First Superdome game since Hurricane Katrina attracts betting interest
Monday 25th September 2006
VANCOUVER, BC, September 22, 2006 --- Citadel Commerce Corp, a leading e-commerce payment solutions provider and wholly owned subsidiary of ESI Entertainment Systems (TSX:ESY), announced today that it has purchased thirty limited edition baseballs signed by Pete Rose with the statement “I’m sorry I bet on baseball” from Robert Edward Auctions in New Jersey.
Pete Rose is baseball's 'Hit King,' the Major Leagues' all-time leader in career hits, but some fans consider his off-the-field actions a black mark on the sport. Major League Baseball's investigations into Rose's gambling led to his lifetime banishment from the game, which, in turn, has barred him from otherwise certain induction into the Hall of Fame.
In 2004, the year that Rose admitted to betting on baseball, it is reported that he signed 303 baseballs with the “I’m sorry I bet on baseball” message. Rose then gave away the baseballs to his closet friends. Barry Halper, renowned sports memorabilia collector and part owner of the New York Yankees, was given 30 of the autographed balls. When Halper passed away his estate hired Robert Edward Auctions to liquidate his remaining memorabilia collection. The 30 balls were unexpectedly discovered and were recently scheduled to be auctioned.
Michael Meeks, President of Citadel Commerce stated, “These baseballs are a piece of sports history, and as Mr. Rose was not paid to sign them, we think it only appropriate to respect his original intent by giving away the baseballs as incentives to consumers that utilize myCitadel.com for payment of their on-line Internet purchases.”
About ESI Entertainment Systems Inc.
ESI Entertainment Systems Inc. is a public company traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ESY). Its wholly owned subsidiary, Citadel Commerce Corp., is a leading provider of secure and efficient payment processing services to the international on-line gaming industry.
Forward- looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning ESI Entertainment Systems Inc, which statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expect” or “proposed”, or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and the actual events or results could be materially different than those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors discussed more fully in the Company’s Annual Information Form and elsewhere. These risks include risks related to revenue growth, operating results, industry and products, technology, financing, competition, personnel and other factors affecting the Company and its business, any of which could cause actual events or results to vary materially from ESI’s anticipated future results. Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, opinions and expectations of ESI’s management at the time they are made, and ESI does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances should change. The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for this press release.
