Zug, Switzerland, 2 September 2010 – The Red Bulls Salute, the final tournament of the new European Trophy, is drawing strong international media interest. Infront Sports & Media – the agency appointed by Red Bull Media House, the media rights distribution arm of Red Bull, to market the world wide rights (except for Austria) for the tournament until the 2012 season - has already signed a core group of European broadcasters in countries passionate about ice hockey to cover the event. After the preliminary round, which ended on Saturday, the eight qualified clubs are now identified, further boosting interest from broadcasters in their home countries.

The European Trophy - a carry-forward from the earlier Nordic Trophy – has been transformed to a pre-season, invitational event for 18 top clubs from seven European countries. The Red Bulls Salute, already in existence, has been combined with the new tournament, in order to create an exciting eight-team grand final, which is expected to attract the attention of ice hockey fans across Europe from 3 - 5 September 2010. The teams of Eisbären Berlin, Färjestads BK, HV71, Jokerit, Oulun Kärpät, SC Bern, TPS Turku and Red Bull Salzburg have passed the preliminary round from 11 to 28 August and are therefore qualified for the Red Bulls Salute.

Strong broadcaster interest
For the 2010 edition of the tournament, agreements have already been reached with broadcasters covering 13 territories: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, Switzerland and Germany. In most cases, all or the majority of the eight games of the Red Bulls Salute will be broadcast live and/or delayed.

Broadcasters will benefit from a high-quality international feed which will be produced for all eight games by Red Bull Media House using a minimum of 10 cameras per game. Face-off times are scheduled for 5:30 and 8:45pm (CET).

Bruno Marty, Infront’s Executive Director Winter Sports said: “With our involvement in the Red Bulls Salute, we have successfully extended our involvment in European ice hockey. We believe in the potential of European club ice hockey and are pleased to be part of the biggest pre-season competition in the region.”

About the European Trophy and the Red Bulls Salute
In the last five years the Red Bulls Salute has gained international recognition, bringing top teams from all over the world to Austria. By creating competition, the tournament has helped to take team development in Europe to a higher level. The integration of the extended Nordic Trophy and the Red Bulls Salute into one tournament is now the logical next step in this development and will enhance the impact of the joint event.

With clubs from leading European hockey markets like Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Norway participating, the European Trophy’s line-up was truly impressive. The 18 participating teams, in two divisions, have played the preliminary round from 11 - 28 August 2010. The best four teams from each group have qualified for the Red Bulls Salute in Salzburg and Zell am See (Austria) from 3 - 5 September 2010.

Infront – leading in winter sports
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years and is today one of the leading international sports marketing agencies in the world. The company employs more than 500 employees across 24 offices in 10 countries and enjoys long-lasting partnerships with around 130 rights holders and hundreds of commercial partners.

In recent years, Infront has focused strongly on developing its role in winter sports, to the point that it now represents six of seven Olympic winter sport federations at international level. This includes a long-term partnership with the IIHF in world ice hockey and a major role in international skiing, where it manages more than 90% of the media and/or marketing rights to FIS World Cup events. Partnerships with the FIBT for bobsleigh and skeleton, FIL for luge, the IBU for biathlon and the WCF for curling complete Infront’s winter sports portfolio. As a result Infront is able to offer the very best winter sports opportunities from one central source.

For further information, please contact:

Jörg Polzer
Associate Director, Communication & PR
Infront Sports & Media AG
Tel. +41-41-723 15 15
Fax +41-41-723 15 16
press infrontsports.com
www.infrontsports.com

Guido Stapelfeldt
Press Officer
EC Red Bull Salzburg
phone: +43-664 326 7817
fax: +43-662 629 656 4380
www.redbulls.com
www.redbullssalute.com