NEW YORK, NY – July 18 - 19, 2006 -- In New York City July 18 and 19, athletes representing the NBA, NFL, NASCAR and NHL will come together to brainstorm an athlete-led nationwide campaign challenging youth obesity – an epidemic affecting more than 17 million American kids and teens. Led by Dallas Mavericks’ Jerry Stackhouse and Atlanta Falcons’ Allen Rossum, the first-ever Professional Athletes Council (PAC) will convene with a mission to leverage their influence with youth to become powerful role models for healthy living.

Professional Athletes Council -- PAC attendees and inaugural members include high-profile athletes such as NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, Atlanta Falcon DeAngelo Hall, Orlando Magic Dwight Howard, Dallas Maverick Josh Howard, former NFL and CFL star Rocket Ismail, NY Ranger Kevin Weekes, Minnesota Timberwolves Ricky Davis, Boston Celtic Al Jefferson, Indiana Pacer Fred Jones, retired NFL player Leroy Butler and former WNBA player Kym Hampton.

Meeting Highlights -- Held in partnership with Action for Healthy Kids, a non-profit organization formed to combat youth obesity through changes in schools, the PAC meeting will feature presentations and roundtable discussions by noted health and wellness experts, such as Mr. Bill Potts-Datema, Bureau Chief/Atlanta for The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health and Dr. Antronette Yancey, Associate Professor of Health Services and PHD Program Director at UCLA, and Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD executive director of Action for Healthy Kids. Working together, the athletes and experts will identify relevant ways to inspire, engage and empower their young fans to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Youth Event/Media Opportunity -- Following the morning educational session, the athletes will visit a local Boys & Girls Club to participate with over 100 boys and girls in the pilot of an innovative event, Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge - a fun, interactive obstacle course integrating nutrition and physical activity.

Looking Ahead -- The PAC plans to reconvene annually to discuss current issues in youth obesity with partnership experts, update on measurable impact, welcome new members and pursue the following:

Drive national media coverage of youth obesity issue.
Lead one million unique visitors to PAC Website.
Raise funds to grant $5 million to youth and athlete-led obesity prevention initiatives.
Implement Healthy KidsFest events in 50 markets, reaching 100,000 youth and families.
Engage 100 athletes to take a stance against youth obesity, demonstrating support through PAC in the fight.

Weighing Heavy on America: Youth Obesity Trend -- According to the American Obesity Association and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, youth obesity is a national epidemic, with nearly one in three youths (age 6-19) overweight; 15 percent considered obese. Today there are nearly twice as many overweight children and almost three times as many overweight adolescents as there were in 1980. The CDC warns that one in three US children born in 2000 will become diabetic unless many more people start eating less and exercising more. In addition to type II diabetes, being overweight puts youth at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, lower productivity, higher healthcare costs, shorter life expectancy, as well as a legacy of obesity to the next generation.

For more information about PAC, please contact Annie Civetz at annie@excelsm.com.