Texas Sports Hall of Fame Taps Prova Group as Official Authenticator

Business Wire,  May 13, 2008  

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Prova to Use RFID-based Technology to Authenticate, Certify and Register Autographs and Other Sports Memorabilia at Hall of Fame Events

IRVING, Texas -- The Texas Sports Hall of Fame has signed a three-year agreement with Prova Group, Inc., and has designated the company its "Official Authenticator."

Under the agreement, Prova will provide the Texas Sports Hall of Fame with a patent-pending, secure digital system that helps mitigate fraud and ensures authenticity of autographs, limited editions and other sports memorabilia.

Prova began providing these services at the Hall of Fame's 2008 Induction Ceremony on March 11, authenticating autographs on limited-edition prints by artist Robert Hurst for its honorees. Prova also will provide authenticity for other Hall of Fame signing events throughout the year.

"With counterfeiting in the sports memorabilia industry, we were compelled to find an authenticator with the most secure system available," said Steve Fallon, executive director of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. "Prova's digital technology-based system offers unmatched efficiency and security that reaches beyond traditional paper certificates that are offered in the market today."

When a fan or collector purchases a high-end print through the Hall of Fame's limited edition program with an athlete autograph on it, a Prova Tag[TM] will be affixed to that collectible. Prova's radio frequency identification (RFID) tag creates a unique "fingerprint" of data on the Tag itself, which is also linked to a record in Prova's secure registry. The Prova Tag can later be used to easily verify the item's authenticity by comparing the tag data with Prova's online database.

"Our technology provides a simple and secure authentication method that gives collectors, fans and athletes the peace of mind that their sports memorabilia and autographs are genuine and cannot be manipulated, mimicked or discredited," said Charlie Humphreyson, chief executive officer at Prova. "As long as an item carries a Prova Tag, they can be assured of the authentication of their signed jersey, limited edition or other collectible."

About Prova Group, Inc.

Prova Group is an Irving, Texas-based company applying innovative uses of digital technology for the authentication, certification and registration of a wide range of collectibles, including sports memorabilia, entertainment collections, fine art and antiquities. For more information, please visit www.provagroup.com.

About The Texas Sports Hall of Fame

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1951 by the Texas Sports Writers Association, making Texas the first state in the United States to create an institution that celebrates the rich history of all its sports athletes. Originally located in Grand Prairie, Texas, the Hall of Fame relocated to Waco, Texas in 1991. Each year, Hall of Fame members nominate and vote in new inductees, culminating in an induction gala each winter. For more information visit: www.tshof.org.

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