Real-Life Boxing Gets a Virtual Partner With Innovative Marketing Initiative From Major League Gaming & HBO Sports(R)

Real-Life Boxing Gets a Virtual Partner With Innovative Marketing Initiative From Major League Gaming & HBO Sports(R)

Fans Compete Online in Fight Night Round 4 as HBO(R) debuts its hit reality series 24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO on Saturday, Oct. 24 All leading up to Pacquiao vs. Cotto Pay-Per-View Event on Saturday, Nov. 14th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Top Two Players Win a VIP Trip to Las Vegas to Play their Final Match During Fight Weekend

NEW YORK, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Major League Gaming (MLG), the professional video game league, and HBO Sports announced today an exciting new marketing initiative to support the newest installment of the acclaimed HBO boxing reality series 24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO. The Emmy-Award-winning all-access series debuts its seventh installment on Saturday, Oct. 24. Partnering with MLG, HBO Sports has added a new dimension to expand the audience and appeal in the key youth demographic, an audience segment that has demonstrated a fever-pitch interest in playing boxing video games.

"We are excited about this new endeavor and developing a fun, interactive element for video game players that brings them closer to the HBO 24/7 experience," said Mark Taffet, Senior Vice President of HBO Sports. "We're very pleased to work with a new partner in MLG and create a competitive video game experience that can appeal to new fans of the sweet science."

HOW IT WORKS: Users can register starting today to compete as either Manny Pacquiao or Miguel Cotto in an online Fight Night Round 4 tournament, where they could win a chance to play their final match on-site during fight weekend and watch the fight live!

WHERE TO REGISTER: www.gamebattles.com/HBO247

GRAND PRIZE: The top-ranked online tournament Pacquiao and Cotto fighters will each win roundtrip airfare to/from Las Vegas, 2 nights hotel accommodation, one ticket to the live Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and one ticket to the VIP reception.

"It's been a pleasure to collaborate with the HBO team and we're thrilled to expose our loyal community to a great online and live fight experience," said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and chief brand officer of Major League Gaming.

ABOUT HBO SPORTS:

HBO Sports introduced the innovative and award-winning all-access reality series 24/7 in 2007. Through six editions of the hit reality series, HBO has earned seven Sports Emmy Awards® for production excellence. The newest installment -- 24/7 PACQUIAO/COTTO -- debuts Saturday, Oct. 24 on HBO and continues right up until fight night. Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto meet in boxing's next mega-fight as they battle for a welterweight crown on Saturday, Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING:

Major League Gaming is the largest professional video game league in the world. MLG is the dominant media property exclusively targeting the approximately 40 million consumers in North America who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity, while giving sponsoring brands access to this highly influential demographic. Major League Gaming represents the best professional gamers and give millions of aspiring players around the world an opportunity to compete, improve their skills, and socialize through our thriving online community and live Pro Circuit competitions. www.mlgpro.com

Contact: MLG: Amy Janzen (917) 209-6819 (ajanzen@mlgpro.com)

HBO: Kevin Flaherty (212) 512-5052 (kevin.flaherty@hbo.com)

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Major League Gaming

CONTACT: MLG, Amy Janzen, +1-917-209-6819, ajanzen@mlgpro.com; or HBO,
Kevin Flaherty, +1-212-512-5052, kevin.flaherty@hbo.com

Web Site: http://www.mlgpro.com/
http://www.gamebattles.com/HBO24

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Profile: International Entertainment