ITEM ONE:

NFL EUROPE LEAGUE VETERANS ADORN NFL ROSTERS

NFL rosters will have a distinctly European feel this season, as 191 players with NFL Europe League experience are under contract to NFL clubs.  Twenty-three Europe League veteran quarterbacks – approximately 25 percent of all NFL quarterbacks – will suit up this weekend, including starters JAY FIEDLER (Miami, Amsterdam ‘97), JON KITNA (Cincinnati, Barcelona ‘97), BRAD JOHNSON (Tampa Bay, London ‘95) and KURT WARNER (St. Louis, Amsterdam ’98).  Johnson begins his career with the Buccaneers after joining the team as a free agent in the offseason.  He first had a chance to prove himself as a professional in 1995 with the London Monarchs.  "Going to Europe was about the chance to step up and take snaps and experience playing in a game situation," he said. "It was a great experience and led to me playing in Minnesota.  My playing in Europe was one of the best steps forward that I have taken in my career."

ITEM TWO:

NFL PROGRAMMING TO REACH RECORD 205 COUNTRIES

As the popularity of American football around the world continues to grow, a record 205countries and territories in virtually every corner of the globe will receive NFL programming – approximately 77,962 hours’ worth – during the 2001 season.  NFL programming will stretch across 24 time zones and be broadcast in 32 languages by 77 media partners.  In the past nine months, 20 international media partners have either signed new contracts or renewed existing agreements with the league – including, for the first time, Bosnia, Gibraltar, Malta, Montenegro, San Marino, and Serbia.  The NFL’s international media partners will not only be airing games this season, but they also will carry NFL Films-produced magazine programs and archive footage, and NFL entertainment specials.  Fourteen broadcast partners will also create their own local weekly programs.  “Our programming is designed to educate and entertain fans outside the United States,” said DOUG QUINN, NFL International Senior Vice President and Managing Director.  “Whether it’s exciting game action or programs that take an inside look at the sport and its stars, both on and off the field, millions of fans will have the opportunity to experience the NFL on television this season.”

ITEM THREE:

NFL, ESPN INTERNATIONAL EXTEND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

The National Football League and ESPN International have agreed to extend their existing worldwide distribution agreement through the 2002 season.   The present agreement grants ESPN International exclusive rights to televise the NFL’s primetime schedule of 35 regular-season Sunday night and Monday night games, in addition to several preseason and postseason games, to more than 110 countries and territories around the world.  The 2001-2002 schedule on ESPN International will air in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.