“Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” to Include 2010 Range Rover and Mike & Mike in the Morning from a Listener’s Home
Online Items and Experiences July 5-15; Day Long ESPN Radio On-Air Auction July 15

A new 2010 Range Rover luxury vehicle – the Autobiography specification valued at over $100,000* -- and ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning broadcasting from a listener’s home highlight the more than 275 items and experiences available for bid in the fifth annual “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” July 5-15.  Net proceeds from the auction benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

To view a complete list of auction items, visit the ESPN Radio website.

The majority of the experiences and items will be available through an online component via espnradio.com or ebay.com (July 5-15) – including the Range Rover, donated by Land Rover North America, and Mike & Mike in the Morning -- while 26 fan “experiences” will be auctioned in an 18-hour radiothon across ESPN Radio’s six national shows on Wednesday, July 15 beginning at 6 a.m. ET.

Bidding for the Range Rover, the first vehicle ever available in the auction, will begin at $50,000.  The 2010 Range Rover Autobiography – the Land Rover flagship vehicle -- will feature a series of enhanced elements, including updated exterior revisions providing a more contemporary detailing to the classic Range Rover design; a new 510 bhp supercharged engine; advanced interior technologies, including a virtual instrument panel; and active safety aids highlighted by Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring and a surround camera system.

For the second consecutive year, the Mike & Mike in the Morning experience will open at $0.99.  Last year’s experience, marking the first time it was offered, garnered a winning bid of $57,100, the largest for any item.  The popular morning program is hosted by Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 HD and espnradio.com.

ESPN Radio’s “experiences” will range from special access ticket packages to sporting events and trips to handing Lee Corso the mascot head from behind the College GameDay set to various events at ESPN’s headquarters.  Listeners call 1-800-4JimmyV to make bids with the highest bidder at 59 minutes past each hour winning the experience.  Items available online will include autographed jerseys, footballs, basketballs, baseballs, guitar, golf club and balls, helmets, books, collector’s player cards and photos.  Details of the other auction and online items and experiences are available on espnradio.com.

The fourth annual ESPN Radio “Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction” set a record by raising $1,130,314 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a 323% increase from the inaugural event’s total of $201,000 in 2005.  The event has raised more money each year ($435,770 in 2006 and $851,036 in 2007).

The event is one of Team ESPN’s corporate outreach initiatives which will coincide with the ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic on July 14 and the ESPYs July 15 (televised Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN HD).

Please visit the  ESPN Radio website for a complete list of silent and live auction items. 

ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is the country's largest sports radio network, providing more than 9,000 hours of talk and event content annually to more than 750 stations, including more than 350 full-time affiliates and owned stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Pittsburgh. ESPN Radio event programming features the NBA (and The Finals), MLB (and the World Series) and college football’s BCS (and regular-season schedule). Weekday studio programming includes: Mike and Mike in the Morning (Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic), 6-10 a.m. ET; The Herd with Colin Cowherd, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Tirico and Van Pelt (2-4 p.m.); The Doug Gottlieb Show (4-7 p.m.).

The V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator.  Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide.  It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs.  The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee.  For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets.  Through Team ESPN, ESPN employees and fans work together to make a difference in our world and the communities in which we live.  Team ESPN… Fans Helping Fans.  www.teamespn.com

*  Vehicle details:  The winner shall receive a 2010 Range Rover Autobiography, inclusive of all standard Autobiography content, standard color and trim options, as well as the Surround Camera System.  Additional charge color and trim options may be specified at the auction winners expense.

Media Contact: Mike Humes at (860) 766-2233; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it