BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 14, 2008--Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, Inc., announced today a donation of $500,000 to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Louisiana's Slidell Unit, to help build a new athletic gymnasium. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan and All-Stars Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul joined more than 250 community leaders and New Orleans-area youth for the official dedication and check presentation ceremony. The donation will go towards the construction of a state-of-the-art gymnasium named after Jordan Brand complete with a professional basketball court, scoreboard and bleachers to be used by the kids of the Boys & Girls Club and other related community events.

"On behalf of the people of Slidell and the parish of St. Tammany Parish, we'd like to thank the Jordan Brand for their generous contribution," said Johnny DiBartolo, president, Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Louisiana. "With significant donations from partners like Jordan Brand, we are confident that the Slidell Boys and Girls Club will help our children continue to grow, learn, develop and improve their lives and surroundings."

The Slidell Boys & Girls Club was one of 16 Gulf region Boys & Girls Clubs damaged in Hurricane Katrina. The location was completely gutted and the facilities were in ruins. The rebuilding of the facility serves as a testament to the dedication of many contributions and countless volunteer hours to restore it in honor of the Boys & Girls Club. The Jordan Brand gymnasium will serve as a brick-and-mortar reminder of the contributions and volunteer hours spent rebuilding the facility that has helped and will continue improve the lives of children and families of Slidell.

"The Boys and Girls Clubs of America has been a visible contributor to the families and children of New Orleans, during and post Hurricane Katrina," said Michael Jordan. "Slidell is a community that has been somewhat overlooked in recovery efforts and we are proud to aid with its rebuilding and leave a lasting legacy for the community."

Michael Jordan and some Team Jordan athletes have a special connection to the Boys and Girls Club of America as some were once members and now continue to be involved with the organization in their respective hometowns and communities. Jordan Brand believes that physical activity plays a vital role in building character in youth, and the donation is dedicated to the children of the greater New Orleans area to inspire them to commit themselves to hard work in life and athletics in order to achieve their dreamed goals.

In 2006, Jordan Brand donated $450,000 to Habitat for Humanity to aid in the rebuilding efforts in Louisiana. By auctioning off 21 pairs of Michael Jordan autographed AIR JORDAN shoes to raise the funds, the money helped rebuild homes in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.

About Jordan Brand


A division of NIKE, Inc., Jordan Brand is a premium brand of footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the dynamic legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan. The Jordan Brand made its debut in 1997 and has grown into a complete collection of performance and lifestyle products for both men and women. The Jordan Brand remains active in the community by donating a portion of its proceeds to Jordan Fundamentals, an education grants program for teachers.

For more information on the Jordan Brand, visit www.Jumpman23.com.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) comprises a national network of more than 4,000 neighborhood-based facilities, with 4.8 million youth served through Club membership and community outreach, in all 50 states and on U.S. military bases worldwide. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," Clubs provide guidance-oriented character development programs on a daily basis for children 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff. Key Boys & Girls Club programs emphasize leadership development, education and career exploration, financial literacy, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation, and family outreach. An estimated 30 million American youth have been served by Boys & Girls Clubs since the founding of BGCA in 1906. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.
For more information on the Slidell Boys & Girls Club, visit http://www.bgcsela.org/.

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http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5611738

CONTACT: Jordan Brand
Terri Hines, 503-532-5862, Terri.Hines@NIKE.com or
BNC
Jim Redner, 323-217-4314, jredner@bcncpr.com

SOURCE: Jordan Brand