FOX SPORTS AND "THE SIMPSONS" COLLABORATE TO PROMOTE FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2015

Soccer-Themed Couch Gag Opens May 10 Episode

Alex Morgan, Christen Press & Abby Wambach Get "Simpsonized" Morgan, Press & Wambach See Life-Sized Simpsons Standups Unveiled: http://foxs.pt/1cbE7bb

New York - FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2015 is just under a month away, and FOX Sports has joined forces with THE SIMPSONS, one of entertainment's most iconic brands, to spread the word from coast-to-coast.

THE SIMPSONS team has produced a special soccer-themed couch gag to open this Sunday's (5/10) episode (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Instead of seeing the familiar couch in the Simpsons' living room, we see a soccer goal, with Homer playing goaltender. A soccer ball comes at him, that he stops, then a second, which he also stops. Then more and more balls are fired at him faster and faster until he is stuck in the goal filled with balls. It is then we shift to Homer's point-of-view and we see the kicker is the adorable Maggie, dressed in a U.S. Women's National Team uniform. Next, she knees-up a ball and heads it into camera, filling the frame.

"Being able to connect the U.S. Women's National Team with an iconic brand like THE SIMPSONS to help raise awareness for the Women's World Cup is really quite an honor," offered Robert Gottlieb, Executive Vice President, Marketing, FOX Sports. "The Women's World Cup is going to be a truly cultural event in the U.S. beginning next month, and this partnership with THE SIMPSONS and Gracie Films is one of several examples of how elements of 21st Century Fox have worked together in creative ways to promote this huge tournament."

In addition to the couch gag, three members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team - Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Abby Wambach - join an elite group of athletes and sports personalities who have been "Simpsonized." The life-sized "Simpsonized" likenesses of Morgan, Press and Wambach were unveiled earlier this week with the players present in Newport Beach, Calif., where the team is currently making final preparations for the FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP(TM) this summer in Canada.

The sports world and THE SIMPSONS have often collided, with FOX Sports personalities like Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson and Howie Long guest starring in past episodes. Other big-time athletes who have guest starred on the animated hit series include FOX NFL lead game analyst Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Venus and Serena Williams. Even world-renowned soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and members of Chelsea F.C. have been so honored.

In the first of three send-off matches, the USWNT faces Ireland on Sunday, May 10 with coverage on FOX Sports 1 beginning at 2:00 PM ET, live from Avaya Stadium in San Jose. Fans attending the match in-person have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the Morgan, Press and Wambach "Simpsonized" standees in a customized photo booth, then upload the images to a social media account.

FOX Sports plans the most expansive and comprehensive multi-platform coverage ever of the FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2015(TM), including an unprecedented 16 matches airing live on FOX broadcast network, when the tournament commences on June 6. FOX Sports televises all 52 games in the expanded tournament from six cities across Canada between June 6 and July 5, 2015 live on FOX; FOX Sports 1, America's fastest growing sports network; and FOX Sports 2. All games are available on tablets and mobile devices via the FOX Sports GO app and online at www.FOXSportsGO.com.

- FOX SPORTS -

ABOUT THE SIMPSONS

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently airing its record-annihilating 26th season and in production on their 27th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 31 Emmy Awards, a 2015 People's Choice Award and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short The Longest Daycare. The Simpsons Movie was a hit feature film, their mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of 'Springfield' and the show was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the "Best Show of the 20th Century" by Time Magazine, and called the "Greatest American Sitcom" by Entertainment Weekly in 2013.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the Executive Producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Film Roman, a Starz Company, is the animation house.