COSTA MESA, Calif.--30 Jan--PRNewswire-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Tickets.com, a leading provider of integrated ticketing solutions, hasentered into a joint venture with China Sports Industry International (CSII) toprovide ticketing and ticketing-related services for sports and associatedmarkets in China, both companies announced today. "The global economy is growing by leaps and bounds, with China leading theway. Entering the Chinese live event ticketing market is a key part of ourglobalization strategy. We are extremely pleased to be partnering with acompany that has extensive experience working with the Chinese government, aswell as having a strong background in sports, culture, business, media andfinance," said Larry Witherspoon, CEO, Tickets.com. A cooperative venture company under the State General Administration ofSports, the governmental agency in charge of sports in China, Beijing-basedChina Sports Industry International is engaged in a wide range of sportsbusiness activities, including negotiating sports sponsorships, managing majorsports events, and developing commercial rights of stadiums. CSII alsoprovides international sports public relations services to high-end sportsclients. In addition to having strong support from the State GeneralAdministration of Sports, CSII has partnerships with internationalprofessional sports organizations, entertainment companies, and mediaagencies. "U.S. companies are increasingly looking to emerging markets like China asa vital source of growth, but to do so successfully require a keen insightinto the challenges, realities and dynamics of doing business here. We'relooking forward to helping Tickets.com navigate the complicated businesslandscape in China and are proud that the company has chosen CSII as itspartner," said Mr. Peng Liye, general manager, CSII. "Based on Tickets.com'sglobal vision, success in global markets, and international experience withthe Olympics, we're anticipating our joint venture to be highly beneficial toboth parties." Tickets.com has international offices in Australia and the U.K., whichprovide sales, support and technical services, and additional ticket salesoffices in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong and Singapore. A jointventure office is scheduled to open in Beijing during the first quarter of2008 to provide sales, support and technical services. About CSIIAs a cooperative venture company under the State General Administration ofSports, China Sports Industry International is an international andprofessional company engaging in a wide range of sports business fields. With global vision, industry insight, precise market positioning, andprofessional attitude, CSII provides authoritative and professional consultingservice to clients home and aboard. CSII is dedicated to maintaining thecompany's leading position by bringing in overseas high-profile sportingevents and creating professional sport brands with proprietary internationalproperty rights. About Tickets.comTickets.com is a premier event ticketing solutions and services providerfor thousands of top worldwide entertainment and sports venues. Tickets.comis a subsidiary of MLB Advanced Media, LP, the interactive media and InternetCompany of Major League Baseball. Press Contacts: North American Asia-Pacific Michael Martinez Ian English (714) 527-5625 +852 2739 1000 [email protected] +61 2 8536 4500 [email protected] SOURCE: Tickets.com CONTACT: North American, Michael Martinez, +1-714-527-5625, [email protected] , or Asia-Pacific, Ian English, +852 2739 1000, +61 2 8536 4500, [email protected] , both of Tickets.com Web site: http://www.tickets.com