ESPN Videogames Announces the First Real Online League Experience; ``Create and Control History with Online League Play in Realistic ESPN Style''.

Entertainment Editors/Sports Editors/Business Editors

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2003

ESPN Videogames today announced details of the ESPN Videogames Online Leagues for PlayStation(R) 2 gamers who eagerly await the company's sports game lineup for the 2003-04 season. ESPN Videogames Online Leagues invite ESPN NFL Football, ESPN NBA Basketball, and ESPN College Hoops players to create and manage their own leagues with other sports gamers across the country. The leagues are now accessible at www.espnvideogames.com by clicking on the 'PS2 Online Gaming' link. This feature can be accessed through any PC with an Internet connection.

"The ESPN Videogames Online Leagues is the most robust offering for sports fans who are dedicated to the spirit of competition," states Greg Thomas, president of ESPN Videogames. "Created in tandem with our sports titles, they will surpass gamers' expectations with their deep play-by-play and statistical reporting."

The ESPN Videogames Online Leagues will deliver the following:

-- Fully Automated Stat Updates - After completing a scheduled

game, statistical data, including a won-lost record and game

stats (rushing yards, points per game, etc.), will be uploaded

directly to the league page;

-- Control the league - Players can create and manage the league

right through the PC. Up to 32 players can take control of

their favorite franchise and meet online to battle. The league

manager can determine the length of the schedule, the length

of quarters, and can set all difficulty settings;

-- Full Play-by-Play Recap - For each league game that is played,

a recap of every play in the game will be automatically

uploaded to the league page. This innovative new feature will

show everyone in the league exactly how the game went down;

-- Players Provide the ESPN Game Summary - After each game, users

will be able to, in their own words, provide a game recap for

their league's page. Funny or serious, taunting or polite - it

will all be there for the rest of the league to see;

-- 'Click and Go' Interface - Creating and managing a league is

as easy as 'point and click' as the league interface walks

league managers through the process and takes care of all the

calculations. Simply 'click and go';

-- Instant Messaging - Want to talk some smack? Or maybe just see

if a friend is interested in playing? Players online can use

the league's IM system to chat with a rival or best friend -

whether across the street or across the country. Players can

meet others through the message board and send them a personal

IM to discuss the league further;

-- League News - Each league page features a news section on

which league managers can post player achievements,

transactions or any other noteworthy items;

-- Interactive Tour - Before players start or join a league, an

online interactive tutorial is available to walk them through

the process.

ESPN Videogames titles are produced by Visual Concepts. For more information on the games, visit http://www.espnvideogames.com

About Visual Concepts Entertainment

Visual Concepts Entertainment is the maker of the critically acclaimed 2K series of sports games. The company is responsible for the full development and marketing for all ESPN Videogames titles and is committed to delivering the best, fully integrated sports gaming experience for all consumers. Visual Concepts Entertainment is wholly owned by Japan-based SEGA Corporation.

About ESPN

ESPN, Inc., is the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 40 multimedia sports assets. The company is comprised of seven domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes (to be launched around the new year), ESPN Now, ESPN Today), ESPN HD (a high-definition simulcast service of ESPN), ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (25 international networks and syndication), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, SportsTicker, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN Broadband, ESPN Wireless, ESPN Video-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.

NBA, NFL, NCAA, and NHL are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. (TM), (R), Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo GameCube are trademarks of Nintendo. ESPN is a registered trademark of ESPN, Inc. ESPN branded elements (C) Disney. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America markets the PlayStation(R) game console and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PlayStation game console and the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.