FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Louisville Has Been Selected as Host City for the 2007 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game®

30th Annual Boys Game and 6th Annual Girls Game To Be Played at Freedom Hall

March 8, 2006, Louisville, KY. - The rich heritage of basketball in Kentucky has brought about an announcement sure to have true Cats and Cards fans cheering united.

McDonald's Corporation announced today that the 2007 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Game will be played at Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY. This is the first time in the history of the McDonald's All American Game that the state of Kentucky will host the event.

"We are proud to award this prestigious event to the city of Louisville and the McDonald's owner/operators of Kentuckiana," said Michon Ellis, McDonald's U.S. Communications. "McDonald's is very excited the 30th anniversary of the games will be hosted in a state that is known as the breeding ground for not only the greatest players who rule the game, but also, and more importantly, the fans that make it great. The regional passion for basketball added to Louisville's obvious charm as well as the great southern hospitality that was shown during the bid process."

The University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky combined have captured 40 former McDonald's All Americans for their respective rosters. The regionally located Indiana University, adds the additional talent of 16 former McDonald's All Americans.

The All American Game is nationally recognized as a showcase for the top high school basketball talent in the country. Annually, 24 boys and 24 girls are selected from a pool of more than 2,500 nominees nationwide. The final teams have the opportunity to become part of the long-standing tradition of the Game, while also raising money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities®.

The 30th Annual Boys Game and 6th Annual Girls Game will take place in late March 2007 at the often sold-out Freedom Hall, which will allow for over 19,000 fans to attend and enjoy the event. The games will be nationally televised.

"We are thrilled to be selected as hosts of the 2007 McDonalds All American Game," stated Art Davenport, McDonald's owner/operator from Louisville and Chairman of the 2007 Game. "Our community is excited about the opportunity to bring this event to Louisville -- a city with such a strong basketball tradition and heritage -- and most importantly, to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities."

The selection committee chaired by legendary coach Morgan Wootten, retired head coach of DeMartha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, and including renowned UCLA coach, John Wooden, selects the final team members in mid-February. Other notable alumni of the Game include current and former NBA stars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Vince Carter, Shaquille O'Neal, Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James; NCAA men's stars Charlie Villanueva, Shannon Brown and Chris Paul; and NCAA women's stars Ivory Latta, Shanna Zolman, Ann Strother and Katie Gearlds.

Throughout its history, the McDonald's All American Game's primary purpose as a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities has been fulfilled along side its ability to showcase high school's top basketball players. Proceeds from the 2007 Game will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana. Previous beneficiaries have included Sickle Cell Anemia Research, the United Negro College Fund and numerous local children's charities. Since the game was first played in 1978, more than $5 million has been raised for charity.

The 2006 McDonald's All American Game will be played Wednesday, March 29, at Cox Arena at San Diego State University. The McDonald's All American Boys Game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7 p.m. (PST) and the McDonald's All American Girls Game will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday, April 6, at 1 p.m. (EST).

For more information on the McDonald's All American Game, please visit www.mcdonalds.com and www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)3, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children through its network of local Charities currently serving in 32 countries. The Charity makes grants to not-for-profit organizations and provides support to Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles worldwide. To date, the national body and global network of the Ronald McDonald House Charities has awarded nearly $250 million to children's programs worldwide. For more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities and its global and local community efforts, visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Web site at www.rmhc.org or call 502.561.7658.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the world's leading food service retailer with more than 30,000 local McDonald's restaurants serving 47 million customers each day in more than 100 countries. More than 70 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

Source: McDonald's Restaurants of Kentuckiana

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