850-5684, for Setanta Sports North
America

Web site:

http://www.setanta.com/
http://www.usarugby.org/

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