FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/29/97

THEATRIX/SANCTUARY WOODS TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL AND INTERACTIVE ‘PLAY FOOTBALL’ YOUTH AREA ON NFL WEB SITE

The National Football League has entered into an agreement with Theatrix/Sanctuary Woods (SWMC), a developer of sports and entertainment-based educational software, to develop a games, activities and education section for the NFL’s official web site, NFL.com. The section will be called "Play Football" and is being created specifically for young fans.

Theatrix/Sanctuary Woods will become a co-branded partner of "Play Football" online. "Play Football" is the NFL’s league-wide youth initiative, an umbrella program that encourages kids ages 6-11 to play, watch, attend and experience NFL football. The "Play Football" area will be one of the new features to debut on NFL.com this season.

"Play Football" online will offer a mix of fun and educational content with an emphasis on interactivity. Features will include NFL news, information on the NFL’s biggest stars, interactive games, polls and information on NFL events for kids.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Theatrix and the NFL," said Joyce Hakansson, executive vice president and creative director of Theatrix. "Football has consistently proven to be an excellent vehicle for providing academic material in a context kids care about and enjoy."

"Theatrix is expert at creating content that connects with kids," said Ann Kirschner, vice president of NFL Interactive. "This Play Football area is an online extension of a league-wide effort to reach our future fans and players. There are so many young fans online, and this new area enables them to learn about their favorite players and teams, plus participate in educational and interactive games."

Theatrix/Sanctuary Woods, through the Head CoachÔ brand, has experience with NFL-based educational products, including the CD-ROM products NFL Math and NFL Reading. Designed to help kids from ages nine to thirteen improve their math, reading, spelling and vocabulary skills, these programs use content that’s interesting to kids: real pro football information and facts.

Founded in 1988, Emeryville, Ca-based Theatrix/Sanctuary Woods is the innovative developer of the Head CoachÔ line of sports-based educational software titles as well as award-winning Theatrix products, including Math Heads, Juilliard Music Adventure and Hollywood High.

NFL Interactive is a division of NFL Enterprises, responsible for the league’s new technology and development ventures. NFL.com, produced by NFL Interactive and ESPN Internet Ventures, will enter its third NFL season in cyberspace this Fall.

Media Contacts:

Mary Griswold, NFL, 212/450-2068
Melissa Rabin/ Lauren Finkelman, S&S Public Relations for Theatrix/Sanctuary Woods, 800-287-2279