McDonald's New York Region to Host 25th Anniversary McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game

Business Wire, March 21, 2001

Business Editors

OAK BROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2001

Silver Anniversary Event to be Played at Madison Square Garden;

Company Introduces All American Girls Game

McDonald's Corp. announced today that the New York Tri-State McDonald's Owner/Operators will host the 25th anniversary McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game to be played at Madison Square Garden in the spring of 2002. The company also announced that it will introduce a girls All American High School Basketball Game to take place on the same day in the same venue.

Since its inception in 1977, the McDonald's All American Game has annually showcased the top 24 boys high school basketball players while raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities and providing basketball fans with a glimpse of college and NBA superstars of tomorrow. After 24 memorable years of boys action, McDonald's is adding a girls All American Game to feature the premiere girls high school basketball players.

"To recognize the achievements in women's sports, we are thrilled to introduce our first-ever girls high school basketball game -- especially on the 25th anniversary of the boys McDonald's All American Game," said Alan Feldman, president, McDonald's USA. "In a place where many basketball legends have been made, New York City and Madison Square Garden provide the perfect city and venue for these McDonald's basketball milestones."

Both games will take place the same night during Spring 2002 at Madison Square Garden, home of the NBA New York Knicks and the WNBA New York Liberty.

"On behalf of the more than 600 McDonald's restaurants in the New York Tri-State area, we are extremely proud to host this landmark event," said Pete Samaha, McDonald's restaurant owner and chairman of the 2002 McDonald's All American Game. "The local McDonald's owners have a long history of recognizing community leaders and the McDonald's All American Game provides the perfect platform to honor these fine young men and women."

"The McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game is a marquee event and we're proud to showcase it in the basketball capitol of the world," said Dave Checketts, president and chief executive officer of Madison Square Garden.

Approximately 1,600 top high school boys basketball players from across the country will be nominated to the McDonald's All American Team in January 2002. A selection committee, chaired by Morgan Wootten, head coach of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Md., and an advisory committee led by legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, selects the final team members in February. Selected players will join a list of alumni that includes current and former NBA superstars such as Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Elton Brand and Grant Hill. The nomination and selection process for the McDonald's Girls Game is expected to be similar to those for the Boys Game. Details on committee chairs will be announced soon.

Throughout its 24-year history, the game has fulfilled its primary purpose as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R), as well as being a showcase for young basketball players. Proceeds from the 2002 McDonald's All American Games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of New York City. Previous beneficiaries of McDonald's All American Games include Sickle Cell Anemia Research, the United Negro College Fund and many other local children's charities. More than $2 million has been raised since the game was first played.

The 2001 Game will be played March 28 at Duke University's Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, and broadcast live on ESPN at 9 p.m. (EST). Proceeds from this game will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina.

For more information on the McDonald's All American Game, please visit www.mcdonalds.com and www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com.

Ronald McDonald House Charities(R), a non-profit, 501(c)3, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children through its network of local charities currently serving in 32 countries. The charity makes grants to not for-profit organizations and provides support to Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles worldwide. To date, Ronald McDonald House Charities' national body and global network of local charities has awarded nearly $250 million to children's programs worldwide.

There are more than 600 McDonald's restaurants owned by 200 franchisees located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area. Visit www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com for more information on other McDonald's New York Tri-State programs.

McDonald's(R) is the world's leading global foodservice retailer, with more than 28,000 restaurants serving more than 45 million people each day in 120 countries. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's worldwide restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.

(c) 2001 McDonald's Corporation