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Rotary, Kiwanis and Sacramento Monarchs Win 2007 WNBA Court of Dreams Contest

July 24, 2007 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Sacramento Monarchs News Release


Sacramento, CALIF., July 24, 2007 - The WNBA and the Sacramento Monarchs turned another dream into reality today as they announced the winner of the league-wide 2007 "Court of Dreams" contest.

Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, in partnership with the Sacramento Monarchs, Wells Fargo and Oak Ridge Elementary School, have won their third consecutive "Court of Dreams" for Sacramento.

"Court of Dreams" is an annual WNBA promotional campaign involving community groups from each of the 13 WNBA team markets competing to sell the most tickets for local WNBA games through the program period. Winners of the contest have the opportunity to select one of three prizes: a WNBA-identified basketball court, a Reading and Learning center or $10,000 cash. Oak Ridge Elementary School has chosen to receive a Reading and Learning Center.

"The commitment and passion our fans have for the WNBA and for the well-being of youth in their respective communities is revealed each year through the Court of Dreams program," said Donna Orender, WNBA President. "On behalf of the WNBA I want to express our gratitude to the Sacramento Rotary, the Kiwanis clubs and Wells Fargo whose hard work, dedication and joint effort have once again earned this great opportunity for Sacramento-area youngsters."

Northern California area Rotary Clubs, local Kiwanis Clubs and the Sacramento Monarchs won an official regulation WNBA basketball court for the YMCA of Greater Sacramento upon winning the 2006 WNBA "Court of Dreams" promotion. In 2005, though the Washington Mystics won the national promotion by two tickets, Joe and Gavin Maloof stepped up to show their appreciation to the Rotary and Kiwanis group's exceptional effort and results by building a new basketball court for the Children's Receiving Home, a shelter for abused and neglected children in Sacramento County.

"Even though Rotary and Kiwanis' combined efforts to win the contest fell short in 2005, Joe and Gavin Maloof appreciated our efforts, and saw the need, and generously built a basketball court for the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home," said Doug Kraft, Co-Chair, Sacramento Court of Dreams, Rotary District 5180. "Since building the court for the Sacramento Children's Receiving Home, we have teamed with the Monarchs and the Kiwanis to win a basketball court for the YMCA of Greater Sacramento, and now this Reading and Learning Center for Oak Ridge Elementary School. The Rotarians in Rotary District 5180 are proud of our accomplishments and our efforts with the Monarchs and Kiwanis."

Added Gary Christensen, Kiwanis New Build Project Manager and Co-Chair, Sacramento Court of Dreams, "The partnership between local Kiwanis Clubs, Northern California area Rotary Clubs and the Sacramento Monarchs has proven successful once again. We have earned two basketball courts and a Reading and Learning center for the Sacramento community, brought thousands of deserving children and their families to a Sacramento Monarchs game through donated tickets and raised thousands of dollars for the Kiwanis Family House and Polio Plus."

"The children of Oak Ridge Elementary School have been given an invaluable gift for their future," said Steve Lewis, Principal of Oak Ridge Elementary School. "This Reading and Learning Center is a resource these kids would not have had without the efforts of these four groups. Thank you to Rotary, Kiwanis, Wells Fargo and the Sacramento Monarchs for all you have done to make this happen."

"This is the third consecutive season we have teamed up with Rotary and Kiwanis to win a "Court of Dreams" for the Sacramento community," said Danette Leighton, Vice President of Monarchs Business Operations. "We'd like to thank the Northern California area Rotary Clubs, local Kiwanis Clubs and Wells Fargo for making three consecutive "Court of Dreams" a reality.

About Rotary International

Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 167 countries. Rotary District 5180 serves the Sacramento area from Oroville and Gridley in the North to Elk Grove and Walnut Grove in the South, from West Sacramento to El Dorado Hills in the East with approximately 2,100 Rotarians participating in 37 clubs. To learn about Rotary International visit http://www.rotary.org/.

About Kiwanis Family House

Kiwanis Family House is dedicated to providing temporary housing and support to families of seriously ill or injured children being treated at the UC Davis Medical Center. For more information about Kiwanis Family House, please visit www.kiwanisfamilyhouse.org.

About Maloof Sports and Entertainment:

Maloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings (NBA), Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) and ARCO Arena. Led by Joe and Gavin Maloof and owned by the Maloof family with a group of long-term partners, the organization is committed to the community in Sacramento and to making a positive, meaningful difference in the lives of families in need and at risk in the Sacramento region. For more information about Maloof Sports & Entertainment, please visit kings.com, sacramentomonarchs.com and arcoarena.com or call 916-928-0000.

About Wells Fargo:

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $540 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through almost 6,000 stores and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest credit rating from both Moody's Investors Service, "Aaa," and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, "AAA."

About the WNBA

The WNBA tipped off its second decade of play on May 19, 2007, featuring comprehensive national television coverage. ESPN2 and ABC will combine to televise up to 36 games nationally during the 2007 regular season and playoffs. The second straight year of "WNBA Tuesdays" on ESPN2 includes five doubleheaders and WNBA action on 11 of 14 Tuesday nights in-season. NBA TV will complement ABC and ESPN2's coverage by televising 70 regular-season and up to nine playoff games. On July 15, the WNBA reached a major milestone, announcing an eight-year agreement with ESPN to have ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 televise games through the 2016 season. The agreement extends the WNBA's relationship with ESPN, which began with the league's inaugural season in 1997, to 20 seasons.



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