INDYCAR SERIES EXTENDS DEAL WITH ESPN INTERNATIONAL FOR WORLDWIDE TELEVISION RIGHTS

 INDIANAPOLIS, Tuesday 9, 2008 – The IndyCar Series today announced an extension of its long-time association with ESPN International for worldwide (excluding the United States and Brazil) distribution of IndyCar Series broadcast rights until 2010, with a further two-year option for both parties.

The multi-year extension agreement gives ESPN International the exclusive right to distribute live, delayed and highlight programs via all forms of broadcast media, broadband, webcast and mobile for all IndyCar Series events, including the Indianapolis 500, Indy 500 support programming and Firestone Indy Lights. 

“We are very pleased to extend our long-term partnership with ESPN International,” said Charlie Morgan, president and chief operating officer for IMS Productions. “The broad reach of ESPN International is a real benefit to our drivers, teams, sponsors and not least of all, the worldwide open-wheel racing fan.”

Earlier this year, the IndyCar Series announced its domestic television package including a renewal of its long-time partnership with ABC for the Indianapolis 500 and four other races and a new partnership with VERSUS for a minimum of 12 events annually.

"We are delighted to be able to extend our deal with IndyCar," said Tim Bunnell, SVP Programming & Marketing,  ESPN International. "Motorsports continue to be hugely popular with sports fans around the world. It therefore makes sense that IndyCar is part of our programming strategy for our channels and part of our global program distribution strategy."

The IndyCar Series continues its long-term partnership with BAND TV for Brazilian television rights.

“It’s only natural that we have a broad-based international television distribution package with ESPN International given the diverse driver line-up and schedule offered by the IndyCar Series,” said Terry Angstadt, president, commercial division for the Indy Racing League, the sanctioning body for the IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights. “The IndyCar Series has a broad and loyal global television audience.”

About the IndyCar Series

The IndyCar Series is the premier open-wheel series in the United States, competing on a challenging combination of superspeedways, short ovals, scenic road courses and temporary street circuits. In 2009, the IndyCar Series will conduct 18 events, including 15 in the U.S., two in Canada and one in Japan. A leader in motorsports technology, the IndyCar Series is the first racing series to power its Honda engines on 100 percent fuel-grade ethanol, a renewable and environmentally friendly fuel. The IndyCar Series continues to the be the fastest, most competitive and innovative racing series, attracting a diverse lineup of drivers with participants from the United States, Japan, Brazil, England, France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. The stars of the IndyCar Series include 2008

Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon, 2004 IndyCar Series champion Tony Kanaan, two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves, 2005 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Danica Patrick and 2006 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Marco Andretti. Other standouts include Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice, Graham Rahal, Will Power and Justin Wilson. For more information on the IndyCar Series, please visit www.indycar.com.

About ESPN

Based in Bristol, Conn., ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of more than 50 multimedia sports assets. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. ESPN International has grown to include ownership — in whole or in part — of more than 45 television networks outside of the United States, as well as a variety of brand extension businesses, which allow ESPN to reach fans in 201 countries and territories.