FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (November 5, 1998) - Michael Levy, president and CEO of SportsLine USA, Inc., (Nasdaq: SPLN) one of the fastest-growing high tech companies in the southeast, has been inducted by The Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Engineering into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
In an awards presentation at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta last week, Levy, 51, was recognized as an alumnus who has made significant contributions to his profession, the Institute and the society-at-large. In evaluating individuals for the prestigious award, the Institute looks for individuals who are widely respected, recognized for their professional and personal success, actively involved in engineering or management, and who bring distinction to Georgia Tech. The College of Engineering began presenting alumni awards in 1994. There were 28 distinguished alumni inducted into the Academy at last week's ceremony.
In announcing the induction into the Academy, Georgia Tech President G. Wayne Clough said, "Seeing so many alumni who exemplify the essence of Georgia Tech - a strong technological education, a competitive spirit and a drive for excellence - makes me proud to be the president as well as an alumnus of this Institute. Your accomplishments, as well as your dedication to your professions, your communities and especially to Georgia Tech, have earned you a place in Georgia Tech history."
"I feel honored to be recognized in the company of the many distinguished individuals who have gone on to greatness following their education at Georgia Tech," said Levy. "The foundation I received as a student at Georgia Tech has served me very well throughout my entire career and I am fortunate indeed to have had the opportunity to study at such a fine institution."
In 1994, Michael Levy founded Fort Lauderdale-based SportsLine USA, Inc., publisher of CBS SportsLine, one of the most comprehensive sports information, entertainment and merchandising services on the Internet (http://cbs.sportsline.com).
Prior to starting SportsLine USA, Levy was CEO of Lexicon Corporation, a company he co-founded in 1976 to develop and market the world's first hand-held language translator. Under Levy, Lexicon went on to develop data communications terminals for the Department of Defense and Fortune 500 clients, as well as financial transaction terminals for major credit card issuers, banks and large retailers.
In 1988, Levy founded Sports-Tech International, Inc., a Lexicon subsidiary which developed the video analysis systems used by a majority of NFL and NBA teams, and over 150 collegiate sports programs. Mr. Levy left Lexicon and Sports-Tech in 1993 to focus his energies on the development of the SportsLine concept.
Prior to Lexicon, Levy held engineering management positions with Racal Datacom and Harris Corporation. Levy holds six patents for innovative high-tech products and was awarded a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1969.
The Academy of Distinguished Alumni distinction is the latest of many accolades Levy has received. Levy was named the 1997 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year in the Emerging Companies category by Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Services LLP, and was honored by the Interactive Services Association as the recipient of the 1997 Interactive Entrepreneur Award.
About SportsLine USA, Inc.
SportsLine USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLN) is a leading Internet-based sports media company that provides branded, interactive information and programming as well as merchandise to sports enthusiasts worldwide. SportsLine USA publishes CBS SportsLine, which features more than 400,000 pages of multimedia sports information, entertainment and merchandise covering all major professional, collegiate and international sports and includes exclusive content from sports teams, organizations and superstars such as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Shaquille O'Neal. SportsLine USA was founded in 1994, and its Internet sports service was renamed CBS SportsLine in March of 1997 as part of an exclusive five-year promotional and content agreement with CBS Sports.
CONTACT:
SportsLine USA, Inc.
Bret Werner/Jerry Milani
Alan Taylor Communications
(212) 714-1280
bret@alantaylor.com
jerry@alantaylor.com