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CHICAGO TO HOST McDONALD’S ALL AMERICAN® BASKETBALL GAMES THROUGH 2015

McDonald’s®, United Center ink deal to keep prestigious high school all-star games in Windy City for five consecutive years

OAK BROOK, Ill. (Oct. 24, 2012) – The McDonald’s All American Games will stay in Chicago through 2015. After Windy City fans shattered the event’s attendance record in 2011, and returned in-force for the 2012 Games, McDonald’s and the United Center agreed to a two-year contract extension, including an option to renew in 2016.

“This is a historic day for the McDonald’s All American Games,” said Douglas Freeland, director of the McDonald’s All American Games. “Fans throughout the U.S. can now make Chicago their ‘destination’ to see the greatest high school basketball players participate in this annual rite of passage.”

The 2013 McDonald’s All American Games will tip-off on Wed., April 3 at the United Center. Game times and ticket information will be available by early 2013, and will be shared on http://www.mcdaag.com.

“An invitation to the McDonald’s All American Games is what every prep basketball player dreams about,” said Jay Williams, 1999 McDonald’s All American and current ESPN analyst. “I’ve had the pleasure to both play in this game and call it on ESPN. There simply isn’t another all-star event like the McDonald’s All American Games, and there isn’t a better city for it than Chicago.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). The 2012 McDonald’s All American Games raised $650,000, the third-highest total in the event’s 35-year history. Funds from the 2011 and 2012 McDonald’s All American Games helped build the nation’s largest Ronald McDonald House® in downtown Chicago, which opened its doors in June 2012.

“I am delighted the McDonald’s All American Games will continue to call Chicago home,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “These games have been a springboard for countless young men and women to outstanding athletic careers, while raising money for charity and instilling a spirit of scholarship, character and citizenship both on and off the court.”

Chicago, Illinois McDonald’s All American Stats

· Illinois has produced 74 McDonald’s All Americans (60 boys, 14 girls), ranking third behind only California (123) and New York (84).

· Among repeat McDonald’s All American host cities, Chicago ranks first in average attendance with 17,388 (years included: ’82, ’11, ‘12), followed by Philadelphia with 11,610 (’78, ‘87), Atlanta with 11,293 (’83, ’92), and New York with 11,257 (’94, ’02).

· Illinois has produced three former number one NBA draft picks, and one number one WNBA draft pick, who participated in the McDonald’s All American Games, including: Mark Aguirre (1978 McDonald’s All American), Candace Parker (2004), Derrick Rose (2007) and Anthony Davis (2011).

RMHC by the Numbers

· The Games have helped raise more than $10 million for RMHC Chapters in the U.S. since the Games inception in 1978.

· Over the past two years, the Chicago Games generated nearly $1.3 million in proceeds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI).

· The nation’s largest Ronald McDonald House® in Chicago boasts 14 stories and 86 guest rooms, and will provide over 31,000 family nights, saving families more than $7 million in hotel costs.

· Every year, through its family-centered programs, like the Ronald McDonald House, RMHC provides stability and vital resources to more than 4.5 million children and families around the world.

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