IRL and Reebok announce new partnership.

The Indy Racing League and Reebok International Ltd have formed a multiyear partnership naming Reebok the Official Outfitter of the Indy Racing League.

As part of the agreement, Reebok will provide custom-designed, co-branded Reebok-Indy Racing League apparel to IRL officials and selected teams. The Reebok brand also will receive exposure through logos on race cars, team uniforms, transporters and other IRL promotional programs included in the promotional rights agreement.

Reebok-Indy Racing League co-branded merchandise will be sold at all 15 Indy Racing League events in 2002, including the Indianapolis 500, and also at all other events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Authentic co-branded Reebok-Indy Racing League merchandise will be available at all IRL events, via online, mail-order catalog and through select retail outlets.

The addition of the Indy Racing League enhances Reebok's impressive lineup of official supplier agreements, which includes the National Football League, the National Basketball Association, the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League - the NBA's fledgling minor league.

"I am very excited to have this opportunity to partner with the Indy Racing League," said Paul Fireman, chairman and CEO of Reebok International Ltd. "Auto racing continues to be one of the most popular and exciting spectator sports in our society. This partnership will further drive Reebok's growing sports licensing business as well as elevate the cachet of the IRL brand, both on and off the racetrack."

This partnership delivers exposure to Reebok at the three largest sporting events in the world, in the three premier categories of worldwide motorsports and to the growing Indy Racing League fan base throughout the country.

"We're happy to welcome Reebok as an official supplier and look forward to working with them in this exciting partnership," said Tony George, Indy Racing League president and CEO. "This agreement between Reebok and the Indy Racing League further enhances the growth and prestige of America's premier open-wheel, oval-track racing series."

The reigning Indy Racing championship team, Panther Racing, and the 2000 Indy Racing championship team, Hemelgarn Racing, will sport the Reebok logo in 2002. Reebok expects to announce one more team before the start of the season.

The Indy Racing League is America's premier open-wheel, oval-track auto racing series, with headquarters in Indianapolis. It was founded in 1994 based on the rich traditions of the Indianapolis 500, with its first race in 1996. The league has a 15-race schedule in 2002, with events in major markets from coast to coast.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world's greatest racecourse. It is the home of three of the largest single-day spectator sporting events in the world, the Indianapolis 500, the NASCAR Winston Cup Brickyard 400 and the Formula One SAP United States Grand Prix.

Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, Mass., is a leading worldwide designer, distributor and marketer of athletic, fitness and casual footwear, apparel and equipment. Principal operating units include the Reebok Division, The Rockport Company, Ralph Lauren Footwear and Greg Norman Collection. Sales for 2001 totaled approximately $3 billion.