GAYLORD HOTELS MUSIC CITY BOWL PRESENTED BY BRIDGESTONE GENERATES $16.8 MILLION FOR LOCAL ECONOMY

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (April 26, 2005) ? Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Presented By Bridgestone representatives announced today that the 2004 event generated a record $16.8 million impact on the local economy. This year?s game will take place Friday, December 30 at 11 a.m. CST at the Coliseum, Nashville, Tenn., and will be televised live on ESPN. The Bowl had 66,089 fans in attendance ? an attendance record. Additionally, the Bowl sold 20,461 tickets prior to the announcement of the participating teams, another all-time high. ?The record attendance at the Coliseum, the economic impact in Nashville, and the outstanding television ratings nationally clearly demonstrate that this is more than just a game, it?s now an exciting New Year?s tradition for Nashville and the South,? said Jay D. Sevigny, chief operating officer, Gaylord Hotels. ?As the Bowl?s title sponsor, Gaylord Hotels is proud to contribute to making Nashville such a popular destination for the holidays.? ?As the presenting sponsor, it?s gratifying to see the Bowl grow in stature as a premier event for the city of Nashville,? said Christine Karbowiak, vice-president public affairs, Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc. ?Each year the excitement surrounding the game has intensified?the game was close to a sell-out this past year, downtown continues to be buzzing during Bowl Week and television viewership continues to improve. All of this is great for the city and excellent exposure for our Bridgestone brand.? Media coverage of the 2004 event also substantially increased. The Bowl?s national television ratings grew 29%, producing a 3.14 household rating on ESPN. The rating translates to roughly 6.9 million viewers during the Bowl?s 3 hour 30 minute national broadcast. Through its national radio network, Nevada Sports Radio Network, and participating team affiliates, the Bowl had over 200 radio stations around the country broadcast the game. Over 300 credentialed media attended and covered the event. Another measure of the Bowl?s success and increasing national prominence is the 22% increase in the Bowl?s financial payout to the participating teams, according to Scott Ramsey, Bowl executive director. The Bowl distributed $1,110,125 each to the University of Minnesota and University of Alabama, an all-time high for the Bowl. The Bowl also made strides toward its goal of increasing community ownership in the event by engaging the local community. Over 1,000 fans attended the Coaches Luncheon at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and more than 10,000 fans attended the Battle of the Bands/MusicFest downtown on Second Avenue. Additionally, the Bowl donated more than $25,000 to member leagues of its Youth Football Program, as well as over $8,700 to youth football teams, high school booster clubs, charities and non-profit civic organizations through its fundraising program. More than 4,000 game tickets were distributed to member leagues of its Youth Football Program and other local non-profit organizations through the generous corporate support of more than 25 local companies (including 1,000 tickets underwritten by HCA). The Bowl utilizes the Nashville Sports Council?s nationally recognized Scorecard report to measure the impact and effectiveness of sporting events on the local economy. The Scorecard, developed in partnership with Belmont University, measures economic impact, media exposure, and community involvement based on ratings from participants, spectators, volunteers and media. For more information call the Bowl office at (615) 743-3130 or visit the Bowl online at www.MusicCityBowl.com. SUMMARY of 2003 vs. 2004 KEY RESULTS Friday, Dec. 31, 2003 11:00 a.m. CST Wisconsin vs. Auburn Friday, Dec. 31, 2004 11:00 a.m. CST Alabama vs. Minnesota Percentage (+/-) Economic Impact (2003)$14,687,400 (2004)$16,800,908 14%+ Attendance (2003)55,109 (2004)66,089 20%+ National Television Rating (2003)2.44 (2004)3.14 29%+ Payout per team (2003)$912,912 (2004)$1,110,125 22%+ About the Bowl: The Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Presented By Bridgestone (501 c-3 not-for-profit) is an annual post-season collegiate bowl game featuring the Southeastern (SEC) and BIG TEN Conferences. The 2004 game was played Friday, December 31 at 11:00 a.m. at the Coliseum. Broadcast nationally to millions of viewers and listeners on ESPN and Nevada Sports Radio Network, the Bowl is Nashville?s Holiday Tradition. For more information, please call the Bowl office at 615-743-3130 or visit the Bowl online at www.MusicCityBowl.com.