AEG To Partner On Academy Development

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CARSON, CALIFORNIA, June 2, 2005-International soccer superstar David Beckham and AEG have formed a partnership to establish The David Beckham Academy beginning in fall 2005 at The Home Depot Center in Southern California, it was announced today at a press conference.   Beckham was joined at AEG's Home Depot Center, located on the campus of Cal. State University Dominguez Hills, by Simon Fuller (\"American Idol\" creator and one of the world's most influential entertainment entrepreneurs) and AEG's President and CEO Tim Leiweke.  The parties previously unveiled plans for a sister Academy on the Greenwich Peninsula in East London beside The O2 where AEG is building an arena and entertainment district.

\"As a young boy I attended the Bobby Charlton Soccer School with dreams of becoming a professional footballer,\" commented Beckham. \"Ever since then, my ambition has been to give children the chances I had and thanks to AEG that dream is now a reality.\"

\"I'm very happy to be working in partnership with AEG to launch The David Beckham Academy. David is a true global sporting hero, an icon for generations of sports fans across the world,\" said Simon Fuller. \"The David Beckham Academy will lay the foundation for many young Americans to learn and be inspired by one of soccer's most respected stars. We are hoping that this venture will continue to grow soccer as a recreational and competitive sport here in the United States. It's been a pleasure to work with AEG in London and Los Angeles and both David and I are extremely excited by what we believe will be achieved at The David Beckham Academy.\"

\"The Home Depot Center has clearly established itself as not only the nation's 'cathedral' of soccer competitions but the home of instruction and training at all levels,\" said Leiweke.  \"Our organization, our facility and most of all the kids who will participate in the instructional sessions will all greatly benefit from the opportunity to partner with the world's best and most famous soccer star.   David's strong commitment to providing the very best tools, training and uniquely developed programming will create an atmosphere second-to-none for the thousands of kids who will pass through The David Beckham Academy,\" Leiweke added.

The David Beckham Academy will be comprised of full size pitches (fields) and a series of buildings featuring state of the art classrooms, training facilities, locker rooms and retail space dedicated to the camp.  Using the latest technology, the Academy will provide a fun and interactive experience for children of all skill levels, unlike anything currently seen in U. S. soccer.

Targeted at all ability levels, The David Beckham Academy in Carson will initially welcome 8-15-year-olds for three day courses that will run twice a week on Monday-Wednesday and Thursday-Saturday, starting on Thanksgiving weekend 2005. Children will have the chance to win a free day at the Academy by registering on the Academy's website. Three hundred young soccer players will then be randomly selected to attend one day of courses during the three day launch weekend, November 25th, 26th, and 27th. Children who attend the Academy will each receive an Adidas soccer pack worth over $200.  Registration information will be available in the coming days at www.thedavidbeckhamacademy.com.

The Academy training program has been developed by David Beckham and one of the most respected youth coaches in the game.  Eric Harrison is director of coaching for the Academy, bringing a wealth of experience to the role as a former youth team coach at Manchester United for 18 years and one of the key men behind the emergence of the crop of United players including David himself, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville. Eric will be guiding a full time Academy coaching staff of men and women, qualified with either UEFA or FA coaching badges.

David Beckham's illustrious career began with his phenomenal success at Manchester United.  He became an international superstar inspiring a hit movie \"Bend It Like Beckham,\" which paid homage to the soccer player in its title.  In 2003, Real Madrid paid a record-breaking transfer fee of $41 million to acquire Beckham. In his latest autobiography, \"Beckham: Both Feet On The Ground,\" his rags to riches story is discussed with career highlights and insight into how he balances super-stardom with his life as a family man.  David and Victoria Beckham have three sons.

The Home Depot Center is southern California's new home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. The $150 million privately financed facility was developed and is operated by AEG on a 125 acre site on the campus of California State Dominguez Hills in Carson, California, The Home Depot Center features a 13,000 seat stadium for tennis, a 27,000 seat stadium for soccer, rugby, lacrosse & other athletic
competitions and outdoor concerts, a 20,000 seat facility for track & field, the ADT Event Center, a 3500-seat indoor velodrome and other facilities for softball, baseball, beach volleyball, basketball and other sports.

Named an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site, The Home Depot Center is also the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation.  The \"complex, \" which is also the home of the nationally recognized Athletes Performance training center for elite and professional athletes has additionally be designated \"official\" training sites for USA Cycling, United States Track & Field and the USTA.

AEG: Anschutz Entertainment Group is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, it owns or operates some of the world's best arenas and theatres and a collection of companies dedicated to producing, promoting and presenting world-class live entertainment.  The Home Depot Center and STAPLES Center are two of AEG's Southern California properties.  The organization is currently developing The O2, a 23,000 indoor arena located within London's Millennium Dome as well as an adjacent sports and entertainment district that will also include The David Beckham Academy's initial location.    

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Media contacts:

AEG:   Michael Roth
   (213) 742-7155
   mroth@aeg-la.com

David Beckham: Paul Bloch/Michelle Bega
Rogers & Cowan
(310) 854-8103

Simon Oliveira  
+44 (0) 7775 740 419 simon.oliveira@footworkproductions.com