Posted: December 8, 2005

Athletics: Devine Racing Announces Staff Changes

Bob Snyder Named VP/Sales & Merchandising

CHICAGO (December 8, 2005) – As Devine Racing continues to announce its expansion adding new departments and areas of expertise, President/CEO Steve Miller today announced the appointment of radio sales and management veteran Bob Snyder as Vice President of Sales and Merchandising effective December 1, 2005. Snyder will report directly to Miller as one of the company’s four vice presidents headquartered in Chicago.

“Bob Snyder has a track record that parallels the most successful sales leaders in our industry.” said Miller. “His previous accomplishments speak volumes about his skills in the sports business industry. What is even more impressive are his organizational and administrative qualities. He has consistently built teams that have exceeded all expectations. I am thrilled that he has chosen Devine Racing.”

Bob will lead all Devine Racing sales and sponsorship efforts on four levels – building an amalgam of all national and international sales; directing and managing all in-house sales staff as well as local sales managers who will report directly to him; managing and supervising all EXPO sales efforts and directing all Merchandise Sales efforts in sponsorship or direct sales to consumers.

Snyder brings to Devine more than 20 years sports-sales related experience, having served many of those years in the sports radio business. Bob was a radio station general manager in two top 10 markets, including 4 years at ESPN Radio 1000 (WMVP) in Chicago.

For six years, Snyder was the principal radio representative of the Washington Redskins and the Washington Redskins Radio Network and for four years while at WMVP, he was the principal radio representative of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox.

Bob also was founder and managing partner of the Miami Matadors Professional Hockey Team in the East Coast Hockey League. A Double A Florida Panthers minor league affiliate, the team played in Miami Arena and eventually was sold to become the Cincinnati Cyclones.

For the past year and a half, Snyder has operated Beason Broadcast Partners, a consulting firm advising professional franchises, broadcasters and advertisers on matters related to radio play-by-play and that plays host to the Radio Play-by-Play Industry and Sales Conference held annually during the summer in Chicago. Bob will maintain and continue to oversee his consultancy on a more select basis.

Ken Valdiserri Named Vice President Of Marketing And Communications

Veteran sports marketing executive Ken Valdiserri will join the Devine Racing team effective January 1, 2006, leading the entire Devine Racing organization’s marketing and communications efforts. Valdiserri will report directly to Miller as one of the company’s four vice presidents headquartered in Chicago.

Devine Racing President/CEO Steve Miller noted, “Ken Valdiserri provides Devine Racing with a combination of unique skill sets. His years of experience provide us with the opportunity to interface sports and business. Ken is regarded as a creative marketer with an excellent reputation, an outstanding communicator and a tireless salesperson. Our entire team will benefit from his insights, perspectives and leadership qualities. He is a proven winner.” Miller also announced Ken will oversee all advertising, public relations and website development as well as, liaison with staff people and agencies reporting directly to him.

“I'm really excited to have this opportunity to work with Steve Miller and the dynamic team he is putting together at Devine Racing. Steve, Bruce Buzil and Chris Devine all have proven track records in the sports, media and business world. This is truly a visionary and progressive thinking group that will provide sports and racing fans with exciting events. I feel fortunate to be able to be a part of this cooperative effort,” added Valdiserri.

Ken Valdiserri joined ABC/ESPN Radio in April 2001. He served in senior level marketing and sales as well as, assisting with programming and business development. In 2002-03, Ken won an ABC/Disney ‘Circle of Excellence Award’ for sales performance and contributions to the station’s growth.

Prior to joining ESPN, Ken spent 17 years with the Chicago Bears NFL Football Club (1984-2000). He was named the team’s first ever Director of Marketing in 1988 and added broadcasting responsibilities to his title 1989-2000. Ken directed the team’s broadcast, marketing, promotional, and merchandising efforts and was responsible for the development of all the team’s corporate sponsorship programs.

Ken was the team’s Public Relations Director from 1984-88. He was the team’s PR director during its only Super Bowl Championship season – 1985 and was coordinating producer for the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle’ that sold 500,000+ copies.

Before joining the Bears in 1984, Ken was Assistant Public Relations Director for the Chicago White Sox (1981 - 1983) and an Administrative Assistant in the Baseball Commissioner’s Office in New York (1980). A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Ken spent three years working in the Irish sports information office while earning a degree in communication arts in 1980.

Devine Racing is the Chicago-based company that has fast been building a national reputation for acquiring and managing world-class amateur athletic events. Established to bring a new level of quality and professionalism to amateur road racing events in major market cities, the Devine Racing portfolio currently includes the Los Angeles Marathon, the ‘New’ Las Vegas Marathon, the Salt Lake City Marathon, the Chicago Half Marathon and the Chicago Big 10K. Conversations are underway to expand that portfolio within the next 18 months.

Committed to the celebration on individual accomplishment, Devine Racing believes it has the responsibility to deliver the highest level of professional service in the industry – for participants, sponsors and the communities where races are held. This obligation stems from Devine Racing co-founder Chris Devine’s passion for running and respect for all runners. Building a consistently exceptional experience for the athletes is the focus of Devine’s business, thus growing the value associated with competitive distance running for all involved.