(January 21, 2002)

WUSA’s TV reach extends to Canada

ATLANTA GA (January 21, 2002) – The WUSA will expand its international television footprint with the addition of Canadian television network WTSN to the league’s global television roster.

The partnership was announced Monday by Kerry Tatlock, WUSA vice president of television and new media, and Sue Prestedge, senior vice president of WTSN, the world’s first 24-hour network dedicated to covering women’s sports. The agreement is for one year with an option for a second season in 2003.

WTSN expects to air 25 live games, including playoff and championship matches, and will have the right to air repeat broadcasts of each match up to three times. In addition, WTSN will air replays of the two 2001 Semifinal Games (New York Power @ San Jose CyberRays and Philadelphia Charge @ Atlanta Beat) and WUSA Founder’s Cup I (CyberRays vs. Atlanta Beat from Foxboro Stadium) as a lead into the 2002 season.

The WUSA matches will be carried without commercial breaks in action, except as formatted within halftime. Among the highlights of the WTSN package are:

The first match of the 2002 season,
The 2002 WUSA Semifinals and WUSA Founder’s Cup II, the league’s championship game.
A blend of nationally televised matches in the United States from PAX TV and regionally televised games.

``Our agreement with WTSN provides the league with additional exposure in a country where soccer continues to grow in popularity,’’ Tatlock said. ``With players from 18 different countries, the WUSA features top stars from around the world, and international distribution allows us to showcase these athletes in their home countries and continue to attract the world’s best.’’

WUSA games were aired internationally on China Central Television and in New Zealand on TelstraSaturn during the league’s inaugural season in 2001.

WTSN is owned by NetStar's TSN, part of the CTV Inc., family. CTV is a division of Bell Globemedia, which also owns The Globe and Mail of Toronto, considered Canada’s national newspaper, Globe Interactive and Sympatico-Lycos. For more information on WTSN, please check out the network’s web site at www.wtsn.ca.

[Source: Dan Courtemanche, WUSA Communications, 404 / 269-8269; Andrea Goldstein, WTSN Communications,416 / 332-7575]