CMGI and the New England Patriots Announce Comprehensive Marketing and Technology Partnership; New Patriots Stadium Complex to be Named, 'CMGI Field'.

Business/Technology Editors

ANDOVER and FOXBORO, Mass.--(BW SportsWire)--Aug. 23, 2000

CMGI-affiliated Companies to Become Preferred Technology Partners

for the New England Patriots and New England Revolution 

Editor's Summary:

--CMGI and the New England Patriots today announced a comprehensive marketing and technology partnership to include CMGI's purchase of the naming rights for the new home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution. The new stadium, now under construction and expected to open for play in 2002, will be known as "CMGI Field."

--The 15-year agreement is among the most comprehensive naming rights contracts in the history of the NFL, including significant hospitality, sponsorship and promotional rights both in and around the new stadium complex, as well as in the Patriots' larger marketing and advertising properties.

--CMGI-affiliated companies, including NaviSite and Activate, will become preferred technology partners for the New England Patriots and New England Revolution, leveraging CMGI's Internet expertise to connect with fans worldwide.

--Robert Kraft, chairman and owner of the New England Patriots, and David Wetherell, chairman and CEO of CMGI, will host a joint press conference at the Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA) beginning at 11 AM today to discuss the new partnership with media and special guests. A live webcast of the press conference will also be broadcast from the CMGI (http://www.cmgi.com), CMGI Field (http://www.cmgifield.com) and New England Patriots (http://www.patriots.com) web sites.

CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI) representing the largest, most diverse network of Internet companies in the world, today announced a comprehensive marketing and technology partnership with the owners of the New England Patriots and the new Patriots' stadium now under construction in Foxboro, Mass. Under the terms of the 15-year agreement, CMGI has acquired the exclusive naming rights to the new stadium, to be known as "CMGI Field." The agreement also includes significant sponsorship and promotional rights both in and around the stadium complex, and within the Patriots' larger marketing and advertising properties spanning regional, national and international media. CMGI will also become the Patriots' preferred provider of Internet technology products and services, including web hosting and streaming media broadcasting.

"This agreement marks a significant milestone in CMGI's history," said David Wetherell, chairman and CEO of CMGI, Inc. "Partnering with the New England Patriots enables us to strengthen our local presence while simultaneously reaching a broader national and international audience. With more than 2,000 of our 5,600+ employees, and nearly 20 affiliated companies making their home in New England, CMGI Field represents an unparalleled branding and awareness vehicle, as well as an exciting new channel for sales and business development opportunities via the Patriots' media properties and partners. CMGI enthusiastically shares the community's support for the Patriots and we're thrilled to be a part of their future in New England."

"In the short period of time we have searched for a naming partner, we were approached by numerous, highly respected regional, national and global companies," said Robert Kraft, chairman and owner of the New England Patriots. "It was important to us that we select a partner who is helping to create the building blocks of the new economy, a company with strong and visionary leadership and a company that shares our commitment to New England. CMGI is at the top of the list in all three categories and we believe they will be the perfect partner."

In return for the naming and sponsorship rights, CMGI will pay $7.6 million per year for the first 10 years, with CPI adjustments for years 11-15. CMGI will acquire the naming rights immediately but will not make its first semi-annual payment to the New England Patriots until January 2002.

CMGI Field: A Comprehensive Marketing and Technology Partnership

The agreement between the New England Patriots and CMGI represents one of the most comprehensive sponsorship and naming rights contract of its kind. In addition to the publicity value inherent in the stadium name, CMGI will garner significant value from the accompanying national and international media exposure, as well as the many marketing, hospitality and event opportunities associated with the stadium. The audience and media reach of the New England Patriots, including the Hartford, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusetts; and Providence, Rhode Island media markets, ranks as the third largest in the United States, and is expected to generate more than 2.6 billion impressions annually for the new stadium.

In keeping with its network operating model, CMGI will also be able to extend significant marketing and promotional benefits to its affiliated companies, including NaviSite (Nasdaq: NAVI), which has already been named the official managed applications hosting provider for the Patriots Internet site, and Activate, a CMGI streaming media company, which will begin managing webcasts of Patriots news and special events. Additional elements of the agreement include:

--Significant signage both inside and outside the stadium, including CMGI Field (signage) above the scoreboards at each end of the stadium, and prominent signage at the stadium's main entrance;

--Corporate hospitality rights for CMGI and its operating companies on a year-round basis in the state-of-the-art Stadium Club;

--Prominent rotating signage as well as in-stadium video advertising during each Patriots and Revolution home game for use by CMGI and/or one of the CMGI operating companies;

--Advertising in certain team-controlled broadcast (television, radio and Internet) and print media for use by CMGI and/or one of the CMGI operating companies;

--Prominent display of the CMGI and CMGI Field logos on the Patriots team and stadium web sites;

--"Day of game" sponsorship rights for the first pre-season home game each year to be available to CMGI and/or one of the CMGI operating companies

About CMGI Field

Occupying more than 17 acres of land in Foxboro, Mass., CMGI Field will be a 68,000 seat, open-air facility with a natural grass playing surface. With more than 350 concession stands, 1,000 television monitors, 2,000 luxury suite seats, 14,000 parking spaces and 60 bathrooms, CMGI Field promises to be one of the most convenient, family-friendly and state-of-the-art sports facilities ever constructed. Additional information on the new stadium is now available at http://www.cmgifield.com.

About CMGI and CMGI @Ventures

With nearly 70 companies, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI) represents the largest, most diverse network of Internet companies in the world, including both CMGI operating companies and synergistic investments made through its venture capital affiliate, CMGI @Ventures. CMGI leverages the technologies, content and market reach of its extended family of companies to foster rapid growth and industry leadership across its network and the larger Internet Economy. Compaq, Intel, Microsoft, Pacific Century CyberWorks and Sumitomo hold minority positions in CMGI.

CMGI's majority-owned operating companies include Engage (Nasdaq: ENGA), NaviSite (Nasdaq: NAVI), 1stUp.com, Activate, AdForce, AltaVista, CMGIon, CMGI Solutions, Equilibrium, ExchangePath, iCAST, MyWay.com, NaviPath, SalesLink, Tribal Voice, uBid.com, and yesmail.com. CMGI @Ventures has ownership interests in 52 companies, including Lycos, Inc. (Nasdaq: LCOS), Critical Path (Nasdaq: CPTH), MotherNature.com (Nasdaq: MTHR), Ventro (Nasdaq: VNTR) and Vicinity (Nasdaq: VCNT).

CMGI's corporate headquarters is located at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. CMGI @Ventures maintains offices in Andover, as well as at 3000 Alpine Road, Menlo Park, CA 94028. For additional information, see http://www.cmgi.com and http://www.ventures.com.

About the New England Patriots

In 1994, Robert Kraft paid an unprecedented price to purchase the New England Patriots, saving the franchise from an expected move out of New England. Since then, the Patriots have become perennial playoff contenders, having qualified for the playoffs four times, won back-to-back division titles and one conference title in the past six seasons. The popularity and support for the Patriots has never been higher. Entering his seventh season as owner, the Patriots have already sold out every home game for the 2000 season, which will extend their consecutive streak of home sellouts to 71 games by the end of the regular season, a streak which began with the 1994 season opener and includes every preseason, regular season and postseason game played at Foxboro Stadium since.

The Patriots were one of the eight original franchises of the American Football League, which began in 1960 and rivaled the NFL until the two leagues merged in 1970. For 11 seasons, they were known as the Boston Patriots, but called five different venues "home" during that time, including Boston University Field, Fenway Park and Harvard Stadium. In 1971, the Patriots took residence in Foxboro, Mass., which has provided a home for the New England Patriots for the last 30 years.

About the New England Revolution

In 1995, the Kraft family made the dream of top-flight professional soccer in New England a reality with the formation of the New England Revolution. Since then, the team has become one of the flagship organizations in Major League Soccer, averaging over 18,000 fans per match since it began play in 1996. The team made its first postseason appearance in 1997 and in 2000 is on course to have its most successful season ever. The Revolution has served as the platform in making Foxboro Stadium one of the premier venues in the nation for international soccer events. Since 1991, over two million fans have attended soccer events in Foxboro, including Revolution matches, MLS Cup Championship matches, Men's and Women's World Cup and numerous other international exhibitions representing over 20 different countries.

This release contains forward-looking statements which address a variety of subjects including, for example, the expected benefits of the agreement and relationship between CMGI and the New England Patriots. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements: CMGI may experience difficulties integrating technologies, operations and personnel of recent acquisitions; CMGI's growth and success depends upon continued and increased demand for and market acceptance of CMGI's and its operating companies' web sites and the Internet in general; CMGI may experience difficulties in financing its operations; CMGI and CMGI @Ventures may experience difficulties in future acquisition and investment activities based on factors beyond their control; and increased competition and technological changes in the markets in which CMGI and its operating companies compete. For a detailed discussion of these and other cautionary statements, please refer to CMGI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including CMGI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.