Local Youth Baseball Teams Vie for National Spotlight During ESPN's SportsCenter

KFC Salutes Most Enthusiastic Team with One-of-a-Kind On-Air Feature 


LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 2  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- KFC and ESPN have teamed up to search for America's most enthusiastic youth baseball team. Sports fans nationwide are encouraged to nominate and vote for their most passionate hometown squad who exemplifies team spirit.  The local team with the most votes will have one of their games recorded by ESPN and be the subject of an ESPN-produced feature in SportsCenter.

"KFC is proud to team with ESPN and SportsCenter to pay tribute to the youth baseball teams who are so enthusiastic about America's pastime," said James O'Reilly, chief marketing officer for KFC. "Team sports are more than just wins and losses so KFC wants to recognize the teams that exemplify the teamwork, passion and dedication present in youth baseball.  For the second consecutive year we're excited to step up to the plate to recognize America's most enthusiastic team along with those competing in Williamsport, Pa."

Fans can visit ESPN.com, search "KFC", to obtain official rules, as well as nominate and vote for teams that exemplify enthusiasm. The winning team, as well as the 19 additional squads scoring the most online votes, will win ESPN gear and a party at KFC.

To find out more about how KFC can help rally your home team, and to enter, visit ESPN.com, search "KFC."  To the find the KFC nearest you log onto http://www.kfc.com/

About KFC

KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe(R), Extra Crispy(TM) and Colonel's Crispy Strips(R) with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches.  There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day.  KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE:YUM.)

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc. is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN and ESPN2 HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (32 networks, syndication, radio, web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN360.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand, ESPN Interactive and ESPN PPV.  Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.  The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN. 

DATASOURCE: KFC Corporation



CONTACT:  Laurie Schalow of KFC Corporation, [phone],

; or Chad Kersman, [phone],

, for KFC Corporation



Web site:  http://www.kfc.com/ 

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