Host Communications Purchase Pinnacle Sports Productions

Host Communications, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Pinnacle Sports Productions, LLC, a sports marketing firm based in Gretna, NE that holds radio and multi-media rights to the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Pinnacle Sports sells produces and distributes radio broadcasts for <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska sports teams. It also produces a daily statewide radio program on Huskers' sports. Founded by Paul Aaron and Dale Jansen, Pinnacle is involved in marketing Nebraska's coaches' radio and television shows, game programs, and select television game broadcasts and events.

 

"We are very excited to add a top collegiate program like the University of Nebraska to the outstanding list of major universities we represent," said Tom Stultz, president and chief executive officer of Lexington, Ky.-based Host Communications, Inc. and its parent company, Triple Crown Media, Inc.

 

"Nebraska is extremely dominant in its state and region and is recognized as one of the top athletics programs in the nation," Stultz explained. "The passion and appetite for Huskers' sports programming is alive and well 365 days a year."

 

HOST also holds marketing rights at the University of Arizona, FloridaStateUniversity, the University of Kentucky, the University of Michigan, OklahomaStateUniversity, the University of Tennessee, the University of Texas and the Southeastern Conference. In addition, Host manages NCAA Football and sells, produces and distributes all championship souvenir programs for the NCAA.

 

"Host Communications has a long history in college sports," said Steve Pederson, athletic director at the University of Nebraska.  "They are aligned with other top programs and that is significant to us.  We are anxious to begin working with Host to continue to bring great radio broadcasts to our Nebraska fans."

 

In explaining the decision to sell the company, Paul Aaron, president and management member of Pinnacle Sports Productions, LLC said, "We feel selling to HOST makes perfect sense for the University and all Pinnacle employees as well as to the Huskers' incredible fans. HOST has the expertise and resources to take Pinnacle Sports to even higher levels and we are excited they have requested that we work with them as part of the growth and expansion process. The transaction also makes a lot of sense for us from an estate planning standpoint."

 

Stultz said Aaron and Jansen will remain active in the Nebraska property as shareholders in HOST's parent company, Triple Crown Media, Inc. Aaron will also work with HOST in a consulting role. While financial terms were not disclosed, Stultz said the transaction included cash and TCMI restricted stock.

 

Stultz said current Pinnacle General Manager Kevin Moore will continue in that role with HOST. "We feel Kevin will be a great addition to our management team. Not only does he have intimate knowledge of the Nebraska property but he also has extensive experience and connections throughout the collegiate arena from his previous work as head of sports syndication for Clear Channel Radio." Moore has been with Pinnacle since December 2004. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Moore served as vice president and general manager for Clear Channel Sports and president of Paxson Sports. He also served as vice president of sales for the American Network Group.  Stultz said HOST plans to retain all existing Pinnacle employees and talent.

 

About the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska boasts a 23-sport athletic program that competes in the Big 12 Conference. Nebraska athletic programs have won 22 national team championships, including five on the football field. Nebraska also has a history of producing some of the nation’s top collegiate student-athletes, leading the nation with 233 Academic All-Americans.

 

About Host Communicatons, Inc.

Host Communications Inc. has marketing agreements with seven universities as well as the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Football. The Lexington, Ky.-based company also manages five associations, more than 30 Web sites and has a printing and publishing division that produces more than 700 publications annually including all of the NCAA championship game-day programs. Additional information may be found online at www.hostcommunications.com.

 

About Triple Crown Media, Inc.

HOST is a subsidiary of Triple Crown Media, Inc. TCMI owns and operates six daily newspapers with a total daily circulation of approximately 120,000 and owns and operates GrayLink, a wireless communications company based in Tallahassee. TCMI is a public company traded on NASDAQ and based in Lexington, Ky. Additional information may be found online at www.triplecrownmedia.com.