LOS ANGELES (March 9, 2006) - Doug Hamilton, President & General Manager of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and Chief Operating Officer, AEG Sports passed away earlier this evening after an apparent heart attack it has been confirmed by an AEG spokesman.  (AEG is investor-operator of the Los Angeles Galaxy).

Hamilton, 43, was returning to Los Angeles from Costa Rica where the Galaxy had played Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday.  He was aboard a Lacsa Airlines flight which took off from San Jose Airport Thursday evening.  One of the Galaxy's team doctors, flying with Hamilton, unsuccessfully attempted to resuscitate him as the pilot returned the plane to San Jose (Costa Rica).

\"Soccer in America, the Los Angeles Galaxy and AEG has lost an extremely bright young man and a good friend tonight,\" said Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG.  \"Doug's tireless and valuable efforts have helped to create a legacy for soccer in the United States.  Thru the tremendous guidance and expertise he has provided to the MLS, to the players and executives in our league, to the millions of soccer fans and to every child who kicks a ball,  the sport of soccer owes a great deal of gratitude to Doug.  Our heartfelt thoughts go to his wife Paige and their son Aedan who have lost a tremendous husband, father and man who will truly be missed by all of us who knew him,\" Leiweke added.

The Galaxy, who had planned to remain in Costa Rica thru Monday to continue training for the upcoming MLS season will now return to Los Angeles Friday evening.

\"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the leaders of American soccer and a truly terrific individual,\" said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. \"The thoughts and prayers of all of MLS, our teams, our players and our fans are with the Hamilton family.  Doug will be dearly missed as his legacy of passion and dedication to the sport will always be remembered.\"

Under Hamilton's direction, the club reached unprecedented heights both on and off the field, highlighted by capturing their first \"Domestic Double\" in club history winning the 2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and MLS Cup championships. In each of Hamilton's four seasons, the club qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs - the crown jewel among those appearances winning the MLS Cup twice (2002 and 2005).

A three-time MLS Executive of the Year recipient, Hamilton joined the Galaxy in January 2002 after serving as the Miami Fusion's (MLS) Executive Vice President & General Manager.  Prior to his respected career as an MLS executive, he worked for adidas America for six years, where he held posts as Director of Sports Marketing Latin America after successfully serving as Business Unit Manager of soccer as well as basketball.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Hamilton holds a B.A. in Physical Education. He is survived by his wife Paige and their son Aedan.

Funeral plans are pending and will be announced at a later date.

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Contacts

AEG
Michael Roth
Vice President, Communications 
(213) 742-7155

Galaxy
Patrick Donnelly
Director of Communications
(310) 630-2214