"WHEEL OF FORTUNE" AND PLAYERS INC SCORE BIG WITH NINTH ANNUAL "NFL PLAYERS WEEK"
Charities are the Real Winners as NFL Stars Spin the Wheel for Cash Prizes James Brown to provide introductions and special commentary for shows
Culver City, CA, December 27, 2004 - Fifteen top NFL players will be part of America's favorite game show when they appear on the ninth installment of Wheel of Fortune "NFL Players Week," announced Wheel of Fortune and PLAYERS INC today. Since its inception, "NFL Players Week" has raised nearly 2 million dollars for various charities that the players support. The shows were taped December 7, 2004 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California and will air the week of January 3-7, 2005 (check local listings for station and time).
Hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White will cheer on Drew Brees (San Diego Chargers), Nate Burleson (Minnesota Vikings), Eric Dickerson (Hall of Fame, Los Angeles Rams), Warrick Dunn (Atlanta Falcons), Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals), Robert Gallery (Oakland Raiders), Rex Grossman (Chicago Bears), Torry Holt (St. Louis Rams), Jevon Kearse (Philadelphia Eagles), Willie McGinest (New England Patriots), John Riggins (Hall of Fame, Washington Redskins), Rod Smith (Denver Broncos), Brandon Stokley (Indianapolis Colts), Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Kurt Warner (New York Giants), as they spin the Wheel for their favorite charities.
"This show has given fans a chance to see a personal side of their favorite NFL players as they compete and spin the wheel for charity," said Pat Allen, chief operating officer and executive vice president of PLAYERS INC. "Our nine-year partnership with Wheel of Fortune has not only brought fans closer to players but has significantly benefited player charities and foundations."
This year, as an added treat to viewers, James Brown, co-host of FOX NFL Sunday, will provide introductions and special commentary for each show throughout the week. Brown, also known as "JB," dedicates much of his time to community efforts and was eager to be involved in this project that brings NFL players and their charitable causes together with fans.
Each player will partner with a fan. Three different player/contestant teams will be featured each night, Monday, January 3 through Friday, January 7. The contestant from the team with the highest cash/prize total for the week will be the envy of football fans everywhere, as they will win the Super Prize valued at over $20,000.00: a spectacular five-day/four-night trip to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida.
This Grand Prize, courtesy of PLAYERS INC, includes VIP passes for two to mingle with hundreds of NFL players at the PLAYERS INC VIP Party, NFL Players Party and NFL Player Mania, along with two tickets to the game. The winner will also receive thousands of dollars worth of player-autographed memorabilia and a $5,000 Reebok Gift Certificate.
Beginning January 3, 2005, Viewers and fans have the opportunity to win PLAYERS INC and Wheel of Fortune apparel as well as watch behind-the-scenes footage at www.wheeloffortune.com.
Formed in 1994, PLAYERS INC is the for-profit licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association. Representing more than 1,800 active and 3,500 retired NFL players, PLAYERS INC "takes the helmets off" the players and markets them as personalities as well as professional athletes. PLAYERS INC activities include retail licensing, corporate sponsorships, special events, radio and television projects, publishing and other promotional programs. PLAYERS INC schedules more than 2,500 NFL player appearances each year. For more information, please visit www.nflplayers.com.
Fall 2004 marked the start of Wheel of Fortune's 22nd season in syndication. The show is seen by over 16 million viewers each evening in the U.S., and 100 million weekly viewers worldwide. Wheel of Fortune is produced by Sony Pictures Television and distributed worldwide by King World Productions, Inc.
Sony Pictures Television is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, worldwide channel investments, home video acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities, development of new entertainment products, services and technologies, and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
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