Usher's New Look Foundation, NHL and Verizon Wireless Partner for 2008 NHL All-Star Benefit Performances

Usher's New Look Foundation, NHL and Verizon Wireless Partner for 2008 NHL All-Star Benefit Performances

Tickets For Concert Featuring Wyclef Jean On Sale Today

NEW YORK, Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hockey League (NHL) and Verizon Wireless have partnered with global superstar, singer, businessman and humanitarian Usher to host two benefit performances during the 2008 NHL All- Star Weekend in Atlanta. Proceeds from the events, which will feature performances by Grammy Award-winning musician Wyclef Jean and platinum recording artists Jonas Brothers, will benefit Usher's New Look Foundation.

Starting today, tickets are available for purchase to the Verizon Wireless / NHL All-Stars Present an Evening with Wyclef Jean to Benefit Usher's New Look Foundation at The Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta on Friday, Jan. 25. Wyclef Jean, a world-renowned artist, songwriter, producer, activist and Haitian Goodwill Ambassador, will headline the event.

Usher, a five-time Grammy-winner and native of Atlanta, will emcee both star-studded NHL All-Star events. Proceeds from the events will benefit Usher's New Look Foundation, a non-profit program established to expose young people to the business side of sports and entertainment.

Tickets to the Verizon Wireless / NHL All-Stars Present an Evening with Wyclef Jean to Benefit Usher's New Look Foundation are priced at $75 for the concert hall level of The Tabernacle and are available on-line at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or by calling 404-249-6400. VIP hospitality opportunities are available for purchase by calling Front Row Associates at 617-247-6111. Doors will open at 9 p.m.

Jean began his career as a member of The Fugees. The group's sophomore release, "The Score," sold more than 18 million copies worldwide and certified the trio as international superstars. Jean launched his solo career with 1997's multi-platinum hit album, "The Carnival Featuring the Refugee All- Stars." Jean has worked with diverse artists including Santana, Destiny's Child, Mick Jagger and Shakira. His latest album, "The Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant," was released on December 4.

The second All-Star event, Verizon Wireless / NHL Rockin' Skate 2008, Presented by Upper Deck, will feature a performance by Jonas Brothers. Further details and ticket information will be announced later this week.

The NHL's goal is to raise more than $200,000 for the Foundation, which has been a very personal project for the entertainer.

The 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend in Atlanta will feature live national broadcasts of the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills event on Saturday, Jan. 26 and the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, Jan. 27 on VERSUS in the United States and CBC and RDS in Canada. NASN and other international broadcasters will provide live coverage of both the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills event and the NHL All-Star Game to more than 115 countries and territories in Europe. NHL RADIO on Westwood One will provide exclusive national radio coverage which can be heard on stations around the United States and Canada as well as on XM Satellite Radio's NHL Home Ice and NHL.com.

NHL is a registered trademark and the NHL Shield and NHL All Star Game logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:
Website:

http://www.NHL.com

http://www.ticketmaster.com

Source: The National Hockey League

CONTACT: Jackie Krawczyk of GCI group, +1-404-260-3515; or Chris
Chambers of The Chamber Group, +1-646-792-2978, both for The National Hockey
League; or Nirva Milord of NHL, +1-212-789-2123

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