FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Date: Monday, September 15, 2003 Release: No. 255 MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE NEW YORK CITY SPORTS COMMISSION AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the appointment of five members to the New York City Sports Commission and 28 members to the Sports Development Corporation. Both entities, whose members met for the first time today at City Hall, will work with Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba to attract professional and amateur athletic events to the City, promote New York City as the premier location for international and national-level sporting events, and develop initiatives that serve New York City's youth and disabled populations. The Sports Commission was created in 1986 by Local Law 74, and the Sports Development Corporation was created in 1994 as a local development corporation. The two organizations operate together, and their members represent the broad diversity and strength of the City's sports, business, and government communities. The Sports Commission is composed of five members: two appointed by the Mayor, two appointed by the Speaker of the City Council, and one Chair designated by the Mayor and the Speaker. They each serve a term of three years. Mitchell B. Modell has been reappointed as Chair. "I am pleased to appoint such a distinguished group of individuals to the Sports Commission and the Sports Development Corporation," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Sports Commission has done an extraordinary job of marketing and promoting New York City, and attracting exciting events to the City such as the NFL Kickoff Live In Times Square. Sporting events play a vital role in our City's economy and I am confident that these individuals will work together to enhance our reputation as the 'Sports Capital of the World'." "I am honored to be reappointed as Chair of the New York City Sports Commission and would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg for giving me the opportunity to continue serving the City of New York," said Mitchell B. Modell. "With the addition of some of our city's finest business, sports and government leaders, I am confident that we can bring sports in New York to an even higher level." "I am delighted that the Mayor and Speaker have selected such a talented, accomplished and diverse team to serve on our Board," said Sports Commissioner Podziba. "They will undoubtedly provide us with the leadership necessary to further enhance our city's economy through sports." The Sports Commission played an important role in attracting and creating many new sporting events including the NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square, NYC Cycling Championships presented by BMC Software, Senior Men's Tennis Championship, Let Freedom Run and The Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race. The Commission is also working with the NYC Permanent Host Committee to bring the 2008 Super Bowl to New York/New Jersey and NYC2012 to bring the Olympic games to The World's Second Home(tm). Don Garber is the Commissioner of Major League Soccer. Mr. Garber reorganized the MLS's marketing department, creating a fan development group and team services division, and has expanded Major League Soccer's resources in Hispanic marketing and communications. Prior to the MLS, he was the Senior VP/Managing Director of NFL International overseeing television production and distribution, marketing and fan development activities, sponsorship sales, and licensing.