FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS:
NFLE 9/27/01 BRIAN McCARTHY, NFL, 212-450-2069
KEVIN PURSGLOVE, EBAY
408-558-7458
CHARTESE BOOTY, PLAYERS INC
202-496-2885
NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, D.C. and SAN JOSE, CA -- The National Football League and Players Inc announced today that they will participate in eBay’s Auction for America program.
All gross proceeds from auction sales of designated NFL merchandise and fantasy experiences during the 2001 season will be contributed to Auction for America, eBay’s relief program. eBay’s Auction for America hopes to raise $100 million in 100 days to support the families and communities affected by the terrorist attacks of September 11.
The effort benefits the September 11th Fund, the Twin Towers Fund and the New York State World Trade Center Relief Fund.
The items will appear on NFL Auction, a co-branded NFL and eBay page on NFL.COM, and will be promoted on eBay, NFL.com, the individual team websites and nflplayers.com. NFL fans may bid on NFL Auction one-of-a-kind items, such as game-worn merchandise, specially autographed items and fantasy experiences, including trips to away games with their favorite team.
The NFL and Players Inc, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association, will work together to secure team and player participation for Auction for America. This is the second season of the NFL-eBay relationship.
“We are pleased to participate with the NFL Players Association in eBay’s Auction for America program,” said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. “Auction for America is an inventive way for the NFL, its teams, players and fans to make significant contributions to organizations dealing with the loss of life and needs resulting from the terrorist incidents.”
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“We are very happy that the NFL and the NFLPA are so generously supporting ‘Auction for America,’” said Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay. “Together they will inspire their fans and our communities to help those who have been affected by this tragedy.”
"Through eBay's Auction for America program, NFL players will continue to contribute their time and resources to those affected by the tragedies of September 11," said Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association.
In addition to the effort with eBay, the NFL (through NFL Charities) and the NFL Players Association announced last week that the organizations will contribute a minimum of $10 million to organizations dealing with the loss of life and needs resulting from the terrorist incidents at the World Trade Center, Pentagon and western Pennsylvania. Hundreds of players already have made individual contributions of money and time to local causes. NFL owners and their families also have made individual contributions or have formed non-profit funds to benefit the victims.
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