KSL Television Becomes Official Supplier Of 2002 Games Announcement Made During "Stadium Of Fire" Independence Day Celebration

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The Olympic Properties of the United States (OPUS) announced on Saturday that KSL Television, the Salt Lake City-based NBC affiliate, will become an official supplier of the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the U.S. Olympic Team. KSL signed an agreement with OPUS, the joint marketing effort between the Salt Lake Organizing Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

KSL Television (Channel 5) and Radio (1160 AM) will be designated as Utah's television and radio stations for the 2002 Games, providing air time and production services. KSL will have access to Salt Lake 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games marks, designations, symbols and imagery for use in conjunction with business activities.

"KSL Television is proud to offer the kind of support that will help Utah host an outstanding Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2002," said Steven Lindsley, President and General Manager of KSL Television Channel 5. "As an affiliate of NBC, we already have rights to carry our network's exclusive Olympic coverage. But in this role, KSL Television now has the opportunity to enhance the community's Olympic experience."

"KSL Television has a long history of service to our community," Lindsley said. "Our affiliation with the 2002 Games extends that tradition in two major ways. We are offering financial support to help make the Games possible on the level that will make every Utahn proud. We are also dedicated to providing an unrivaled quality of local coverage to this worldwide sporting event, making every Utahn an eyewitness to the Games."

"It's a natural fit for us," said Richard Mecham, Vice President and General Manager of KSL Radio. "As an affiliate of Westwood One, we are already assured of Olympic programming, but this partnership with the 2002 Games and our sister television station makes complete sense for KSL Radio and the listeners we serve."

"We are excited to have a broadcast partner with the caliber of KSL Television offering its support of the 2002 Games," said SLOC President and CEO Mitt Romney. "Channel 5 has been an icon in this community for decades, and we are confident that KSL's coverage will add substantially to Utahns' enjoyment of the Games. If someone is not watching the events in person, then the best seat in the house is certainly through KSL Television."

KSL Television made the announcement on July 3 before tens of thousands of spectators at the "Stadium of Fire" Independence Day celebration held in Cougar Stadium on the campus of Brigham Young University. Romney and two 1998 Olympic gold medalists Picabo Street and Nikki Stone joined Lindsley, Eyewitness News anchors Dick Nourse and Ruth Todd, and Newsradio's Grant Nielsen and Amanda Dickson for the announcement.

KSL Television becomes the fourth OPUS supplier for the 2002 Games, joining Drake Beam Morin, Inc. (career transition services), O.C. Tanner Company (victory and commemorative medals) and Questar Corporation (natural gas). OPUS suppliers are both Utah-based and national companies who are providing SLOC with specific goods and services necessary for the staging of the Games.

Four Utah-based companies have now announced their support as either sponsors or suppliers for the 2002 Games during the tenure of SLOC President Romney. On May 15, 1999, Marker Ltd., became the 13th OPUS sponsor as the official outfitter for the 2002 Games. KSL Television, O.C. Tanner and Questar have joined the corporate team as suppliers. Additionally, Intermountain Health Care is the medical provider for the Games.