Major League Baseball, General Motors Announce Sponsorship Agreement;

    Business Editors/Sports Editors/Automotive Writers

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2005--Major League Baseball (MLB) and General Motors Corporation (NYSE:GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, have reached a three-year sponsorship agreement through the League's sponsorship arm of MLB Properties to make Chevrolet the "Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball." Executives from Major League Baseball and General Motors made the announcement today during a press conference in New York City.
    The agreement, which begins immediately and continues through the 2007 Major League Baseball season, gives Chevrolet exclusive category rights. Chevrolet was previously an official sponsor of Major League Baseball from 1985 through 1996, and this is the first MLB partner in the automotive category since that time. General Motors also has long-time corporate sponsorships with a number of MLB Clubs, and through its vehicle divisions currently has relationships with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres.
    As part of the agreement, Chevrolet will be the presenting sponsor of two of the game's most prestigious awards, the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award and the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. The MVP of both events will be presented with the Chevrolet vehicle of his choice at the conclusion of the All-Star Game and deciding World Series game telecasts.
    Chevy also will be the presenting sponsor of the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show. The 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet will announce the starters, reserves and pitchers for the 2005 All-Star Game, along with the five position players in each League eligible for the "Ameriquest 2005 All-Star Final Vote" on MLB.com. The 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show airs Sunday, July 3, 2005 on ESPN.
    "We are thrilled to forge this new partnership with General Motors Corporation and to have Chevrolet become the official vehicle of Major League Baseball," said Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, Major League Baseball. "Like Major League Baseball and its Clubs, General Motors and Chevrolet are icons of American culture. During the next three years, Chevrolet and Major League Baseball will work together to create new and innovative ways in which to market the game of baseball and the Chevy brand."
    "Both Major League Baseball and Chevrolet encapsulate the American spirit. We are proud to partner with a premier sports property that offers such a strong and diverse following. In today's competitive automotive environment, it's important to create partnerships that set us apart from the competition," said Steve Tihanyi, General Director of Marketing Alliances and Regional Operations for General Motors. "With Chevrolet's 'American Revolution' product launch schedule of 10 new products in 20 months, it makes sense that we expand our relationship with Major League Baseball. This partnership will further allow us to market our full line of cars and trucks to baseball fans across the country."
    As part of the agreement, Chevrolet will make significant media commitments to national Major League Baseball rightsholders, as well as to "This Week in Baseball" Presented by Pepsi, produced by Emmy(R) award-winning Major League Baseball Productions, and to publications created by MLB Properties. Chevrolet also will be a participating sponsor of John Hancock All-Star FanFest, the interactive baseball theme park that opens Major League Baseball All-Star Week. Chevrolet will be the title sponsor of a premier attraction at the five-day event, which takes place this year at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan.

    About Major League Baseball Properties

    The Major League Baseball Clubs formed Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP) in 1966 as the Club's agent for marketing and trademark licensing and protection. Major League Baseball Properties is responsible for managing consumer licensing activities, developing national advertising campaigns, cultivating sponsorship opportunities with major consumer brands and corporations, growing the game and the business of baseball outside the United States and creating national marketing programs in conjunction with Clubs, broadcast rightsholders and national sponsors. MLBP also operates a full-service video and audio production unit (Major League Baseball Productions), a publishing division and stock photo licensing agency, and manages logistics for the All-Star Game and World Series as well as all other special events. For more information on Major League Baseball, log on to www.MLB.com.

    About Chevrolet

    Chevrolet is a division of General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer. GM employs about 324,000 people globally in its core automotive business and subsidiaries. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in more than 190 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks, up 4 percent and the second highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit. More information on GM and its products can be found on the company's website at www.gm.com.

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CONTACT: Major League Baseball Kathleen Fineout, 212-931-7878 Kathleen.Fineout@MLB.com or Carmine N. Tiso, 212-931-7878 Carmine.Tiso@MLB.com or General Motors Molly Carter, 630-961-6431 or Ryndee Carney, 313-667-7627

KEYWORD: MICHIGAN NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AUTOMOTIVE SPORTS MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Major League Baseball

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