Sammy Sosa Joins Electronic Arts' Lineup for Triple Play 2000; EA SPORTS Signs 1998 National League MVP to be 'In the Game'

Business Wire, Jan 12, 1999

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BW SportsWire)--Jan. 12, 1999--Electronic Arts(tm) (Nasdaq:ERTS), the world's largest interactive entertainment software company, confirmed today that the company has reached an agreement with Sammy Sosa, the 1998 National League Most Valuable Player, to be EA SPORTS'(tm) spokesman for Triple Play 2000.

Sosa, fresh from the playoff run he made with the Cubs and part of the historical "Home Run Record" chase this past season, will appear on the cover of Triple Play 2000, the latest generation of its award-winning baseball series. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"I look forward to working with EA SPORTS on its baseball game," said Sammy Sosa. "I enjoy video games and am excited about adding my thoughts to the already amazing Triple Play Series." Sosa's image will appear on all Triple Play 2000 packaging and merchandising, and he will lend his baseball knowledge to the game developers for the ultimate in game realism and authenticity.

"Sammy Sosa represents all that is good, true and heroic in baseball today, and we are thrilled to have him as part of our Triple Play team," said Bob Aniello, marketing director of EA SPORTS. "With Triple Play 2000 on the Nintendo(R) 64 for the first time, as well as making advances on the PlayStation(R) and PC, our teaming with Sammy Sosa will promote EA SPORTS' long tradition of award-winning baseball."

Triple Play 2000, which is planned for release in time for the start of baseball season, captures the power, hitting and fun of Major League Baseball this past season. "We are looking to take that energy and expand on it in the game as players go head-to-head and get in on the action of baseball, and Sammy Sosa is an integral part of that energy and fun," said Aniello.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles include John Madden Football, FIFA Soccer, NHL(R) Hockey, NBA LIVE Basketball, Triple Play Baseball(tm) and NASCAR(R) 98.

Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of $909 million for fiscal 1998. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for personal computers and advanced entertainment systems. Electronic Arts markets its products under seven brand names: Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Maxis(tm), Origin Systems(tm), Bullfrog(tm) Productions, Ltd., Westwood Studios(tm) and Jane's(R) Combat Simulations. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.ea.com.

Electronic Arts, EA SPORTS, Maxis, Origin Systems, Bullfrog, Westwood Studios, John Madden Football, and Triple Play Baseball are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Jane's is a registered trademark of Jane's Information Group, Ltd. FIFA, NBA, NHL and NASCAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners and are used under license. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo 64 is a trademark of Nintendo of America, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.