Minnesota Wild Time line page15

[March 6, 1998] -- The Minnesota Wild in conjunction with First USA announced today that the organization is unleashing a unique opportunity for fans of the new National Hockey League (NHL) expansion team - the Minnesota Wild Mastercard card.

The Wild Mastercard will be introduced on Friday, March 6th, at the team's booth at the Let's Play Hockey Expo in Roy Wilkins Auditorium during the 1998 Minnesota State Boy's High School Hockey Tournament.

"With excitement building for Minnesota's new expansion team, this card is a great way for fans of the Minnesota Wild to show their support and enthusiasm in advance of our team taking the ice in the 2000-2001 season," said Jac Sperling, the Wild's CEO. "Our fans will also be enjoying the exceptional financial value that comes with the Minnesota Wild Mastercard."

This partnership marks the first-ever sponsorship agreement for the Minnesota Wild NHL franchise, and the earliest arrangement for First USA before a team begins play. Pursuant to club policy, financial details were not disclosed.

Applications for the no-annual-fee card, which features the Wild's new logo, will be available via a special toll-free number (1-800-451-2491). Fans who are approved for the card will receive a free Minnesota Wild T-shirt shortly after they receive their new card.

The Minnesota Wild Mastercard, available in Standard and Platinum versions, features a 4.9% introductory interest rate for five months, followed by a competitive 13.99% rate thereafter; a credit line of up to $100,000; a money-saving balance-transfer option; and a 24-hour, toll-free customer-service support.

First USA is a leader in sports marketing, issuing affinity cards for leading teams, organizations and governing bodies, including the PGA Tour, U.S. Soccer, Major League Soccer, the American Basketball League, U.S.A. Hockey, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Portland Trailblazers. First USA also issues affinity cards for six other National Hockey League teams -- the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins.

First USA ( www.firstusa.com ), a subsidiary of BANC ONE CORPORATION, is financial-services company specializing in the credit-card business and is among the largest providers of Visa, Mastercard and private-label credit cards in the nation.

Mastercard is an official corporate partner of the NHL.

The Minnesota Wild begin play in the NHL in the 2000-2001 season. The team will play in a new first-class arena in downtown Saint Paul.