PR: NYC to Host 79th MLB All-Star

(8/6)

Contacts: Kimberly Spell, NYC & Company, 212/484-1270Patrick Muncie, NYC & Company, 212/484-1270

NEW YORK CITY NAMED AS HOST CITY FOR 79th MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ALL-STAR GAME

�Citywide Festivities Expected to Bring Several Hundred Thousand Visitors and Generate Nearly $150 Million for New York City Economy�

New York City (August 6, 2007) � New York City has been named as the host city for the 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which will be played on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008, at Yankee Stadium. The official announcement was made by the City of New York and Major League Baseball in January. NYC & Company, the official marketing and tourism organization for the City of New York, has committed a significant amount of their outdoor media assets to promote the All-Star Game festivities, including street-pole banners and bus-stop shelters throughout the City. The organization will also create and help generate a variety of citywide promotions and activities to contribute to the growing excitement for All-Star Week. According to the City's Economic Development Corporation, the weeklong event is expected to generate nearly $150 million in economic activity throughout the five boroughs and bring an estimated 175,000 more visitors to the City."I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the rich history and tradition of New York baseball than by bringing the 2008 All-Star Game to Yankee Stadium one last time," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "Baseball fans worldwide are sure to enjoy the exciting action as some of the game's brightest stars take the field at one of baseball's most fabled stadiums. And although we don't know which league will come out on top, we know the real winner will be New York City, which will benefit from the millions of dollars this event will generate for our economy.""Hosting the 2008 MLB All-Star Game is a tremendous opportunity for New York City," said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. "The festivities surrounding the Midsummer Classic will showcase the five boroughs of our city to a considerable international audience, including the many baseball fans from all over the world who will visit the City to be a part of this historic event."The 79th MLB All-Star Game will mark the most recent in a series of large-scale events in the City coordinated by NYC & Company, including the Latin GRAMMYS in 2006, the Country Music Association Awards in 2005, and this past spring's Spider-Man Week in NYC.Last week, Major League Baseball, the New York Yankees and the City of New York unveiled the official logo of the 79th MLB All Star Game at a press conference held at Yankee Stadium. The official 2008 All-Star Game logo features the New York Yankees' pinstripes as well as the Yankee Stadium fa�ade. In keeping with the colors of the Yankees, the official colors of the 2008 Midsummer Classic will be navy and white.This will be the fourth time the All-Star Game has been held at Yankee Stadium since it opened in 1923. Previous All-Star Games held there include 1939, 1960 and 1977. New York City has hosted the All-Star Game a total of eight times. The 2008 All-Star Game will be one of the highlights of the final season at the legendary venue, which will be torn down following the 2008 postseason. The Yankees will begin playing in a new $800 million Yankee Stadium, which is being funded entirely by the Yankees organization, starting in 2009.

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About NYC & Company:

NYC & Company is the official marketing, tourism and partnership organization for the City of New York, dedicated to maximizing travel and tourism opportunities throughout the five boroughs, building economic prosperity and spreading the positive image of New York City worldwide.