ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 22, 2006--EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service today announced that eight of the country's most avid football fans will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for watching TV the longest -- currently set at 69 hours and 48 minutes. 
 

It's all part of DISH Network's search for the Ultimate Football Fan that begins this Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Wynkoop Brewing Company in downtown Denver. The eight contestants will be parked in La-Z-Boy recliners in front of flat screen HDTVs watching nonstop football coverage until they break the Guinness World Record. Each contestant will take home great prizes including a La-Z-Boy recliner, a 32-inch Akai HDTV from Radio Shack, and DISH Network HD programming for a year. The contestant with the most endurance will win a trip for two to the 2007 Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

"The search for the DISH Network Ultimate Football Fan is shaping up to be the most awesome display of football fanaticism we've seen this year," said Jody Martin, senior vice president of Marketing for DISH Network. "These fans are the reason DISH Network offers football 24/7 and games every night of the week."

Contestants from Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Kansas City and St. Louis were chosen earlier this week by local radio stations who hosted their own contests to find the most outrageous fan.

Meet the Contestants

Charlotte's Ultimate Football Fan

John Dickson 'Trey' McMillan III

A Panthers fan by way of his grandmother, McMillan doesn't miss a game. When given a choice of food for his game-day fare, McMillan accepts nothing less than a heaping plate of nachos, so he has plenty to dig into as he watches his favorite player Julius Peppers tear up the other team's offense. If he had it his way, he'd spend a day in Steve Smith's shoes, just so he could see what it's like to be that fast.

Cleveland's Ultimate Football Fan

Leo Walsh

A huge Browns fan, Leo Walsh recently procured a piece of the bleachers from Cleveland Municipal Stadium -- a piece of history from a team he's revered for years. Walsh watches every game in his lucky Browns sweatshirt, banking on his favorite player Braylon Edwards to make game-winning plays.

Dallas' Ultimate Football Fan

Chris Chambers

Chris Chambers says his wife thinks his admiration for the Cowboys borders on psychotic, but that doesn't stop him from watching the 'boys play every week. A lifetime fan of the Cowboys, Chambers says the most amazing game he's been to is the "pickle juice" game where the Eagles claimed to have drunk pickle juice to stay hydrated and beat the Cowboys. His favorite players include Emmitt Smith, Roy Williams and Chuck Howley.

Denver's Ultimate Football Fan

Cameron Bosson

A lifetime Broncos fan, Cameron Bosson will wear the same clothing he wore to a winning game until the streak ends. His Fantasy Football team, "Shanahan's Shenanigans," is 1-1, but at least he's confident his Broncos will make their way to the playoffs in real life. His favorite player is former Broncos quarterback John Elway, and if he could sack any QB in the country, he'd sack Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons.

Green Bay's Ultimate Football Fan

Randy O'Brien

Randy O'Brien's love of the game came from within, but it didn't hurt that he married a woman with Green Bay season tickets. An avid Packers fan, O'Brien's favorite player is Brett Favre because, "he's down-to-earth and plays the game because he loves it."

Indianapolis' Ultimate Football Fan

Ray Bridges

Ray Bridges is known as 'The Tuba Guy' at the RCA Dome. Bridges has been an Indianapolis fan for decades. His favorite player is obviously Peyton Manning and his favorite memory is the 1996 AFC Championship game.

Kansas City's Ultimate Football Fan

Ty Rowton

Ty Rowton can't be missed in a crowd, as he's decked out head-to-toe in Chiefs paraphernalia (including his lucky Derrick Thomas buttons). He lives and dies by the Chiefs, having climbed a number of RVs and busses to lead pep rallies for other fans. His favorite player is Derrick Thomas, but he would have loved to be Len Dawson for a day to feel what it's like to lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win.

St. Louis' Ultimate Football Fan.

Steven Barton

While it may be a bit annoying to his wife, Steven Barton got his over-the-top love of the game from his father. His favorite player is #80 Isaac Bruce and his most memorable football moment is "The Immaculate Reception" -- the controversial play that gave the Steelers a win over the Raiders in the 1972 AFC playoffs.

The DISH Network Ultimate Football Fan Contest is being sponsored by DISH Network, La-Z-Boy, Radio Shack and the Wynkoop Brewing Company. For more information on DISH Network, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) serves more than 12.46 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network(TM), the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).