CLEVELAND, Ohio, February 5, 2003 – Pete Sampras, arguably the best male tennis player in history, has returned to IMG for marketing and management as Pete begins the transition from his legendary on-court accomplishments to new business and personal opportunities.

Bob Kain, IMG North America President and COO, who has been a close advisor to Pete since 1988 when Sampras turned pro at 16, will oversee Sampras business opportunities.

‘As I begin to transition to a non-tennis-playing career, IMG has the resources available to maximize my career opportunities,’ Sampras says. ‘Bob and I have always had a great relationship, and it’s time for me to capitalize on IMG’s expertise and experience at this important point in my life,’ he adds.

Sampras, who has won an unprecedented 14 Grand Slam Men’s Singles Titles, has a total of 64 singles victories and has won more than 760 matches. He was the world’s top-ranked player during most of the 1990s. Most recently, he won the U.S. Open in 2002 at age 31, his fifth U.S. Open singles title. (His first, in 1990, made him the youngest-ever men’s champion.) His other Grand Slam titles include seven singles titles at Wimbledon and two victories at the Australian Open.

Known also for his pioneering charity work on and off the court, Sampras is one of the most-popular athletes in the world and a long-time crowd favorite. He and his wife, actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, have a son, Christian Charles, born in November, 2002. They live in Los Angeles.

‘I’ve always been close to Pete, and I am delighted he’s back,’ Kain adds. ‘Pete is only 31, and he has so many opportunities and choices ahead. We’re glad to be part of the team that will help direct the next stages in this legend’s life.’

Neither Sampras nor Kain said when Sampras might be retiring, but Kain said that IMG would certainly be involved in planning some type of ‘farewell’ tour at the appropriate time.

IMG was founded by Mark H. McCormack in the early 1960s. The company is the world’s premier sports management and marketing agency, with an international staff of more than 2,500 in more than 80 offices in 32 countries.

IMG’s clients include Tiger Woods, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Derek Jeter, Peyton Manning, Vince Cartber, Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Fedorov, Jennifer Capriati, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, Monica Seles, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Joe Montana, Jeff Gordon, Scott Hamilton, John Madden, and Bob Costas.

For more details contact:

Linda Dozoretz/Carla Schalman
For IMG
(323) 656-4499
pr@ldcomm.com