GGL Global Gaming GETS "BIG AIR" WITH NEW EXTREME SPORTS GAMING LEAGUE
New "Big Air Gaming League" to Feature Top Extreme Sports Stars and Celebrities
SANTA MONICA, CA; February 6, 2008 - GGL, the leading media company dedicated to the culture of videogames, today announced the formation of the Big Air Gaming League (BAGL), the latest addition to GGL's new Sports and Celebrity League Series. Officially kicking off at the"2008 Honda Session" snowboarding event in Vail, CO, and presented by GameStop, the leading retailer of videogames with more than 5,000 stores worldwide; the BAGL brings the world of competitive online videogaming to celebrities, pro snowboarders, skaters and X-gamers alike. After a grueling year-long competition, the winners will be announced just prior to the "2009 Honda Session" competition.
Open to amateur gamers everywhere, the February 8-10, 2008, competition will attract extreme sports athletes and enthusiasts from all over the globe. As the case with other GGL leagues, BAGL will include top sports professionals including snowboarders, skaters and major celebrities. The format will consist of three live public tournaments throughout the year and feature popular titles such as Guitar Hero III and other top games.
The winner of the BAGL Honda Competition will be presented with the coveted Commissioners' necklace along with being named the 2008 BAGL commissioner (other commissioners include Johnny Damon/Prince Fielder for PBGL, and the illustrious hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg for HHGL). Winners of the online competition will receive cash prizes, customized snowboards and a total of three trips for two to the 2009 Honda Session.
"By creating the virtual season, GGL continues to bring traditional organized sports online and into the 21st century. The Big Air Gaming League is all about connecting the world's largest community of gamers - of all levels and expertise - with the action sports stars and celebrities they love," said Founder and Chairman for GGL Ted Owen. "We're excited to take action sports online by creating a virtual competition for both the professional athletes and their fans to participate in."
Leading the pack of competitors, TJ Schneider was the first to throw his hat in the ring to compete and become the inaugural BAGL Commissioner.
"As the number one retailer for videogamers nationwide, bringing GGL's experience with online videogame competition and creating social networking for game players makes them a natural partner for us," indicated Joseph Heilner, Director of Partnership Alliances and Tournaments for GameStop. "Teaming with GGL to create the Big Air Gaming League tournament further validates our commitment to bringing 'Power to the Players' while providing gamers with the opportunity to the best at what they love."
For additional information, tournament rules or to sign up for the public BAGL tournament, please visit www.bagl.ggl.com.
About GGL:
GGL is a worldwide leader in videogame competition, community and coverage. With 11 million unique visits per month, GGL is the top destination for the global community of videogame enthusiasts and its culture. Via the company's unique social gaming network platform, GGL caters to gaming's varied competition needs, and broad array of video content that fills a much-needed void in the entertainment space. Through these offerings, GGL creates an immersive entertainment experience for a rapidly growing community of connected gamers. For more information, visit www.ggl.com.
About GameStop:
Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp. is the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 5,123 retail stores across the United States and in fifteen international countries. The company also operates two e-commerce sites, GameStop.com and EBgames.com, and publishes Game Informer ® magazine, a leading multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company's corporate website: http://www.gamestop.com/corporate.
For more information, contact:
Scott Baldwin, Weber Shandwick for GGL
212-445-8107; sbaldwin@webershandwick.com
Chris Olivera, DVP, Corporate Communications, GameStop
817-(817) 424-2130, publicrelations@gamestop.com