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LOS ANGELES – Tennis Channel has appointed longtime sports and entertainment marketing executive Steve Disson to the newly created position of head of new business development, sponsorships. He will be based in Washington, D.C., and the network’s New York office, and report directly to Allison Bodenmann, senior vice president, head of ad sales. Disson will also work closely with Ken Solomon, president; Bill Simon, chief operating officer and chief financial officer; and Doug Martz, senior vice president, integrated partnerships.

Disson will use his vast experience in television sales, event marketing and sports sponsorship to generate innovative partnerships for Tennis Channel and its advertisers. Throughout his career he has negotiated more than $100 million in sponsorships on behalf of clients in the sports, arts and entertainment industries.

“Steve’s unique background and deep corporate-sponsor relationships make him the perfect addition at a time when Tennis Channel is the fastest-growing network in America,” said Solomon. “Our media brand is more visible than ever, with an almost doubled subscriber base this year and a wider reach through (parent company) Sinclair’s acquisition of Tennis magazine and Tennis.com this spring. We’re excited about Steve coming aboard and translating this increased awareness into new revenue opportunities.”

For nearly three decades Disson has been integral to the world of professional figure skating. He most recently served as CEO of Disson Sports & Entertainment. In this role he created and produced numerous skating specials for network television. Before this he was CEO of Disson Skating and Consulting; Disson Furst & Partners; and D&F Group. His firms created and produced skating events and developed sponsorship packages for a variety of corporate clients. Disson began his career at ProServ in 1976, where he headed all marketing and special events.

About Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI)

Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. Pro forma for the Tribune acquisition (before any related divestitures) and all previously announced pending transactions, the Company will own, operate and/or provide services to 233 television stations in 108 markets. The Company has multiple emerging networks as well as being affiliated with all the major networks. Sinclair is a leading local news provider in the country and a producer of live sports content. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at sbgi.net.