Fergie, Kelly Clarkson & Maroon 5 Among More than a Dozen Artists to 'Play the Field' at Gridiron Bash(TM)

Fergie, Kelly Clarkson & Maroon 5 Among More than a Dozen Artists to 'Play the Field' at Gridiron Bash(TM)

Event to Crown Best College Football Fans and Raise $12 Million+ for Universities

NEW YORK, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- MSL Sports and Entertainment today announced that simultaneous live performances by Fergie, Kelly Clarkson, ZZ Top, Maroon 5, Dwight Yoakam and a slate of other renowned artists will highlight the agenda at about 20 Division I universities nationwide on April 18 for the inaugural Gridiron Bash(TM), timed for the evening before Spring Games. Gridiron Bash(TM), the Ultimate Fan Competition(TM), will be the largest single-day sports and entertainment event ever to take place on college campuses.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080117/NYTH119 )

Grammy(R) and VMA winner Fergie of Hip-Hop group The Black Eyed Peas (Fergie is also a Grammy nominee this year); Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends ZZ Top; Grammy, Billboard and MTV award winning rock band, Maroon 5 (two time Grammy nominee this year); two time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson, and multiple Grammy Award winner and entertainer Dwight Yoakam will be live in concert at soon-to-be announced universities.

Tickets will be available through university box offices and can also be purchased through www.gridironbash.com.

On-sale dates for schools, including Texas A&M, Kansas State, University of Tennessee, University of Colorado, Army and Rutgers will be announced shortly.

"We're very excited by the caliber of talent this event is attracting," says Gary Cioffi, Chief Executive Officer of MSL, the creator and producer of Gridiron Bash(TM). "In many cases, this marks the first time that top artists will be 'playing the field' at these campuses, as universities consider their football fields a kind of sacred ground, and, prior to Gridiron Bash, have prohibited even the most sought-after acts from performing on them."

MSL Sports and Entertainment is in final discussions with Good Charlotte, OAR, Counting Crows, Fall Out Boy, Taylor Swift, and Montgomery Gentry. Other artists including, Hank Williams Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Journey, Steve Miller Band, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down and Alan Jackson also are being pursued. On the university side, MSL is finalizing partnerships with schools, including Penn State, University of Iowa, Arizona State, West Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina, Washington, Kentucky, University of Texas at El Paso, BYU, Auburn, Alabama and Boston College.

In addition to the live concert, Gridiron Bash(TM) will include at each stadium a giant pre-concert Pep Rally, introduction of the following year's team roster, Head Coach Chat, autograph sessions with school football legends, and The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series(TM) fan component, which gives fans the chance to earn money for their schools. Winning schools will be determined by combining total attendance at Gridiron Bash(TM) with the number of fans who text/call in to vote for their school. The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series(TM) winning university will receive a $1 million contribution to their General Scholarship Fund, with 2nd and 3rd place schools receiving $500,000 and $250,000 respectively, for a total of $1.75 million in scholarship prizes.

"Many people don't realize that annual Spring Games, which feature scrimmages showcasing the next year's team, typically attract crowds of 50,000 + at major universities," says Cioffi. "Now, with the fun Gridiron Bash activities added to the mix, college football fans will be in their glory."

With gate and merchandise revenue, parking, food and beverage sales, Gridiron Bash(TM) is anticipated to generate more than $12 million in combined revenue for the participating universities. Artists are selected based on school preferences and artist ties to a given area.

About MSL Sports and Entertainment

Manhattan-based MSL (www.mslsportsent.com) builds and develops cutting- edge entertainment properties with the purpose of connecting consumers, brands and media. In addition to rolling out trend-setting new properties -- such as the Gridiron Bash(TM) at Division I schools and the East Meets West All- American Game -- MSL's core services include branding, TV production (with assets including, Inside the Big East, numerous Division I Coaches Shows and other television properties), sponsorship sales, public relations, celebrity procurement and every aspect of event management. MSL also runs a nationally recognized scouting and recruiting service that works with universities, athletes and media organizations.

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080117/NYTH119
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: MSL Sports and Entertainment

CONTACT: Debbie Brandwein of MSL, +1-914-374-5188, cell,
dbrandwein@mslsportsent.com

Web site:

http://www.mslsportsent.com/
http://www.gridironbash.com/

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