EXHIBIT 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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For Information Contact:
For USA Networks, Inc. For SportsLine.com, Inc.
Adrienne Becker, Corporate Communications (954) 351-2120
(212) 314 7254 Larry Wahl - ext. 7225
Roger Clark, Investor Relations Kathy Bradley - ext. 7519
(212) 314-7400 Alex Reithmiller - ext. 7535
USA Networks Inc. and SportsLine.com, Inc. Enter
Multi-Year E-Commerce Partnership
USA's Electronic Commerce Solutions Named Exclusive
Operator of CBS SportsLine.com's Online Store
SportsLine.com Acquires Certain Assets of MVP.com
NEW YORK and FORT LAUDERDALE (January 29, 2001) - USA Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:
USAI) and SportsLine.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLN), the leading global Internet
sports media company and publisher of CBS SportsLine.com (cbs.sportsline.com),
today announced a multi-year e-commerce partnership under which USA's Electronic
Commerce Solutions (ECS) was named the exclusive operator of CBS
SportsLine.com's online store, Shop SportsLine. Separately, SportsLine.com
announced that it acquired certain assets of MVP.com, Inc., which will also be
included in the e-commerce partnership with ECS.
As part of the agreement, ECS will build and service CBS SportsLine.com's entire
retail infrastructure, planning to re-launch the Shop SportsLine Store by Spring
2001. To support the merchandising efforts of Shop SportsLine, ECS and
SportsLine.com together will create and implement cross-promotion and database
marketing plans focused on driving transactional revenue to the store. These
targeted marketing plans will promote the store throughout USA Networks' media
properties, including cable leaders such as USA Network and SCI FI Channel, and
the Company's unparalleled group of Internet assets including Ticketmaster.com,
Citysearch.com, Match.com, hoteldiscount.com and SCIFI.COM among others.
Styleclick (NASDAQ: IBUY), also a USAi company, will design, build and host the
Shop SportsLine store and will work with ECS to implement technology platforms
that enable reliable e-commerce and online merchandising functionality.
Styleclick serves as the e-commerce enabler for ECS' third party initiatives,
also powering the forthcoming NASCAR online store.
"ECS is a unique business with capabilities ranging from cross-media planning
and sales to commerce services and infrastructure management to Internet
technologies proven to close transactions. USA Networks combines the best
third-party resources for any client interested in tapping our assets and
expertise in areas that can help them grow revenues faster and more reliably
through our partnership," said Lisa Brown, President and CEO, ECS. "As the
premier Internet sports media company, SportsLine.com is an excellent partner to
capitalize on so many of the skills we offer and we are truly pleased to enter
into this relationship with them. SportsLine.com is a perfect complement to our
sports strategy and we look forward to servicing and growing their customer
base."
- more -
USA Networks Inc. and SportsLine.com, Inc. Enter Multi-Year E-Commerce
Partnership
"Consistent with our operating strategy, our overriding goal in developing a new
e-commerce partnership was to continue leveraging our huge audience to ensure
high margin, low risk sponsorship revenue to SportsLine.com," said Michael Levy,
founder and CEO of SportsLine.com, Inc. "USA Networks enables us to accomplish
that goal, while providing SportsLine.com access to a powerful group of
promotional assets, such as Ticketmaster.com which sells millions of dollars
worth of tickets to sporting events annually. Additionally, we feel strongly
that the MVP.com brands and the customer relationships it developed will enhance
our strategic alliance with ECS."
With regard to the MVP.com transaction, SportsLine.com announced that it has
acquired the domain names, trademarks and certain other assets associated with
the Web sites mvp.com, PlanetOutdoors.com, igogolf.com, tennisdirect.com and
golfclubtrader.com. These sites are expected to remain open for business while
operations are being transferred to ECS.
About SportsLine.com, Inc.
SportsLine.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLN) is at the leading edge of media companies
providing Internet sports content, community and e-commerce on a global basis.
SportsLine.com, Inc.'s content includes more than one million pages of
multimedia sports information, entertainment and merchandise. The Company's
flagship Internet sports service (http://cbs.sportsline.com) was renamed CBS
SportsLine.com as part of an exclusive promotional and content agreement with
CBS in March 1997. SportsLine.com, Inc. has strategic relationships with the
NFL, Major League Baseball, the NBA and the PGA TOUR and serves as the primary
sports content provider for America Online and Netscape. In 1999, the Company
commenced operations in Europe through its subsidiary, Sports.com Limited.
About USA's Electronic Commerce Solutions
Tapping into more than twenty years of experience in electronic retailing, USA
Electronic Commerce Solutions serves as an entry point to the diverse
entertainment, information and direct selling capabilities within USA Networks,
Inc. (NASDAQ: USAI). ECS is a division of USA Information and Services, which
also includes Ticketmaster, Ticketmaster Online-Citysearch (NASDAQ: TMCS), Hotel
Reservations Network (NASDAQ: ROOM), Styleclick, Inc. (NASDAQ: IBUY) and
Precision Response Corporation. ECS packages integrated suites of scalable
solutions for third parties by delivering the context, distribution verticals,
merchandising, database marketing, teleservicing, online customer care, and a
uniquely qualified understanding of customers' needs in the age of new
convergence. Since inception, ECS has announced similar partnerships with the
NBA, the NFL and Turner Sports. More at www.usanetworks.com.
Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve
risks and uncertainties. SportsLine.com's actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might
cause or contribute to such differences include, among others, competitive
pressures, the growth rate of the Internet, constantly changing technology and
market acceptance of the company's products and services. Investors are also
directed to consider the other risks and uncertainties discussed in
SportsLine.com's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those
discussed under the caption "Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results" in
SportsLine.com's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. SportsLine.com undertakes no
obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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