Voting Begins 12/15 For Greatest Moments of 2008;
Winners to be revealed at LA Sports Awards on Jan. 23

LOS ANGELES (December 15, 2008) -- The Los Angeles Sports Council is asking Southern California sports fans to help select “The Greatest Moments in Sports” for 2008 in the Los Angeles/Orange County area. Through balloting at www.lasports.org fans can cast their vote in 18 different award categories.

Voting will take place from December 15 - January 15, and the winners will be revealed at the Sports Council’s fourth annual LA Sports Awards dinner and show from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on Friday, January 23, 2009.

For the third straight year the awards gala will air on FSN Prime Ticket (dates and times of broadcast TBA). Appearances by many notable athletes, coaches, broadcasters and team executives are expected.

Each specific team or university has nominated its top three “greatest moments” of the year. Fans may vote in any or all of 18 categories, but are not permitted to vote more than once.

A “moment” refers to anything from a specific instant in time -- such as a winning goal, hit or shot -- to a special event, individual or team record, or career achievement. Nominated moments must have taken place in the local area, or have involved a local athlete or team.

Additionally, a blue-ribbon media panel will select and rank the overall Top 10 moments of the year and also will select the Sportsman, Sportswoman, Sports Executive, Coach, and overall Greatest Moment of the Year. Those winners will be announced on the telecast as well.

To vote, go to www.lasports.org and click on the Greatest Moments icon at the top of the home page.

“The ‘Greatest Moments’ event is a continuation of our organization’s tradition of bringing our community together to honor the top sports achievements of the year,” said Sports Council Chairman Alan Rothenberg.

Previous winners are USC’s 2005 football national championship, Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006, and the Anaheim Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup victory. Past Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year honorees include Matt Leinart, Lisa Leslie, Elton Brand and Allyson Felix.

The “greatest moments” concept dates to 1995, when the Sports Council created a special event celebrating the “100 Greatest Moments in Los Angeles Sports History.” Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run was voted the No. 1 all-time moment.

This year’s event program includes a dinner, followed by the award presentations and video highlights. Winners will receive awards created by Tiffany & Co.

The “Greatest Moments” event is a fundraiser for the non-profit Sports Council, which will utilize the proceeds to further its mission of promoting economic development through sports in Southern California.

For dinner table or ticket information, contact Monica Maldonado at (213) 482-6352.

CONTACT: Mark Meyers (213) 482-6333

“Greatest Sports Moments of 2008”
Presented by the Los Angeles Sports Council

Award Categories

Greatest Moment of the Year for each of the following:

(As Selected by Fan Voting)

(As Selected by Media Panel)